How to Delete a Course on Duolingo: Complete Guide
To delete a course on Duolingo, open your profile settings, navigate to “Courses,” find the course you want to remove, and tap or click the delete button. Remember that this action permanently erases your progress.
Duolingo makes learning languages fun, but sometimes you need to remove a course from your profile. Maybe your sibling added the wrong language, or you want to start fresh. Whatever your reason, this guide covers everything about deleting Duolingo courses safely and effectively.
Why You Might Need to Delete a Duolingo Course
Life changes, and so do your language learning needs. Here are common reasons why you might want to clear a course:
- Your little brother added Korean while playing with your phone
- You started Spanish but realize Portuguese fits your needs better
- The course uses a base language you don’t understand
- Your dashboard feels cluttered with inactive courses
- You want to restart your progress from scratch
Before You Delete: Important Considerations
Understanding What You’ll Lose
Hitting that delete button has permanent effects:
- All your lesson progress disappears
- Your XP from the course vanishes
- Course-specific achievements get erased
- Your streak might end if it’s your only active course
Backing Up Your Progress
Take these steps before deleting your course:
- Screenshot your progress tree
- Write down completed skills
- Save any useful notes you’ve made
- Record your current level
This backup helps if you ever return to the language later.
Step-by-Step: Deleting Courses on Mobile Devices
How to Delete on iOS
- Open your Duolingo app
- Tap your profile picture
- Select the gear icon (Settings)
- Scroll to “Courses”
- Tap the red delete button next to your course
- Confirm deletion
How to Delete on Android
The steps match the iOS process:
- Launch Duolingo
- Click your profile
- Find Settings
- Choose “Courses”
- Select the course
- Tap “Delete course”
- Confirm your choice
Desktop Guide: Removing Duolingo Courses
Browser-Based Deletion Process
Desktop users can remove courses through these steps:
- Visit duolingo.com
- Log into your account
- Click your profile picture
- Select “Settings”
- Choose “Courses” from the menu
- Find your course
- Click “Remove”
- Confirm deletion
Special Cases and Solutions
Deleting Your Only Course
Duolingo requires at least one active course. To delete your last course:
- Add a new course first
- Delete the unwanted course
- Choose a course in your preferred base language
Multiple Course Management
Managing several languages? Try these tips:
- Keep your most-used languages
- Remove inactive courses
- Organize by learning priority
- Focus on two languages max for better results
After Deletion: What to Expect
Your profile changes after removing a course:
- The language disappears from your dashboard
- Total XP decreases
- Progress resets if you add the course again
- Achievements adjust to reflect the change
Alternatives to Course Deletion
Sometimes deletion isn’t your best option. Consider these alternatives:
Temporary Solutions
- Lower your daily goal to 1 XP
- Use streak freezes during breaks
- Switch focus to another language
- Keep the course inactive
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my deleted course progress? No, course deletion permanently erases progress. Start fresh if you add the course again.
Will deleting a course affect my overall Duolingo level? Yes, your XP total decreases by the amount earned in that course.
How do I delete a course in another base language? Switch your interface language to match the base language first, then follow the normal deletion steps.
Can I delete multiple courses at once? No, you must remove courses one at a time.
Tips for Better Course Management
Organizing Your Learning Journey
Smart course management helps you learn better:
- Stick to 1-2 languages at a time
- Remove courses you haven’t used in months
- Keep your dashboard clean and focused
- Test new languages before committing
Consider these strategies for course organization:
- Monthly course review
- Clear goals for each language
- Regular progress checks
- Clean-up schedule
Making the Most of Your Duolingo Experience
Whether keeping or removing courses, try these tips:
- Set realistic daily goals
- Join clubs for motivation
- Use stories to improve comprehension
- Practice consistently
- Focus on one language at a time
Remember to balance your learning:
- Don’t overload with too many courses
- Keep what truly interests you
- Remove distracting courses
- Stay focused on your goals
Final Thoughts
Deleting a Duolingo course might feel scary, but sometimes it’s the right choice for your language journey. Think carefully before deleting, back up your progress, and follow the right steps for your device. Keep your learning path clean and focused on your current goals.
Take control of your language learning adventure. Whether starting fresh or clearing old courses, managing your Duolingo profile helps you stay motivated and engaged. Happy learning!
