How to Delete a Course on Duolingo: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re wondering how to delete a course on Duolingo, you’re not alone. Many users want to clean up their language learning dashboard or switch to different courses. While Duolingo doesn’t make this process immediately obvious, it is possible to remove courses from your profile. This guide will walk you through the exact steps for both mobile and desktop versions, explain what happens when you delete a course, and provide alternative solutions if you’re having trouble.
Table of Contents
- Why Would You Want to Delete a Duolingo Course?
- What to Know Before Deleting a Course
- How to Delete a Course on Duolingo Mobile App
- How to Remove a Course on Duolingo Desktop
- Troubleshooting: When You Can’t Delete a Course
- Alternatives to Deleting a Course
- Final Thoughts on Managing Your Duolingo Courses
Why Would You Want to Delete a Duolingo Course?
There are several valid reasons why you might need to know how to delete a course on Duolingo:
- Simplifying your dashboard – Too many courses can feel overwhelming
- Changing language focus – You might want to concentrate on one language
- Accidental additions – Maybe you added a course by mistake
- Starting fresh – Some learners prefer to reset their progress
- Account cleanup – Removing old or unused courses
What to Know Before Deleting a Course
Before you proceed with deleting a Duolingo course, there are some important considerations:
Progress Will Be Lost
When you delete a course, all your progress in that language will be permanently erased. This includes:
- Completed lessons
- Skill levels
- Streaks related to that course
- Any crowns or XP earned
Some Courses Can’t Be Deleted
Duolingo has certain restrictions:
- Your first course cannot be deleted (but can be reset)
- Courses with active Plus subscriptions may have different rules
- Some language combinations have special requirements
How to Delete a Course on Duolingo Mobile App
Follow these steps to remove a course using the Duolingo mobile app:
- Open the Duolingo app on your smartphone
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
- Select Settings (gear icon)
- Choose Manage Courses
- Find the course you want to remove and tap the trash can icon
- Confirm your selection when prompted
Note: If you don’t see a delete option, the course may be your primary one or have special restrictions.
How to Remove a Course on Duolingo Desktop
The process for desktop browsers is slightly different:
- Go to duolingo.com and log in
- Click on your profile picture in the top right
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu
- Scroll down to the Learning Language section
- Click Manage Courses
- Find the course to delete and click the X icon
- Confirm the deletion when prompted
Why the Desktop Method Might Be Better
Some users find the desktop version offers more options:
- Clearer interface for managing multiple courses
- Easier to see all available options
- Sometimes shows courses that don’t appear on mobile
Troubleshooting: When You Can’t Delete a Course
If you’re having trouble deleting a Duolingo course, try these solutions:
If the Delete Option Is Missing
- Try using the desktop version instead of mobile
- Ensure you’re not trying to delete your primary course
- Check if you have any active streaks in that course
Alternative Solutions
If you can’t delete the course, consider:
- Resetting the course – Keeps it on your profile but erases progress
- Archiving the course – Some versions allow this
- Contacting Duolingo support – They can sometimes help with deletions
Alternatives to Deleting a Course
If you’re hesitant about permanently deleting your course, consider these options:
Resetting a Course
This maintains the course on your profile but erases all progress:
- Go to the course you want to reset
- Click on the Settings (gear icon)
- Select Reset or remove languages
- Choose Reset Progress
Changing Course Order
You can rearrange courses to prioritize your current focus:
- Drag and drop courses on desktop
- Use the “Change Course” option on mobile
Final Thoughts on Managing Your Duolingo Courses
Now that you know how to delete a course on Duolingo, you can better manage your language learning journey. Remember that deletion is permanent, so consider resetting instead if you might return to that language later. The process differs slightly between mobile and desktop, with the desktop version often offering more flexibility.
If you found this guide helpful, consider sharing it with other Duolingo users who might be struggling with course management. Have you had any interesting experiences with deleting or resetting Duolingo courses? Share your thoughts in the comments below