Duolingo is a free app that helps users of all backgrounds learn basic foreign language skills. With countless languages to choose from, it’s no wonder this is such an active application for people across the globe. That being said, you might decide it’s time to permanently delete your Duolingo account.
In addition, if you’re completing your executor duties on behalf of a deceased loved one, you might also need to close someone else’s Duolingo account. Luckily, it’s relatively simple to delete your account or a loved one’s account in just a few steps.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- How to Delete Your Own Duolingo Account
- How to Delete a Deceased Loved One's Duolingo Account
- FAQs: Deleting a Duolingo Account
This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to permanently delete a Duolingo account, whether you have a free or paid plan. Staying mindful of your accounts is one of the most important parts of preparing your digital afterlife.
How to Delete Your Own Duolingo Account
If you’re looking to delete your own Duolingo account, this is a straightforward process. Whether you’ve already mastered your language courses or you no longer need the tool, follow the steps below.
Step 1. Choose between deletion and deactivation
When it comes to your Duolingo account, you have two options: deletion or deactivation. When you delete your account, all of your data will be permanently removed from the app. This deletes any progress you might have made in your individual language courses. After a 7-day grace period, account deletion cannot be undone.
On the other hand, account deactivation simply suspends your account. You can re-activate your account at any time by logging back in. While your account is deactivated, none of your forum posts will be visible and your profile will be private.
Step 2. Log in on a computer
Next, you’ll need to log in to your Duolingo account on a computer device. You cannot delete or deactivate your account from the smartphone app. Once logged in, go to “Account” and “Settings” to access your account information.
Here, you can easily click to disable or delete your account. However, if you want more control over your personal information, you’ll want to continue to the next step.
Step 3. Go to Duolingo’s Drive-Thru
The Duolingo Drive-Thru is a page dedicated to giving users control over their personal data. Once you’ve logged in to your account, click here to navigate to the Duolingo Drive-Thru.
You’ll have the option to download a copy of all of your personal data stored by Duolingo. Note that each request might take up to 30 days to be processed.
If you don’t need access to your data, click “Erase Personal Data” to delete your accounts and all personal data. This process also takes up to 30 days, and it cannot be undone.
Step 4. Cancel your paid subscription
If you’re paying for a Duolingo subscription through your smartphone (ie. Apple or Google), you’ll need to take additional steps to cancel your payment. Even if you’ve deleted or disabled your account, you could still be charged.
You’ll need to navigate to either the App Store (Apple iOS) or the Google Play Store. From here, you can check your specified payments to different apps and services. Cancel your payment to Duolingo to stop your paid Duolingo Plus subscription.
How to Delete a Deceased Loved One’s Duolingo Account
Deleting the Duolingo account for a deceased loved one is more of a challenge depending on your access to their account information. Here are the steps you need to know.
Step 1. Log in to their account
If you have access to your deceased loved one’s account through their email, phone, or a password manager, this makes the process easier. Once you log into their account, you can complete the steps above to delete or disable the account.
Ensure you also turn off email notifications to stop the regular alerts to practice daily language courses. In addition, you’ll want to ensure they didn’t have a paid subscription through their smartphone.
Step. 2. Contact support
If you don’t have access to your loved one’s email or account information, you’ll need to contact Duolingo support for assistance. There is a lengthy process to deleting or disabling someone’s account, and you’ll need to know how to get a death certificate and other documents.
To get personalized support, you’ll need to call Duolingo’s customer support line at (412) 567-6602. From there, they’ll guide you through any next steps to delete your loved one’s account. In the meantime, they might be able to halt email communications to avoid any unwanted messages to your loved one’s account.
FAQs: Deleting a Duolingo Account
Deleting any online account can sometimes be tricky, even if you don’t have a paid membership. These FAQs help shed light on the process.
How long does it take to delete a Duolingo account?
If you’re deleting an account, it can take anywhere from 7 to 30 days to complete this process. During this time, you can reactivate your account if you choose. However, once your account is deleted, your data will be gone.
What happens when you delete a Duolingo account?
When you delete your Duolingo account, all of your course progress, milestones, and forum posts are deleted. Any data saved in your account will be permanently removed, and you will no longer have access to it.
Can you temporarily deactivate a Duolingo account?
You can temporarily deactivate your Duolingo account by going to your account settings. Once there, click “Deactivate” to disable all of your Duolingo-related accounts. You can re-activate your account at any time by logging back in with your username and password.
Duolingo and Duolingo Plus: Manage Your Account
If you’re looking to delete or manage your Duolingo account for yourself or a loved one, the steps above are all you need. Duolingo makes it easy to understand and control your own privacy with their online Drive-Thru, but you’ll still want to know your options.
This is part of your digital legacy, and it’s how you make an impact online. Staying on top of your own accounts and your loved one’s accounts is a good practice to be in. How do you control your online data in this day and age? What accounts are most important to you?
Sources:
- “How can I deactivate my Duolingo account?” Duolingo Support. Duolingo.com.
- “How do I cancel my Duolingo Plus subscription?” Duolingo Support. Duolingo.com.