Encountering a glitch or needing to reset your progress are common scenarios for dedicated language learners using Duolingo. Whether the app feels sluggish or you wish to start a new language journey, knowing how to restart Duolingo effectively is essential. This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions to navigate the process smoothly on any device.
Understanding What "Restarting" Means on Duolingo
Before initiating a reset, it is crucial to define your objective clearly. The term "restart" can refer to two distinct actions: refreshing the application to solve minor bugs or completely wiping your progress to begin again. A simple refresh resolves temporary crashes, while a factory reset erases your data entirely. Confusing these actions could lead to unnecessary data loss, so proceed with intention.
How to Restart the Duolingo App (Soft Reset)
A soft restart, or force quit, is the first troubleshooting step for performance issues. This action closes the app completely, clearing its temporary memory and often resolving lag or freezing. It is a safe operation that preserves all your learning data, including XP, gems, and completed lessons.
For Mobile Devices
iOS: Swipe up from the bottom of your screen and pause in the middle to open the app switcher. Swipe the Duolingo card up to close it.
Android: Tap the square or recent apps button. Find the Duolingo card and swipe it away or tap the "X" to close it.
For Web Browsers
Simply close the browser tab or window. If the page is unresponsive, use the browser's refresh button (usually a circular arrow) to reload the page and re-establish a connection to the servers.
How to Restart Duolingo Progress (Hard Reset)
If you aim to revert to a beginner state or create a new profile, you must delete your account. This action is irreversible and deletes every lesson, streak, and gem associated with that email. Ensure you have backed up any essential notes before proceeding, as there is no option to recover deleted accounts.
Step-by-Step Account Deletion Process
Duolingo does not offer a direct delete button within the mobile app settings. You must use a web browser on a computer to submit a request. Follow these steps carefully to initiate the deletion of your data.
1
Log into the Duolingo website on a desktop browser.
2
Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "Settings."
3
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Delete Account."
4
Enter your password when prompted and confirm the deletion reason.
5
Click "Delete My Account" to finalize the request.
Reinstalling the Application
After the deletion request is processed, you can remove the app from your device and reinstall it. On mobile, hold the icon and select "Remove" or "Uninstall," or use the app store manager on your device. Reinstalling ensures you start with a clean slate free of cached data.
