How do I cancel a Duolingo free trial?

Cancel **before** the trial end date to avoid the auto-charge. In-app: **Settings → Manage Subscription → Cancel**. iOS trials: **Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → Duolingo → Cancel**. Android: **Play Store → Subscriptions → Duolingo → Cancel**. You keep trial access until the trial period ends. Set a calendar reminder 24 hours before the trial expires — Duolingo charges the full plan price immediately on day one of renewal.

Why am I still being charged after cancelling Duolingo?

Most common cause: you cancelled in the Duolingo app but originally subscribed through Apple or Google, so the store is still billing you. Check **App Store Subscriptions** (iOS) or **Play Store Subscriptions** (Android) and cancel there. Second cause: you cancelled after the renewal date — the next charge had already processed. Request a refund through the relevant store.

Does Duolingo charge a cancellation fee?

No. Duolingo doesn't charge a fee to cancel Super or Max. You simply lose access to premium features at the end of the period you've already paid for. If you're being asked to pay anything to cancel, you're not on a real Duolingo flow — verify you're in the official app or at **duolingo.com**.

What happens if Duolingo ignores my cancellation request?

First, confirm where you originally subscribed — Apple, Google, or Duolingo direct — and cancel in the right place. Screenshot the confirmation. If charges continue, request a refund from that billing channel. As a last resort, file a chargeback with your card issuer (UK Section 75 if the purchase was £100+ on credit card, or US/EU card dispute rights), and report the issue to Duolingo support with your screenshots.

REFUND GUIDE

How to Get a Duolingo Refund After Auto-Renewal.

Here's what Duolingo actually owes you, what their policy quietly says, and how to escalate — by country — if they ignore the request.

Last verified yesterday against Duolingo’s own Terms · UK, US, and EU rights covered below

The short answer

Duolingo generally does not offer prorated refunds for the unused portion of a subscription period; you keep access until the term ends. Refunds for App Store purchases must be requested from Apple, and Google Play purchases from Google. Web purchases via Duolingo may be reviewed case-by-case by support.

Or let yoink chase the refund.

30 seconds to set up. yoink emails Duolingo, cites the policy, escalates if ignored, and surfaces the win when the money lands.

Get yoink (App Store) →

Duolingo’s refund policy

Duolingo’s own refund policy isn’t prominently documented. That doesn’t mean you have no rights — most jurisdictions give you a statutory cancel-and-refund window on new subscriptions (14 days in the UK / EU, US auto-renewal protections vary by state). See “What you can claim, by region” below for the angle that applies where you live.

What you can claim, by region

Consumer law varies by where you live. The strongest hook for your country is the one to lead with when you contact the company — pick the one that applies and quote it in your email.

United States

Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA)
Dispute any credit-card charge in writing within 60 days.
For US credit-card payments, the FCBA gives you 60 days from the statement date to dispute a Duolingo charge in writing. Your card issuer is required to investigate and may withhold the disputed amount during the process.
California ARL refund right
Refund if cancel was blocked or unclear.
If Duolingo made it hard to cancel under California ARL, you’re entitled to a refund of charges taken since the obstruction. Multiple class actions (including against Adobe + Hulu) have set the precedent.
FTC enforcement actions
FTC has won refunds against subscription dark-patterns.
The FTC has secured $100M+ in refunds from companies running dark-pattern cancel flows (Amazon Prime, Vonage). Document Duolingo’s flow, file at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

United Kingdom

Section 75, Consumer Credit Act
Credit card issuer is jointly liable. £100-£30,000.
For UK credit-card charges between £100 and £30,000, your card issuer is jointly liable with Duolingo for any breach. Call your bank, say “Section 75 claim”, send evidence. Usually resolved in 2-4 weeks.
Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013
Full refund within the 14-day window.
Inside 14 days of starting any Duolingo subscription, you’re entitled to a full refund of any payment taken — no questions, no policy override.
Citizens Advice + Trading Standards
For repeated bad-faith refusals.
Free escalation lane: file with Citizens Advice (08082231133), they pass it to Trading Standards. Slow (8-12 weeks) but creates a paper trail Duolingo can’t ignore.

European Union

Consumer Rights Directive 2011/83/EU
14-day withdrawal across all EU member states.
EU-wide statutory right to withdraw and recover any payment within 14 days of subscription start. Mirrored in local law in every EU country.
ECC-Net cross-border escalation
EU Consumer Centre network mediates against EU sellers.
If Duolingo is based in another EU country, your local European Consumer Centre will mediate the dispute for free. List of national contacts at commission.europa.eu.

Worldwide

Card-issuer chargeback
Visa/Mastercard chargeback works everywhere they do.
Open a chargeback for “subscription not cancelled” or “services not as described” — your bank initiates, Duolingo has ~45 days to defend. Works regardless of where Duolingo is headquartered.
PayPal Buyer Protection
If you paid via PayPal, open a dispute.
PayPal’s Buyer Protection covers “item not as described” — applies to subscription services that didn’t deliver. Resolution typically within 20 days.

The 4-step refund email

Email the right address
Use support@duolingo.com — the route yoink has verified actually gets read for Duolingo.
Use a clear subject line
Subject: Refund Request — [your account email]

Send this body

Hi Duolingo team,

I'm writing to request a refund for my recent Duolingo subscription charge.

Under applicable consumer-protection law (the UK Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, EU Directive 2011/83/EU, or US state auto-renewal laws — whichever applies in my jurisdiction), I'm exercising my right to cancel and to recover the payment in full. Please confirm by reply that the cancellation has taken effect and that the refund will be processed to my original payment method.

If your policy allows a pro-rata refund for any unused service, I'd appreciate that being applied here.

Best,
[your name]

Wait 7-14 days, then escalate
If you haven’t heard back in 14 days, see “If they refuse” below — Section 75 is the next stop.

Refund FAQ for Duolingo

Duolingo itself rarely issues prorated refunds — their stance is that access continues until the period ends. If you paid via the **App Store**, request a refund at **reportaproblem.apple.com**. For **Google Play**, use **play.google.com/store/account** → Order history → Report a problem. Web purchases: email Duolingo support and cite an accidental charge, auto-renewal you didn't authorise, or your statutory rights (UK/EU 14-day cooling-off if you haven't started using the service).