How to Report a Bug in Duolingo: A Practical Guide for Users and Product Teams

Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform that relies on a smooth user experience to keep learners motivated. When something doesn’t work as expected—whether it’s a crash, a wrong answer, or a problem with a feature—knowing how to report a bug can save time for both users and developers. In this guide, you will learn practical steps to report a bug in Duolingo effectively, what information to include, and how to follow up to increase the chances of a quick resolution. The goal is to make the process clear, actionable, and as stress-free as possible for everyone involved.

Why reporting a bug matters

Bug reports are more than a note about what went wrong. They help developers prioritize fixes, reproduce issues, and verify that a problem has been resolved. When a report is precise, it reduces back-and-forth and speeds up the debugging cycle. For learners, timely bug fixes translate into uninterrupted study sessions, better course accuracy, and a more reliable platform overall.

What qualifies as a bug

A bug is any malfunction or unexpected behavior that deviates from the intended app experience. Common examples include:

Crashes or freezes during lessons, drills, or tests.
Content errors such as incorrect translations, audio glitches, or missing words.
Sync problems between devices or platforms (web, iOS, Android).
Features not saving progress, streaks not updating, or reminders failing.
UI glitches like overlapping text, unresponsive buttons, or layout issues.
Payment or subscription issues, including failed renewals or incorrect billing.

Where to report a bug in Duolingo

Duolingo provides several channels for reporting issues. Using the right channel increases visibility and speeds up response times. Here are the most reliable options:

In-app help center: Most users should start here. Navigate to the Help or Settings menu and look for “Report a Bug” or “Contact Support.”
Community forums: The Duolingo Community often hosts discussions about bugs. A clear report can attract attention from moderators and experienced users who can confirm reproducibility.
Official social channels: When a bug affects many users, Duolingo’s official Twitter/X or other social accounts may share status updates or workarounds.
Bug bounty or feedback portals: Some platforms have dedicated portals for feature requests and bug reports. If you encounter a critical issue, this route can be appropriate.

What to include in a high-quality bug report

To increase your chances of a quick fix, structure your report with precise, actionable information. Consider including the following:

A concise title: Summarize the issue in a few words (e.g., “App crashes when starting a new lesson on Android 12”).
Device and app details: Provide your device model, operating system version, app version, and whether you’re on Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Steps to reproduce: List the exact sequence of actions that leads to the bug. Use numbers or bullet points and keep steps repeatable.
Expected vs. actual results: Explain what you expected to happen and what actually happened.
Frequency and timing: Note how often the bug occurs (every time, occasionally, after a specific action) and the time of day it tends to appear if relevant.
Screenshots and screen recordings: Visual evidence helps engineers understand the issue. Include clear images showing the problem, error messages, or the UI state.
Logs or error codes: If available, provide any error codes, crash IDs, or log snippets. Do not share sensitive information.
Impact on your study: Briefly describe how the bug affects your learning experience (e.g., loss of progress, inability to complete a lesson).

Examples of well-structured bug reports

Below are two concise examples to illustrate how to present information clearly:

Example 1: “Crash on Android when opening a new lesson”

Steps to reproduce: 1) Open Duolingo app on Android 11, 2) Tap a new lesson from the home screen, 3) App crashes to the home screen with no error message.

Expected: The lesson loads normally. Actual: The app closes unexpectedly. Frequency: every time I start a new lesson. Device: Samsung Galaxy S20, Android 11. App version: 6.22.0. Impact: I cannot continue with lessons for today.

Example 2: “Streak not updating after completing a lesson”

Steps: 1) Complete a lesson, 2) Return to the home screen, 3) Check streak counter—streak remains at previous value. Expected: Streak increases by 1. Actual: Streak does not update. Frequency: after every completed lesson today. Device: iPhone 12, iOS 15.4. App version: 10.8.2. Screenshots: attached. Impact: learning motivation affected.

Tips for effective bug reporting

Be timely: Report problems soon after they occur. Fresh context improves reproduction chances.
Be precise: Avoid vague statements like “it doesn’t work.” Describe what you did and what happened.
Test with a clean slate: If possible, reproduce the issue after restarting the device or reinstalling the app to verify it’s not a local glitch.
Check for related issues: Look through the help center or forums to see if others report the same bug and note any workarounds.
Include a workaround: If you found a temporary fix, share it. It can help other users and reduce frustration while waiting for a fix.

Best practices for user privacy and safety

When sharing bug reports, avoid exposing personal or sensitive information. Do not include passwords, payment details, or private messages. If you include logs or diagnostic data, scrub any personal identifiers. Respecting privacy helps build trust between users and the platform while enabling accurate bug diagnosis.

What happens after you submit a bug report

Once a report is received, the Duolingo team typically reviews it for reproducibility and impact. Depending on the issue, you may see one or more of the following outcomes:

Acknowledgment and a request for additional details
Assignment to a development or QA team for reproduction in a test environment
A status update, indicating that a fix is scheduled or already implemented
A workaround or temporary solution shared with users till a permanent fix is deployed

Patience is important. Major platform updates may require more time, but clear and consistent bug reports increase the likelihood of a timely response and fix.

How to follow up effectively

If you don’t hear back within a reasonable period, consider the following steps to follow up without being disruptive:

Review your initial report for completeness. Missing steps or details are common reasons for delays.
Provide any new information you’ve observed since your first report, including changes in device, OS, or app version.
Ask for a status update politely and reference your original report title or ID if available.
Share any temporary workarounds you’ve discovered. This helps other users and reduces collective friction.

Integrating bug reporting into your learning workflow

For frequent Duolingo users, establishing a consistent bug-reporting habit can be part of a broader learning workflow. Consider these ideas:

Keep a simple log of issues and their status, updated after each app session.
Create a checklist before starting a study session to rule out common causes of disruption (e.g., network connectivity, app updates).
Share reproducible issues with a small group of fellow learners to validate whether others experience the same problem.

Conclusion: turning issues into improvements

Reporting a bug in Duolingo is not just about highlighting a problem; it is a chance to contribute to a better learning tool. When users report bugs with clear steps, precise device information, and supporting visuals, they help engineers reproduce and fix issues faster. As a result, learners can enjoy a smoother, more reliable experience that supports consistent practice and meaningful progress. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can perform the Duolingo report bug process efficiently, reduce back-and-forth, and help the community thrive.