How to cancel Duolingo in new zealand and reclaim your money
Understanding Duolingo and why you might want to leave
Duolingo is a mobile-first language-learning platform that delivers bite-sized lessons across dozens of languages. You can use the free version with advertisements, or upgrade to Super Duolingo, which removes ads, grants unlimited hearts for mistakes, and unlocks AI conversation features. The service operates globally and attracts millions of New Zealand users who value its gamified approach to language acquisition.
However, if the app hasn't delivered the learning outcomes you expected, or your schedule no longer permits regular use, cancelling is straightforward once you know the correct procedure. At Yafee, we understand that many New Zealand consumers struggle to locate their subscription details or navigate the cancellation process across multiple platforms. The key to a smooth cancellation is identifying where you originally subscribed and acting promptly if you want a refund.
How duolingo's subscription model works
Duolingo charges you automatically each month or year, depending on which plan you selected. Your subscription renews until you actively cancel it. Crucially, you must cancel through the exact platform where you originally paid. If you subscribed on your iPhone, you cancel on your iPhone. If you bought Super Duolingo via the website, you cancel on the website. This multi-platform structure confuses many users, so Yafee recommends checking your email receipt or your device's payment history first to confirm where your subscription began.
Why cancellation timing matters
If you're not using Duolingo regularly, each day you delay costs you money. A typical year-long Super Duolingo subscription costs approximately NZ$150, which works out to roughly NZ$0.41 per day. Even a few extra weeks of unused access accumulates quickly, so cancelling promptly protects your wallet.
Your consumer rights when cancelling Duolingo in new zealand
New Zealand consumer law affords you significant protections when you subscribe to digital services, and Duolingo must comply with these rules regardless of where the company is based.
The consumer guarantees act and your refund entitlements
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have the right to expect that services (including digital subscriptions) are of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and delivered within a reasonable time. If Duolingo fails on any of these fronts, you may be entitled to a refund or remedy. For example, if the app crashes frequently, if promised features (such as AI conversation) don't function correctly, or if you were misled about what Super Duolingo includes, these breaches give you grounds to request a refund from Duolingo directly.
Your legal position: You can escalate to the Commerce Commission if Duolingo refuses to cooperate. Additionally, if you cancel within 14 days of purchase and can demonstrate you haven't substantially used the service, platform refund policies (Apple App Store and Google Play) often favour you. Yafee recommends documenting your usage patterns (or lack thereof) in screenshots before requesting a refund, as this evidence strengthens your claim.
The commerce commission as your escalation point
If Duolingo denies your refund request and you believe you have a valid claim under the Consumer Guarantees Act, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission (ComCom). The ComCom investigates breaches of consumer law and can compel refunds if warranted. Visit www.comcom.govt.nz to file a complaint. Include your receipt, cancellation confirmation, and a detailed explanation of why you believe the service failed to meet acceptable standards. The ComCom's intervention is free and carries legal weight in New Zealand.
Pricing and subscription plans at a glance
Understanding your current plan helps you decide whether cancellation is the right choice.
| Plan type |
Billing cycle |
Approximate NZD cost |
Key features |
| Free Duolingo |
Ongoing |
NZ$0 |
Advertisements, limited hearts per day, basic lessons |
| Super Duolingo (monthly) |
Monthly |
NZ$15-18 |
No ads, unlimited hearts, AI features, offline access |
| Super Duolingo (annual) |
Annual (billed upfront) |
NZ$120-150 |
No ads, unlimited hearts, AI features, offline access, best value |
| Super Duolingo (seasonal promotion) |
Variable |
NZ$90-110 (annual) |
No ads, unlimited hearts, AI features, limited-time discount |
How to cancel Duolingo depending on where you subscribed
Your cancellation process depends entirely on which platform holds your subscription. Follow the correct steps for your situation below. Yafee has guided thousands of New Zealand users through each of these pathways, so you're not alone if you find the process unclear initially.
Cancelling Duolingo on iPhone or iPad via the apple app store
If you subscribed through your Apple device, you must cancel there. Apple processes the cancellation and issues any refunds directly.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap your name at the top of the screen.
- Select "Subscriptions".
- Find Duolingo in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap "Manage" next to the Duolingo entry.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm your cancellation by selecting "Confirm Cancellation".
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Apple.
- This typically arrives within minutes.
- Save this confirmation for your records.
- Request a refund if you cancelled within 14 days and haven't substantially used the service.
- Use Apple's "Report a Problem" feature in the App Store.
- Explain your reason and attach your cancellation confirmation.
- Apple typically responds within 48 hours.
Cancelling Duolingo on android via google play
If you subscribed through an Android device, Google Play handles your cancellation and refunds. The process is nearly identical to Apple's.
- Open the Google Play app on your Android device.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Manage subscriptions".
- Locate Duolingo in your list of active subscriptions.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Review the cancellation notice.
- Complete the cancellation by selecting "Cancel subscription" again.
- Google may offer you a discount to retain your subscription; decline if you wish to proceed.
- Confirm your cancellation via email from Google Play.
- Request a refund if applicable.
- Open Google Play, tap your profile, and select "Payments and subscriptions".
- Choose "Billing settings", then "Subscriptions".
- Find Duolingo, tap it, and select "Cancel and request a refund".
- Explain your reason (e.g., service quality, unused subscription).
Cancelling Duolingo via the website (Duolingo.com)
If you subscribed directly through Duolingo's website using a credit card or PayPal, you must cancel online.
- Visit www.duolingo.com and sign into your account.
- Use the email address associated with your subscription.
- Navigate to your account settings.
- Click the profile icon (usually in the top right corner).
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Find the "Subscription" or "Billing" section.
- Look for "Manage your subscription" or a similar link.
- Locate your active Super Duolingo subscription.
- Click "Cancel subscription" or "Manage plan".
- Confirm your cancellation.
- Duolingo will ask if you want to cancel; confirm your choice.
- You'll receive a confirmation email within minutes.
- Request a refund if you cancelled within 14 days of purchase.
- Reply to the cancellation email explaining your request (e.g., "Service not as described" or "Unused subscription").
- Include your original receipt or order confirmation number.
- Allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Cancelling via third-party payment platforms (e.g., stripe, PayPal)
If you paid through a third-party gateway, check your payment method account rather than the Duolingo app or website.
- Log into your PayPal account (if you used PayPal).
- Click "Settings" in the top right corner.
- Select "Payments" from the left menu.
- Choose "Subscriptions and agreements".
- Find Duolingo and click "Cancel".
- For credit card payments, contact Duolingo support directly.
- Email: [email protected]
- Provide your email address, order confirmation number, and request cancellation.
- Allow 5-7 business days for processing.
Refund timelines and what to expect after cancellation
After you cancel, your subscription ends on its next billing date. You retain access to Super Duolingo features until that date, after which you revert to the free version. Refunds depend on when you cancelled and which platform processed the charge.
If you cancelled within 14 days of your original purchase and the refund is approved, Apple and Google typically issue refunds within 5-10 business days. If you requested a refund from Duolingo directly (for website subscriptions), allow 10-14 business days. Yafee advises checking your bank account or email receipt regularly to confirm the refund has been credited. If 14 days pass without a refund, contact the relevant payment processor or the Commerce Commission.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Many New Zealand users accidentally keep their subscriptions active or forfeit refund eligibility through simple errors. Don't let this happen to you.
Mistake 1: cancelling in the wrong location. If you subscribed on your phone but try to cancel on the website, your cancellation won't register. Always cancel where you originally signed up. Check your payment email or statement to confirm the platform.
Mistake 2: delaying a refund request. You have only 14 days from purchase to request a refund under most platform policies. If you wait longer, you forfeit your right to a refund unless you can prove the service failed to meet quality standards (Consumer Guarantees Act). Act immediately once you decide to cancel.
Mistake 3: not confirming your cancellation. Always save your cancellation confirmation email. If Duolingo claims you're still subscribed and charges you again, this email is your proof of cancellation. Yafee recommends taking a screenshot of the confirmation screen as well.
Mistake 4: ignoring billing history. Before cancelling, review your recent charges in your payment method's account (Apple, Google, PayPal, or your bank). If you see duplicate charges or unexpected amounts, note this in your refund request. You may be entitled to a refund for erroneous charges under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
After cancellation: what happens to your progress and data
Cancelling your Super Duolingo subscription does not delete your account or your learning progress. You revert to the free version but retain access to all your completed lessons, streaks, and achievements. Your learning history remains stored indefinitely, so you can resume paid access at any time without losing your progress.
If you want to delete your account entirely, you can do so through your account settings (this is separate from cancelling your subscription). Duolingo will warn you that deletion is permanent, so proceed only if you're certain. Yafee recommends backing up any personal notes or milestones you want to keep before deleting.
Comparison table: when to cancel versus when to keep your subscription
| Scenario |
Cancel? |
Reason |
| You use Duolingo 5+ times per week |
Keep |
Regular use justifies the NZ$15-18 monthly cost or NZ$120-150 annual cost |
| You haven't used it in 2+ weeks |
Cancel |
Inactive subscriptions waste money; you can restart anytime |
| The app crashes or key features don't work |
Cancel + claim refund |
Service quality failure; eligible for refund under Consumer Guarantees Act |
| You're trialling the free version instead |
Cancel |
Free Duolingo delivers the core lesson experience without cost |
| You subscribed by accident or within 14 days ago |
Cancel immediately |
You have a 14-day refund window; act now to preserve your right to claim |
| You're using a competitor app (e.g., Babbel, Rosetta Stone) |
Cancel |
No value in dual subscriptions; concentrate on one platform for best results |
If you've followed the above steps and your subscription remains active (or if you encounter technical errors), contact Duolingo support directly. The official email address is [email protected]. Include the following information in your message:
- Your full name and email address associated with the account.
- Your order or subscription confirmation number (from your receipt).
- The date you attempted to cancel and the platform (iPhone, Android, website, etc.).
- A screenshot of your current subscription status showing that it's still active.
- Your request (e.g., "Cancel my subscription" or "Issue a refund for the charge on [date]").
Duolingo typically responds to support requests within 24-48 hours. If they decline to cancel or refund, you have the right to escalate to the Commerce Commission by filing a complaint at www.comcom.govt.nz. Include copies of all correspondence with Duolingo, your payment receipts, and a summary of why you believe the company has breached the Consumer Guarantees Act.
Your next steps
Cancelling Duolingo is quick once you identify the correct platform and follow the procedural steps above. If you're within 14 days of your original purchase and believe the service failed to meet acceptable standards, request a refund immediately. Save all confirmation emails and screenshots as evidence. If Duolingo refuses to cooperate, the Commerce Commission will investigate your complaint at no cost.
Yafee has helped thousands of New Zealand consumers cancel subscriptions they no longer need and reclaim their money when companies fail to deliver on their promises. Whether you're switching to a competitor app, taking a break from language learning, or simply tightening your household budget, the steps above will guide you through the process. Act today to stop the charges and protect your right to a refund.