Millions of people worldwide use Duolingo to learn a new language, and the app has had a pretty recognizable interface for much of its existence. In 2022, however, the company decided to make a dramatic change in this respect.
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You might have noticed that your interface on Duolingo for iOS and iPad looks slightly different. Getting to grips with everything that’s changed can be a little confusing; we’ll outline the most important things to keep in mind below.
Contents
- The End of the Duolingo Tree
- Legendary Mode Looks Different
- Guidebooks
- Scroll Back to the Top
- Stories Aren’t a Standalone Feature Anymore
- Does My Duolingo Progress Reset Once I Receive the New Interface?
- Are Duolingo’s New Interface Features Only Going to Be on iOS?
- Wrapping Up: Duolingo’s Interface Has a Lot to Get Used To
The End of the Duolingo Tree
The most significant Duolingo interface update is that the famous tree format no longer exists. With the tree, you would typically have a certain number of lessons on each branch. Now, however, you will progress from one lesson to the next; the app interface looks more like a stepping stone.
You might find this quite confusing, to begin with, especially if you see that you have fewer XP on something. Completed lessons have a tick, for which you’ll get 5 XP when you review; new lessons have a star, and they’re worth 10 XP, as was previously the case.
As you’ll also see when the Duolingo interface update comes to your devices, you’ll have to complete several more units for each course than was previously the case.
Legendary Mode Looks Different
If you used Super Duolingo before, you’ll be used to seeing Legendary Mode show up as purple. Now, however, it’s gold.
Don’t worry, though; you still get 40 XP each time you complete a lesson. Click on a lesson with the tick and select Legendary to complete that particular level.
Guidebooks
If you’ve used Duolingo on the web before, you’ll probably have noticed the guidebook feature for different lessons. Now, however, it’s also on iOS. For each unit, you will see the icon at the top of your screen.
When you click on the guidebook option, you’ll see useful words and phrases to keep in mind when completing your lessons. You should read these before beginning each unit, as it’ll make your learning journey much easier.
Scroll Back to the Top
Considering how much longer the Duolingo path looks in the new interface, it’s needless to say that getting back to the top can be a little annoying. Luckily, you will get a handy feature with the update that allows you to jump to the beginning.
As you scroll down, you’ll see an arrow icon in the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. Click on this to return to the top of the path. Similarly, you can scroll down by hitting the downward arrow.
Stories Aren’t a Standalone Feature Anymore
Prior to Duolingo’s 2022 interface update, stories were a standalone feature with their own tab. Now, however, you will see these integrated within the path.
Similarly, you will have personalized practice sessions included in the course – though this option is available only for paying Super Duolingo subscribers.
At the time of writing in November 2022, Duolingo stories are only available for a small selection of languages:
- English (for select learners);
- Spanish;
- French;
- Italian;
- German;
- Japanese;
- Portuguese.
Does My Duolingo Progress Reset Once I Receive the New Interface?
No – every lesson you complete will still remain unlocked once your Duolingo interface has been updated. You will simply begin from wherever you would have on the tree.
You will also keep all of your XP from each course you’ve started, so you don’t need to worry about losing any of that.
Are Duolingo’s New Interface Features Only Going to Be on iOS?
Over time, Duolingo plans to roll out its new interface updates to all of its supporting devices. In addition to iOS and iPad devices, you will eventually see it on your Mac too.
If you have non-Apple devices, such as Android smartphones or Windows computers, you will also have access to Duolingo’s new interface in due course.
Wrapping Up: Duolingo’s Interface Has a Lot to Get Used To
Duolingo’s new interface for iOS is simpler than was previously the case, and it has polarized opinions. It’ll certainly take a little getting used to, but the new progression does seem more logical than the old one. Stories and personalized lessons being integrated into the path are both handy features in particular.
Once you’ve gotten over the learning curve, you shouldn’t have too many issues continuing to use Duolingo in the same way as you previously did. For languages with fewer resources, the new update also feels like a bit of a leveler for the playing field.
Danny has been a professional writer since graduating from university in 2016, but he’s been writing online for over a decade. He has been intrigued by Apple products ever since getting an iPod Shuffle in 2008 and particularly enjoys writing about iPhones and iPads. Danny prides himself on making complex topics easy to understand. In his spare time, he’s a keen photographer.
Chris says
I was on Unit 36 of the German course on my iPad and a different level on my iPhone. I have used both to keep up with practice and now find that my ipad will not return to the ‘stepping stone’ levels I was on. How can I resume where I was. I subscribe to SuperDuolingo.