GoKawiilDuolingo web app workaround restores hearts and removes ads for users
A tip circulating on Reddit shows that installing Duolingo's website as a web app rather than using the native mobile app brings back the classic hearts-based mistake system and removes advertisements entirely, according to Android Authority. The report says the workaround works for both free and Super Duolingo subscribers, cutting down on gamified prompts and extra taps between lessons.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Duolingo has faced growing criticism for aggressive gamification and monetization on its free tier, including unskippable ads and an energy system that punishes even correct answers. A simple browser-based workaround highlights how much friction the mobile app has added compared to the underlying web experience, and could pressure the company to reconsider its free-tier design.
- Installing Duolingo as a web app restores the older hearts system instead of the energy bar.
- The workaround eliminates ads for free users and reduces clicks for Super subscribers.
- The trick was surfaced via a Reddit post and verified independently by Android Authority across both free and paid accounts.
Source: androidauthority.com, 2026-09-20
Published there as: “This simple Duolingo trick brings back hearts and gets rid of the annoying ads”
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