Why does the Duolingo app icon look sad and old?

[[{“value”:”

DUOLINGO fans have been left baffled after noticing the app’s iconic owl has turned all “miserable” and haggard looking.

The popular language learning app’s green owl usually sports a cheery expression.

Users say the change makes them want to uninstall the app

But for some reason the icon that appears on iPhone and Android has dramatically transformed for the worst.

“This does not motivate me,” one user wrote on Reddit.

“It makes me want to delete the app so I don’t have to look at the depressing icon,” another complained.

“I’ve done my lesson today and duo still looks utterly miserable.”

Why does Duolingo look sad?

Duolingo hasn’t revealed the exact reason why the app’s icon has changed to look so sad.

The company did post a cryptic meme about it on X / Twitter, with the caption “when you put off your lesson for 5 mins”.

In response to one user, the firm said the owl is “in my tired era”.

It is thought that the change may be a trick to grab people’s attention and make them open the app.

Duolingo has tried this stunt before, previously showing the icon with a melted face.

How to change the Duolingo icon back

Unfortunately, completing your lessons doesn’t change the app icon back to its normal happy self.

It appears users with a streak have kept their usual fiery orange icon.

However, the sad face is likely to be a temporary trick to get your attention, in which case it’ll probably revert to its old look soon.

“}]]