Settings, Simplified: Elevating Learning App UX through Smart Structure & Personalization

Settings pages often go unnoticed, but when they're bad, users feel it immediately. Too many options, too many taps, and not enough structure. This design aims to explore what a user-friendly, education-focused settings page should look like.

The Problem: Settings That Distract Instead of Support

Most learning apps treat settings as an afterthought. They're packed with preferences, often in a flat list, with little regard for how learners actually use them. During my research, I looked at popular apps like Duolingo, Coursera, Brilliant, and Preply. Across the board, I found common issues: no search, inconsistent grouping, and poor visibility of critical options like privacy or learning notifications.

These friction points led to a simple question:

How might we turn the settings screen into a quiet but powerful enabler of learning?

My Approach: Focused, Familiar, Flexible

I started by mapping common complaints from app store reviews, UX blogs, and user sentiment on social media. Then, I synthesized these insights into three key goals:

1. Make high-frequency actions accessible in one tap
2. Group related settings to reduce decision fatigue
3. Offer both visual and functional clarity through themed modes

With that direction in mind, I created two visual variants of the settings UI, a light mode for day-time learners and a dark mode for low-light or night-time use.

Two distinct themes for different learning environments

A Closer Look at the New Design

The layout is structured around how people actually use settings. Instead of a long, intimidating list, I organized the screen into clean, sections, Accessibility, Learning, Notifications, Account, and Support.

At the very top sits a search bar, designed to cut through clutter instantly. Whether users want to toggle dark mode or change their email, search helps them jump straight there.

Global search to reduce friction and tap fatigue

Accessibility that Adapts to Learners

The Accessibility section includes quick toggles for Dark Mode, Sound Effects, and Haptics. These features are grouped together not just visually, but conceptually as they shape how the app feels to different learners.

Comfort-first toggles with intuitive icons and large touch targets

Putting Learning First

Right below accessibility, users can set their learning goal, explore courses, and manage notification settings like Daily Practice, Streaks, and Leagues.

These cluster serves casual learners and power users alike.

Learning tools, clustered together

Profile Management

Account management is typically buried or too complex. Here, it's streamlined. Tapping on Profile opens a dedicated screen where users can update their name, username, email, phone number, or password.

The Delete Account button is intentionally styled in red to signal seriousness, without being dramatic. It's there when users need it, visible but not intrusive.

Edit details or take action

Support, Privacy, and Language

Lower on the page, I’ve included global functions that aren’t used daily but still matter. Privacy, App Language, FAQ, and Customer Support are grouped under respective sections. By placing them toward the end, I maintain visibility without overwhelming the primary user tasks.

Secondary actions grouped and placed where they make sense

Why Two Themes?

The dark mode uses deep blues and soft accents, reducing eye strain while preserving contrast. The light mode leans into clarity, with neutral grays and bright highlights. Both respect accessibility guidelines and user preference which is especially important in education apps, where usage can happen at all hours.

Outcome: Simplicity That Scales

By rethinking the structure and visual layout of the settings page, I was able to:

• Reduce cognitive load through grouping and visual hierarchy
• Improve task speed by introducing a global search
• Support accessibility with contrast-friendly themes and larger tap areas
• Prioritize the most important actions