Well, you were misinformed that you could learn a language by doing any one thing. Apps like Duolingo are just a method for daily exposure on the long journey

Well, you were misinformed that you could learn a language by doing any one thing. Apps like Duolingo are just a method for daily exposure on the long journey of language learning. For example, reading only grammar books isn't going to get you there, either. But doing something every day is possibly the most important part, and Duolingo can help you build a habit. I see this criticism of Duolingo all the time by people who sound like they think it failed them because they weren't fluent after finishing it. There is no roadmap that will make you fluent without serious, multifaceted effort on your own part, so it's quite weak criticism when one tool doesn't take you end-to-end.