Thinking about saying goodbye to Twitter, now known as X? Whether you’re concerned about online privacy, looking to reduce your social media presence, or simply ready for a change, deleting your X account is a straightforward process. However, it’s not instantaneous. When you initiate account deletion, you’re actually deactivating it first. This starts a 30-day grace period. During this time, your account is suspended, giving you a window to change your mind. If you don’t log back in within those 30 days, your account will be permanently deleted.
This 30-day deactivation period is a safety net, allowing you to recover your account if you deactivate it by mistake or decide to return to the platform. Before you proceed with deactivation, it’s wise to back up your X data if you wish to keep a personal archive of your tweets and information.
The steps to deactivate and ultimately delete your Twitter account are consistent whether you are using an Android or iOS device.
How to Deactivate Your Twitter (X) Account on Your Phone
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Start by tapping your profile icon, located in the top-left corner of your app interface. This will open the main menu. From there, navigate to Settings and support, and then select Settings and privacy.
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Within the “Settings and privacy” menu, find and tap Your account. On the subsequent screen, select Deactivate Account. This option is your gateway to initiating the account deletion process.
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Carefully read the information presented on the deactivation screen. It will outline what happens when you deactivate your account. To proceed, tap Deactivate. You will then be prompted to enter your password to confirm your identity. After entering your password, tap the final Deactivate button to officially begin the deactivation process.
How to Deactivate or Delete Twitter (X) on a Computer (PC or Mac)
Deleting your Twitter account on a desktop computer follows a similar process. First, go to the X login page and log in to your account. Just like on mobile, deactivation is the initial step, leading to permanent deletion after 30 days if you remain logged out.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to delete Twitter on Windows or Mac:
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Once logged into your X account on your computer, look for the More button in the left-hand main menu. Click on this button to expand more options.
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From the expanded menu, select Settings and privacy. This will take you to your account settings page where you can manage various aspects of your Twitter profile.
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Within the “Settings and privacy” options, find and click on Your account. This section allows you to manage account-specific settings. Then, select Deactivate your account to proceed with account deletion.
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Carefully read the information provided about deactivating your X account. After reviewing, click Deactivate to continue. You will be prompted to Enter your password to confirm your decision. Finally, click the Deactivate button again to finalize the deactivation process.
Understanding What Happens When You Deactivate or Delete Twitter
Deactivating your Twitter account is not immediate permanent deletion. When you deactivate, Twitter initiates a 30-day period where your account is in limbo. During this time, all your account information, including your profile, direct messages, and all your Tweets, are preserved but not accessible to the public. This gives you a buffer period to reconsider your decision.
After the 30-day deactivation period, if you do not log back in, your account will be permanently deleted. Once this happens, all your data will be erased from Twitter’s servers, and your username will become available for anyone else to claim.
If you plan to create a new Twitter account using the same email address in the future, you must wait until the full deactivation period has passed and the account is permanently deleted. However, you are free to create a new X account immediately using a different email address. Also, if you change your mind during the 30-day period, you can easily reactivate your original account.
How to Reactivate Your Twitter (X) Account
If you have deactivated your account but decide to return to Twitter within the 30-day grace period, reactivation is simple:
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Open the X app on your phone or navigate to the X login page on your web browser.
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Sign in to your account using your usual credentials.
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You will be prompted with a message asking if you want to reactivate your account. Select Yes, reactivate to confirm your choice.
How to Back Up Your Data Before Deleting Twitter
Before you delete your Twitter account, you might want to download an archive of your data for your records. Here’s how to request this backup on both the mobile app and desktop:
Requesting a Twitter data backup on the mobile app:
- Tap your profile icon to open the menu. Go to Settings and support > Settings and privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data.
- You’ll be asked to enter your password to verify your identity.
- Tap Send code, and Twitter will send a verification code to your registered email or phone number. Enter the code you receive and tap Request archive. Twitter will then prepare your archive and notify you when it’s ready to download.
Requesting a Twitter data backup on a PC or Mac:
- Click More in the main menu > Settings and privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data.
- Enter your password when prompted.
- Click Send code. Enter the verification code you receive and click Request archive. Twitter will email you a link to download your archive once it’s prepared.
FAQs
Can I delete my Twitter account without a password or email access?
No, you need your password to deactivate your X account through the website or app. If you’ve lost your password, you can use the password reset option if you have access to the verified mobile number linked to your account. If you’ve lost access to your email as well, account recovery can be challenging. In some cases, contacting X support via email associated with the account might offer assistance, but password verification is generally required for security reasons.
If you suspect your Twitter account has been hacked, immediately change your password and security settings, and reach out to the X Help Center for further assistance.
Can I delete a suspended Twitter account?
No, you cannot delete an account that is currently suspended. Before you can initiate the deletion process, you must first resolve the suspension. The initial step is to appeal the suspension through Twitter’s appeal process. If your appeal is successful and the suspension is lifted, you can then proceed with deactivating and deleting your account.
Can I ask Twitter to delete my account for me?
While you can contact Twitter support, they generally cannot delete your account directly upon request. Customer support can only offer assistance if contacted from the email address associated with the account, and they will likely guide you through the standard deactivation process. This is because the deactivation and deletion process is designed to be controlled and confirmed by the account holder for security and privacy reasons.
Why are many people deleting X accounts?
People are choosing to delete their X accounts for various reasons. Growing concerns about the impact of social media on mental well-being are a significant factor. Many users are also looking to reclaim time spent on social platforms and reduce exposure to potentially upsetting or sensitive content. Privacy concerns and a desire to enhance their digital identity protection are other key motivations. Furthermore, some long-time Twitter users have expressed dissatisfaction with changes implemented on X, such as the monetization of the blue verification checkmark, leading them to leave the platform.
