Ready To Delete X (Formerly Twitter)? Here’s How

There are plenty of reasons why you may want to delete your X (formerly Twitter) account. Follow our step-by-step instructions to make sure all your data is really gone.
We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

So you’ve decided it’s time to delete X (formerly Twitter). You’re not alone. You and 7 million other users have moved away from the social networking app since 2022. But just deleting the app won’t delete your account data. Your lingering info can leave you susceptible to account theft, so it’s necessary to take specific steps to ensure your data is totally removed from the platform.

Removing your online data is one of the best ways to reduce spam, scams, phishing, and identity theft. In addition to deactivating Twitter (and other unwanted social media accounts), consider using one of the best data removal services to protect your online privacy.

To deactivate Twitter, follow the steps below.

Twitter was created in 2006 and maintained its name until 2023 when new owner, Elon Musk, decided to align it more with its parent company, X Corp. The platform, now named X, retains its “formerly Twitter” tagline, presumably to make it easier to name and search.

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On DeleteMe's website
Privacy Protection
DeleteMe
  • Removes your data from the web to avoid scams, spam and stalkers
  • 100+ million successful opt-out removals
  • Provides continued removals every three months

In this article
How to deactivate and delete your Twitter account permanently
How to deactivate your Twitter account on PC or Mac
How to save your Twitter data
How to reactivate your Twitter account
FAQs
Bottom line

How to deactivate and delete your Twitter account permanently

The steps to deactivate and delete your Twitter account are fairly simple. We started from our mobile, but you can also do this from a web browser. Once you finish deactivating your X (formerly Twitter) app, you can delete it from your phone.

You’ll have a 30-day grace period after deactivating your account. If you do not log in during those 30 days, your account will be permanently deleted.

To begin the process, follow these steps:

Login

Login to your account with the correct email, phone, or user name.

how to delete twitter
Sign in to X

Click on Settings

Tap your profile icon, then tap Settings to access security settings.

Click on Settings
Click on Settings

Select Your account

Tap on Your account for deactivation options.

Select your account
Select your account

Deactivate your account

Tap on Deactivate your account to begin the process.

Deactivate your account
Deactivate your account

Confirm details

X will require you to confirm your password and then click Deactivate again. Make sure to complete this step.

Confirm password and deactivate
Confirm password and deactivate

Got social fatigue and need a break? Learn how to deactivate your Facebook Messenger account.

How to deactivate your Twitter account on PC or Mac

Deactivating and deleting your Twitter account on a PC or Mac is just as easy as doing it on mobile and will delete the data Twitter collects from you. X (formerly Twitter) can be accessed on a variety of browsers and devices. Below is a list of supported browsers and step-by-step instructions to delete your account from any of them.

X (Twitter) supported browsers

  • Microsoft Edge
  • Apple Safari
  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • WebKit/Chromium-based browsers like Opera, Samsung Internet, UC Browser, etc.
  • Tor Browser

Whenever you use social media apps, adjust your privacy settings so that you know exactly how platforms like Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube use your data.

How to deactivate Twitter using a web browser

  1. Go to X.com and log in to your account.
  2. Click the three dots in the lower-left corner of the screen to access Settings.
  3. Select Your account.
  4. Choose Deactivate your account.
  5. Confirm your password and click Deactivate again.

Deactivate Twitter on web browser

How to save your Twitter data

Deleting social media accounts is hard, no matter the reason you’re doing it. Saving your data so you can access your favorite tweets, images, and links can make it easier. To save your data, follow the steps below before deactivating your account.

  1. Log in to your Twitter account.
  2. Tap your profile pic.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Tap Your account.
  5. Choose Download an archive of your data.

Twitter will notify you when the zip file is ready.

Download Twitter archive to save account data
Download Twitter archive to save account data

How to reactivate your Twitter account

Reactivating your account is easy but has to be done within 30 days or your information will be permanently deleted. There are two methods to reactivate your Twitter account.

  1. If you log in within the 30-day deletion period, your account will automatically be reactivated.
  2. Tap Yes, reactivate on the screen immediately after deactivation if you don’t want to delete your account.

Reactivate Twitter account
Reactivate Twitter account

FAQs


+

Is deactivating Twitter the same as deleting?

No, deactivating Twitter isn’t the same as deleting Twitter. If you delete your app, your profile will still be active. To truly delete yourself from the platform, you’ll need to deactivate your account first and then delete the app. However, your account will not be removed until after 30 days of inactivity.


+

How long does it take for a Twitter account to fully deactivate?

It takes 30 days to deactivate your Twitter account fully. Make sure not to log in during that 30-day period, or you will reactivate your account. After the deactivation period, your Twitter account will automatically be permanently deleted.


+

Why can't I deactivate my Twitter account?

You may be unable to deactivate your Twitter account for several reasons. If you’re under an account suspension or lock, that could be one reason. A faulty internet connection could stop you from deactivation. Also, if X (Twitter) thinks there’s any suspicious activity on your account, the deactivation attempt will be stopped. Verification issues, email accuracy issues, deactivation frequency limit, and issues with a password change are all additional reasons you may be having trouble.


+

Can I delete my Twitter account without a password or email?

Yes, you can delete your Twitter account without your login credentials. If you’re unable to access the password or email to delete your Twitter account, navigate to the X Help Center, where you can complete self-service prompts. After you select your issue, like wanting to deactivate your account without having the email address or password, you’ll be directed to a related online guide for help. Don’t expect to be able to hunt down a live support agent.

Bottom line

There are a variety of reasons to delete your social media accounts, Twitter included. Whether you want to reduce your online habits, try different social media platforms like Bluesky or Threads, become more private online, or are simply tired of the platform, deleting your account is quick and easy. Once you know where to go, you should be able to complete the action in just a minute or two.

Data brokers love to mine social media and aggregate the data to create profiles of you, which they can then sell. Deleting your public information— manually or through an automated service like DeleteMe — helps reduce your digital footprint. The best data removal tools can help you eliminate existing data broker profiles.

Stay private online and delete unused and unwanted accounts, and you’ll soon find a reduction in spam and other harmful and annoying communication.

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On DeleteMe's website
Privacy Protection
DeleteMe
  • Removes your data from the web to avoid scams, spam and stalkers
  • 100+ million successful opt-out removals
  • Provides continued removals every three months

Author Details
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.