What happens when you request account closure
Closing your Twitter (X) account is irreversible and deletes your public identity, tweets, likes, and follows. This guide explains the full workflow so you know what to expect before you proceed. When you submit the request, the platform immediately deactivates your profile and starts a 30-day, non-renewable removal window. During those 30 days you can cancel and reactivate instantly by simply logging in. After 30 days, Twitter permanently erases your account data and notifies you by email. You can only submit one deletion request per account, and data removal may take additional time to complete across backup and analytics systems.
Before you request deletion: back up and review
Twitter provides a downloadable archive that contains your tweets, media, profile information, and advertising data. Backing up this archive is the safest way to preserve anything you might want later. To prepare, review what you want to keep and ensure any account-linked services (newsletters, apps, or tools that sign in with Twitter) are updated to another identity. Note that deactivating or suspending an account for policy violations can prevent you from using the standard self-deletion flow and may require support review.
How to close your Twitter account on the web
Step 1: Open Settings and support
Log in to twitter.com, click More (three dots) next to your profile, then choose Settings and support from the menu.
Step 2: Go to Account management
Under Settings, select Account from the left panel, then choose Account management.
Step 3: Request account deletion
Scroll to the bottom and click Deactivate your account. Read the summary, confirm your choice, and click Deactivate. You will be signed out immediately and your profile will no longer be visible to others.
Step 4: Confirm within 30 days
Check your email for a confirmation message with a link to finalize deletion. If you do not confirm within 30 days, the removal will proceed automatically and cannot be undone.
How to close your Twitter account in the mobile apps
iOS and Android overview
The steps are similar on iPhone and Android. Open the app, tap your profile icon, go to Settings and support, then Account, and select Deactivate your account. Follow the prompts, save your archive if desired, and watch for the confirmation email.
- Open the X app and sign in
- Tap your profile icon and choose Settings and support
- Tap Account, then Deactivate your account
- Confirm and save any data you want to keep
- Check your email for the final deletion link
What to expect during the 30-day deactivation period
For 30 days after you request closure, your profile remains deactivated and is not visible to other users. You can cancel at any time by logging back in. If you do not cancel, Twitter will permanently erase your account at the end of the window and send a final deletion confirmation email. Content that others have posted that mentions you will remain on the platform, but it will be dissociated from your identity.
Irreversible effects and important limitations
Once the 30-day period ends, your data removal is permanent. You cannot restore tweets, direct messages, likes, followers, or your username. Re-registering creates a new, separate account with a different user ID and handle. Twitter may retain certain records to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, or prevent fraud, even after public deletion. If your account was suspended or subject to legal requests, confirm with support staff that self-deletion is available.
Download your Twitter data before closing
| Data category | What it includes | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Account profile | Handle, display name, email, phone, profile details | Identifies your presence on the platform |
| Tweets and interactions | Tweets, replies, retweets, likes, bookmarks | Captures your public and engagement history |
| Media uploads | Photos, videos, GIFs you posted | Preserves visual content you authored |
| Direct messages | DMs you sent and received (if downloadable) | Contains private message history |
| Advertising data | Campaigns, targeting options, and spending (if applicable) | Useful if you ran ads on the platform |
To download an archive, go to Settings and support, Account, Download an archive of your data, and follow the steps. Exports can take minutes to hours depending on size. Keep the file in a secure location before deactivating.
Alternatives to permanent deletion
If you are unsure about permanent closure, consider these options: deactivate temporarily by logging out and disabling activity, adjust privacy and safety settings to limit who can see or interact with you, or remove apps and integrations that access your account. These steps reduce exposure without triggering irreversible deletion.
After closure: what to update elsewhere
Once your account is closed, update any external services that rely on Twitter for login, authentication, or content sharing. Revoke connected apps in their security settings, replace social sharing buttons on profiles or websites, and notify contacts through other channels to maintain reach. Check ad platforms, analytics tools, and connected dashboards to ensure they no longer reference the old account.
Support and further actions
If you encounter issues or are blocked from deleting, contact official support for clarification. If your account was suspended, ask whether you are eligible to request deletion. For legal or compliance requests, follow up with the appropriate channel. Keep confirmation emails and archive exports as proof of closure and for internal records.