How to Delete Your Twitter Account (X) Permanently
Ready to leave the platform? To delete your Twitter account — now called X, formerly Twitter — you actually start by deactivating it. X uses a 30-day deactivation period as a cooling-off window. If you don’t log back in during those 30 days, your account is permanently deleted.
This guide walks you through how to deactivate your account on desktop, iPhone, and Android, what the 30-day window means, and the steps you can take first — like downloading your data — so you don’t lose anything you want to keep. The process is the same idea on every device: you go to your account settings, choose to deactivate, and enter your password to confirm.
Deactivating isn’t the same as deleting. Your account is only removed for good once the 30-day window ends. Until then, you can reactivate by logging back in.
Deactivate vs. Delete: What’s the Difference?
On X, there’s no separate “delete now” button. Deactivation is the path to deletion. Here’s how the two stages compare.
| Stage | What happens | Can you reactivate? | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deactivate your account | Your profile, posts, likes, and handle are hidden from X | Yes — just log back in | Starts a 30-day window |
| Permanent deletion | Your account and username are deleted for good | No | Automatic after 30 days of no login |
Because your account is not deleting the moment you click deactivate, you have a full month to change your mind. After that, the deletion is permanent.
Before You Deactivate: Download Your Data
Once your account is permanently deleted, you can’t get your posts back. If you want a copy, request and download your data archive first — you need to complete both steps beforehand.
- On the web, go to Settings and privacy → Your account → Download an archive of your data.
- Confirm your identity (X may ask for your password and a code sent to your confirmed email address or verified mobile number).
- Wait for X to prepare the file, then download it when you get the notification.
You can also revoke third-party app access at Settings and privacy → Security and account access → Apps and sessions so no app keeps access to your X account after you leave. Cutting off app access is one privacy step; protecting your connection is another — if you’re unsure, here’s why you might need a VPN.
How to Delete Your Twitter (X) Account on Any Device
The steps below deactivate your account and start the 30-day countdown to permanent deletion.
On desktop (web browser):
- Log in at x.com and click More in the left menu.
- Select Settings and privacy.
- Click Your account → Deactivate your account.
- Review the details and click Deactivate.
- Enter your password to confirm.
On iPhone:
- Open the X app and tap your profile photo.
- Tap Settings and privacy → Your account.
- Choose Deactivate your account.
- Scroll down and tap Deactivate.
- Enter your password to confirm.
On Android:
- Open the X app and tap Settings & Support → Settings and privacy.
- Tap Your account.
- Choose Deactivate your account.
- Scroll down and tap Deactivate.
- Enter your password to confirm.
After you confirm, leave the account alone. If you don’t log in for 30 days, X permanently deletes it.
What Happens to Your Username and Old Posts
When your account is deleted, your username is deleted along with it. If you think you might want it again, you can preserve your username or email to reuse with a new account before you finish.
Mentions of your handle in other people’s posts stay, but they no longer link to a profile. Some of your old posts may still appear in search engines like Google or Bing for a short time, though clicking them leads to an error page on X’s site as the cache updates. To keep your future activity from being tied back to your IP address, a VPN masks it — that’s part of how a VPN protects you.
There’s no built-in way to wipe all your tweets in one go before deactivating. Some people use third-party tools for this, but they’re optional — deactivation removes your profile from public view either way.
Protect Your Privacy on X with Planet VPN
If you’re leaving X over privacy concerns, your account is only one piece of the puzzle. Your connection can still reveal your location and activity on any social network you use next. If you’re new to this, what a VPN is and how to use one is a good place to start. Planet VPN is an honest free VPN — core features are free forever, and you pay only with your time by watching a short ad, not with your personal data.
Planet VPN uses reliable encryption to keep your connection private on public Wi-Fi and everyday networks. It’s easy to use: connect in a couple of clicks, with no setup needed.
- Start on the Planet VPN homepage.
- See what’s free and what’s premium on the plans page.
- Staying private across social apps? Try Planet VPN for social platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is deactivating the same as deleting?
No. Deactivating isn’t deletion on its own. Your account is actually deleted only if you don’t log in during the 30-day deactivation window. Deactivation just starts that clock.
How long until it’s permanently gone?
After you deactivate, you have 30 days to restore your account before it’s automatically and permanently deleted. Once those 30 days pass with no login, the deletion is final.
Can I get my account back after deleting?
You can reactivate within the 30-day window by logging back in. After that window ends, the deletion is permanent and there’s no way to recover the account.
What happens to my username?
When the account is deleted, your username is deleted along with it. If you want to keep it, you can preserve your username or email so you can reuse it with a new account later.
Should I download my data first?
Yes. Request and download your data archive before deactivating, since you need to complete both steps beforehand. Once the account is deleted, that data is no longer available to you.
Will my old posts still show up on Google?
Some posts may still appear in search engines for a short time, but the links will lead to an error page on X’s site as the cache clears.
Can I delete all my tweets at once instead?
There’s no built-in way to wipe all your tweets in one go. Workarounds using third-party tools exist, but X itself doesn’t offer a one-click option to clear every post.