Why you might want to delete your Twitter (X) account
There are a number of reasons why you might want to delete your Twitter (X) account. From feeling overwhelmed by a constant stream of information to concerns about privacy and cyberbullying, it’s worth considering if this platform is still a good fit for you.
Some common reasons people choose to delete their X accounts include:
- Too much information. It’s hard to sort through endless posts that you don’t care about. On top of that, the constant stream of negative news can take an emotional toll. If the platform starts to feel like more harm than good, it might be a good reason to delete your Twitter account.
- Time drain. Ever caught yourself hoping that Twitter is down just so that you could get something done? That’s understandable — Twitter can become addictive and take up way more time than you'd like. What starts as a quick check-in can turn into hours lost on the platform, leaving you with less time for other, more meaningful activities.
- Social media privacy concerns. Twitter tracks and stores a lot of personal information. Although you can follow tips to make your social media profile more private, these measures may not fully protect you from data collection practices. If you’re uncomfortable with that, it might be time to delete your X account.
- Better options. You may have discovered other platforms that offer more relevant and less overwhelming content, or that help you stay up to date with news without the constant noise. If that’s the case, delete Twitter and move on.
- Harassment and cyberbullying. Despite Twitter’s efforts to reduce harassment and cyberbullying on the platform, harmful content and abuse can still slip through.
- Risk of data breaches. Twitter has been hacked before, which means your personal information could end up in the wrong hands. If you're concerned about the security of your data, deleting your X account could help mitigate the risk of exposure in future breaches.
How to delete Twitter on iOS
To delete Twitter on iOS, follow these steps:
- 1.Log in to the Twitter app, click on your profile picture in the upper left-hand corner, and tap "Settings and privacy."
- 2.Tap "Your account."
- 3.Tap "Deactivate your account."
- 4.On the next page, you will see some important information about what happens when you deactivate your account. Read it carefully and then tap "Deactivate."
- 5.A new window will pop up. Enter your Twitter password and click "Deactivate."
- 6.Tap “Yes, deactivate” to proceed.
- 7.Your account is now deactivated.
How to delete Twitter on Android
To delete Twitter on Android, follow these steps:
- 1.Open the Twitter app and tap your profile photo in the upper left corner. Then, select "Settings & support" followed by "Settings and privacy" from the dropdown menu.
- 2.Tap "Your account."
- 3.Tap "Deactivate account."
- 4.Read the information provided, then tap "Deactivate."
- 5.Confirm your password to complete the deactivation process, then tap “Deactivate.”
- 6.Twitter will once again ask you to confirm your selection. Tap “Yes, deactivate” to proceed.
- 7.Your account is now deactivated. If you don’t sign in within 30 days, Twitter will permanently delete your account.
How to delete Twitter on desktop
To delete Twitter on desktop, follow these steps:
- 1.Go to Twitter and log in to your account. Tap the "More" button on the left.
- 2.Select "Settings and privacy."
- 3.Click "Deactivate your account" in the "Your account" section.
- 4.Click "Deactivate."
- 5.Enter your password and click "Deactivate" again.
- 6.Congratulations! You’ve just deactivated your Twitter account. After the 30-day deactivation period, your account will be permanently deleted.
For video instructions on how to delete your Twitter account on a desktop or an Android device, check out the tutorial below:
Things to consider before deleting Twitter (X)
Whatever your reason for leaving Twitter may be, consider the following:
- You might want to change your email address and username. If you plan to create a new account within 30 days of deactivating your Twitter account, you won’t be able to reuse the same email address and username. For example, if your username is @john_doe, change it to something else, like @john_doe123, before deactivating. This will make @john_doe available for your new account.
- You can take some steps to make your account more private. If you like this platform and just want a bit more privacy, you can stay and just adjust some settings on the app. For example, take a look at our guide on how to make your Twitter account private.
- Your information won't be searchable on Twitter, but it might be available elsewhere online. Once your account is deleted, Twitter will no longer display your information. However, search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing might still index your old posts, meaning they could remain accessible even after your account has been deleted.
- You can download your Twitter data. If you don’t want to lose your account data, you can download your X archive. Downloading your X archive allows you to explore a snapshot of your X activity.
- Account deletion isn't immediate. As we mentioned earlier, you’ll need to deactivate your account first. After deactivation, X gives you 30 days to change your mind and reactivate it. After this grace period, X will permanently delete your account. It’s a common practice when deleting a Microsoft account or closing a LinkedIn account, too.
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