The 5-Step Guide To Permanently Deleting Your X (Twitter) Account In 2024

Permanently deleting your X account (formerly known as Twitter) is a straightforward process, but it requires patience due to a mandatory 30-day deactivation period designed to give users a chance to change their mind. As of December 16, 2025, the fundamental method remains consistent across all platforms—you must first deactivate your account, which hides your profile and all data, and then wait for the permanent deletion to occur automatically. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the exact steps for both mobile and desktop, ensuring you understand the critical difference between deactivation and permanent deletion.

The decision to leave a major social media platform like X is often driven by a desire for a digital detox, privacy concerns, or simply moving on to other platforms. Understanding the specific steps and the implications of each action—especially the 30-day waiting period—is crucial to ensure your account is removed permanently and your personal data is no longer accessible on the platform. The process is now consistently referred to as 'Deactivate' which leads to the final 'Delete' action.

The Essential Difference: Deactivate vs. Permanently Delete

The terms "deactivate" and "delete" are often used interchangeably, but on the X platform, they represent two distinct phases of the account removal process. It is impossible to instantly delete your account; you must always begin with deactivation.

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What Happens During Deactivation?

Deactivation is the initial, temporary step. When you choose to deactivate your X account, the platform immediately hides your profile, tweets, followers, and all associated data from public view. Your account becomes inaccessible to other users. You are essentially logged out, and your data is put into a holding pattern.

• Grace Period: The deactivation lasts for exactly 30 days.
• Reactivation: You can log back into your account at any point within this 30-day period to automatically cancel the deletion process and restore your account to its previous state.
• Data Status: Your data is retained by X during this period, but it is not publicly visible.

What Happens with Permanent Deletion?

Permanent deletion is the final, irreversible step. If you do not log back into your X account during the 30-day deactivation period, the platform automatically proceeds to delete your account permanently.

• Data Removal: All your tweets, likes, followers, direct messages, and other account data are permanently removed from the platform.
• Username Release: Your username (handle) becomes free and available for other users to claim.
• Irreversibility: Once the 30-day mark passes and the account is deleted, there is no way to recover your account or its content.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Delete Your X Account on Desktop and Mobile

The steps to initiate the deactivation process are nearly identical whether you are using the X website on a PC or the X mobile app on an iOS or Android device. The key is knowing where to find the 'Deactivate your account' option, which is often hidden deep within the settings menu.

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Method 1: Deleting Your X Account on Desktop (PC/Mac)

1. Sign In and Navigate to Settings: Log in to your X account on the web browser. On the left-hand menu, click the 'More' option.
2. Access Privacy Settings: From the expanded menu, select 'Settings and Support,' and then click on 'Settings and privacy.'
3. Find Account Deactivation: Under the 'Settings' menu, click on 'Your account.' You will see a list of options. At the very bottom, click on 'Deactivate your account.'
4. Review and Confirm: X will display information about what happens during deactivation, including the 30-day grace period and the permanent data loss. Read this information carefully.
5. Final Confirmation: Click the 'Deactivate' button, enter your password when prompted to verify your identity, and click 'Deactivate' again to finalize the process.

Method 2: Deleting Your X Account on Mobile (iOS/Android App)

1. Access Profile Menu: Open the X app and tap on your profile photo in the top-left corner of the screen to open the side menu.
2. Navigate to Settings: Scroll down and tap 'Settings and Support,' then select 'Settings and privacy.'
3. Find Account Deactivation: Under the 'Settings' menu, tap 'Your account.' At the bottom of this menu, tap 'Deactivate your account.'
4. Review and Confirm: Review the details about the 30-day deactivation period and permanent deletion.
5. Final Confirmation: Tap the 'Deactivate' button, enter your password, and tap 'Deactivate' one last time to log out and begin the 30-day wait.

Crucial Preparatory Steps Before Deactivation

While the actual deactivation process is simple, there are a few essential steps you should take beforehand to ensure a smooth transition and protect your data and digital identity.

1. Download Your X Data Archive

Before you deactivate your account, it is highly recommended that you download a copy of your entire X data archive. This archive is a comprehensive file that contains all your tweets, direct messages, media, followers list, and other account activity. Once your account is permanently deleted, this data is lost forever.

• How to Access: Go to 'Settings and privacy' > 'Your account' > 'Download an archive of your data.' You will need to verify your identity with your password and a verification code.

2. Change Your Email Address (If Reusing)

If you plan to use the same email address to create a new X account in the future, you must change the email address associated with the account you are deleting before you deactivate it.

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• The Problem: X's system might retain your email address for a short period after deletion, preventing you from immediately using it for a new account.
• The Solution: Go to 'Settings and privacy' > 'Your account' > 'Account information' and change your email address to a temporary or dummy address. This frees up your primary email for reuse.

3. Check for Linked Third-Party Apps

Many users link their X account to third-party services like social media management tools (e.g., Buffer, Hootsuite) or single sign-on options for other websites. Even after deactivation, these apps might still retain permissions to access your account data.

• The Action: Go to 'Settings and privacy' > 'Security and account access' > 'Apps and sessions' > 'Connected apps.' Revoke access for any apps you no longer trust or need.

The Final Word on Permanence and Recovery

The 30-day deactivation period is the final safety net. If you log in on the 31st day, your account will likely already be in the process of being permanently deleted, and recovery will be impossible. The platform is designed to give you a full month to reconsider your decision to leave the service.

If your primary goal is simply to change your username or email, you do not need to delete your account. Both of these can be changed directly in the 'Your account' section of the settings menu. However, if you are seeking a complete exit from the platform and a permanent removal of your digital footprint, following the deactivation-to-deletion process outlined above is the only effective way to ensure your X (Twitter) account is gone forever.