How to delete your Twitter account

Social media is a fun place to hang out, but we all need a break sometimes. Fortunately, if you need to take a step back from the quippy one-liners and non-stop news updates on Twitter, you can. Whether you want to start fresh or leave social media behind for good, we can help.

We’ll explain how to delete your Twitter account in detail below, as well as ways to protect your privacy and keep an archive of your old posts.

How to delete a Twitter account permanently

To delete your Twitter account, you first have to deactivate it. The deactivation period lasts 30 days, and you can reactivate your account within that time if you have second thoughts. If you do not access your account during the 30-day period, Twitter will permanently delete it. Here are a few step-by-step guides for deactivating your account on different devices.

For Android

1. Log into the Twitter app.
2. Tap on the menu icon or your profile photo in the top left-hand corner.
3. Select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu.
4. Tap Your account.
5. Scroll down and tap Deactivate account.
6. Read the disclaimer and click Deactivate.
7. Confirm your password.
8. Confirm again that you wish to deactivate your account.

For iPhone (iOS)

1. Log into the Twitter app.
2. Tap on your profile picture in the upper left-hand corner.
3. Select Settings and privacy from the dropdown menu.
4. Tap Your account.
5. Scroll down and tap Deactivate account.
6. Read the disclaimer and click Deactivate.
7. Re-enter your password.

On desktop

1. Log into your Twitter account.
2. Click More on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Enter the Your account section.
5. Click Deactivate.
6. Re-enter your password.
7. Click Deactivate again.

After successfully deactivating your account, simply wait 30 days for the app to permanently delete the account.

How to delete an old Twitter account you cannot access

It happens to the best of us. We forget a password or username, change phone numbers or email addresses, and, as a result, lose access to accounts we don’t frequently use. Sometimes, our past content isn’t something we want to be seen by the public. If you don’t know how to delete a Twitter account without a password or with incomplete login information, we can help.

If you no longer use an old Twitter account but want to get rid of it anyway, get some help from customer service. Fill out the corresponding help form on Twitter’s website, and choose “I’d like to deactivate my account.” Before submitting your request, provide the required information and any background details you want to share about the issue.

How to delete a suspended Twitter account

If you no longer have access to your Twitter account because it’s suspended, step one is submitting an appeal to regain access. Then you can proceed with the deactivation process explained above.

Three things to consider before deleting your Twitter account

Before you decide to delete your account, you may want to consider the following tips. (Your future self will thank you.)

1. Change the username and email address on the account in case you want to use them in the future for another profile.
2. Download an archive of your data so you don’t lose your Tweets. Even if you’re feeling done with the content now, you may change your mind down the road. Give yourself a chance to walk down memory lane.
3. Remember that although your information may disappear from Twitter once your account is deleted, your old Tweets could still appear on Google.

How to protect your privacy on Twitter

Everyone has different boundaries and reasons for using (or avoiding) social media platforms. If you're considering deleting your account due to privacy concerns, you may want to check your app settings first to see if changing parameters might make you feel more comfortable. Here’s how you can tweak your Twitter privacy settings to better protect yourself and your information:

• • Block and report users: You don't have to get off social media because of a pesky user who doesn’t respect the rules of engagement. Report people who abuse their accounts, bother others or post offensive or hateful content that makes you uncomfortable.
  • Change your passwords: If you’re worried about others accessing your Twitter account (or any other account, for that matter), use complex passwords, change them from time to time and never share or write them down in places others could find them.
  • Consider what information you share: Avoid sharing contact information or personal data in your profile and Tweets that could make it easy for someone to find or impersonate you. Businesses may publicize their phone number or address so potential customers can find them, but individuals should watch what information they share, especially if they have a public account and interact with strangers. If you want a safer way to share information or let people get in contact, consider setting up a personal or professional website with a contact form. You can then put a link to this site in your social media bios. If you want to drop multiple URLs in this space, get a Linktree, which can branch out to several places on the web.
  • Tweak your settings: Use the app’s privacy settings to limit who can send you messages and see your content. Determine whether people can locate your account based on your email address, phone number, or neither.