Twitter can provide information, from breaking news to funny memes and lively debates. However, at times, it can also be overwhelming, addictive, and just plain unpleasant that you just feel like you want to delete your Twitter account.

If you’re concerned Twitter won’t let you deactivate your account, this guide will help you through the process.

Whether you’ve spent too much time on your phone or no longer wish to share your life online, you might need to delete your account temporarily or permanently.

This guide by RecurPost shows how to delete your Twitter account, whether for a temporary break or permanent departure.

Deactivating vs deleting your Twitter account

Deactivating your Twitter account initiates a 30-day period before permanent deletion. If you don’t access your account during this period, your account gets deleted and your username becomes disassociated. After this 30-day window expires, Twitter begins the permanent deletion process, which may take up to an additional week to completely remove all your data from their systems.

Twitter does not offer an option to bypass this 30-day waiting period. The deactivation period serves as a safety measure to prevent accidental or malicious account deletions. For users seeking immediate permanent deletion, Twitter still requires this cooling-off period, and there are no official workarounds to expedite the process. The only way to ensure your account gets permanently deleted is to deactivate it and then refrain from logging in for the full 30-day period.

  • Deactivating your Twitter account

Deactivation starts the permanent deletion process with a 30-day window during which you can decide to reactivate your account.

When you deactivate your Twitter account, your username and public profile become invisible on twitter.com and mobile apps.

  • Deleting your Twitter account

 After the 30-day deactivation window, your Twitter account gets permanently deleted. Not logging in during this period confirms your intention to delete your handle. Once deleted, your account disappears from Twitter’s systems, preventing reactivation or access to previous tweets and account information.

  • Deleting your suspended Twitter account

If you want to delete your suspended Twitter account, you will need to file an appeal to get it unsuspended. Regardless of the result of that appeal, you can then request for it to be deleted.

Top things to know before deactivating your Twitter account

  • Your X account deletion won’t remove data from search engines like Google or Bing, as Twitter can’t control these sites. Contact the search engines directly to remove this data.
  • When you deactivate your Twitter account, mentions of your username in others’ tweets remain but won’t link to your profile since it becomes unavailable. For content review under Twitter Rules, file a ticket through Twitter help.
  • Changing your username or email doesn’t require account deletion – simply update these details in Account information.
  • Your account restores automatically when you log in during the 30-day deactivation window.
  • Request your Twitter data download before deactivation, as deactivation doesn’t remove your data from Twitter systems.
  • Twitter retains certain information from deactivated accounts for platform and user safety.

Also, sometimes it is better to change your username! If you want to do so and pick the best username in Twitter, then learn how to pick a Twitter name here.

How to delete Twitter account from iPhone or iPad

To delete your Twitter account from iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

  • Open the official Twitter app on your iPhone (or iPad) and tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
  • Click “Settings and privacy”, then tap “Account” at the top.
  • At the bottom, choose “Deactivate your account”.
  • Read the “What else you should know” disclaimer, tap “Deactivate”.
  • Enter your account password and follow the prompts to delete your account. If you forgot it the choose password reset option.
  • A pop-up should prompt you to finally finish deactivating your account. Press “Yes, deactivate” and it will then take you to the Twitter login page after successfully deactivating your account.

For newer versions of the Twitter app on iPhone:

  • Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner
  • Select “Settings and Support” then “Settings and privacy”
  • Tap “Your account” and scroll to find “Deactivate Account”
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the deactivation process

The Twitter app interface may vary slightly depending on your iOS version and the Twitter app version.

how to delete Twitter account from iphone

How to delete Twitter account from Android phone

To delete your Twitter account using Android phone, follow the below steps:

  • Tap on your profile photo in the top left-hand corner of the screen.
  • Enter the “Settings and Privacy” Menu and tap “Account”.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap “Deactivate Your Account.”
  • Type in your password and tap Deactivate to confirm the request.
  • A pop-up should prompt you to finally finish deactivating your account. Press “Yes, deactivate” and it will then take you to the Twitter login page after successfully deactivating your account.
Disactivate your twitter account

How to delete Twitter account from a desktop

To delete Twitter account using desktop (Windows or Mac), follow the below steps:

  • Login to your Twitter account on your web browser.
  • In the menu on the left side of the Twitter homepage, click “More.”
how to delete Twitter account from desktop
  • Select “Settings and privacy” in the pop-up. 
how to delete Twitter account from desktop
  • At the top of the Settings menu, click “Your account.”
  • Then click “Deactivate your account” at the bottom of the “Your Account” menu.
how to delete Twitter account from desktop
  • In the “Deactivate account” section, select either 30 days or 12 months as your “Reactivation period.”
  • Click “Deactivate” at the bottom of the page.
  • Then enter your password and click “Deactivate.”
  • A pop-up should prompt you to finally finish deactivating your account.

If you have a low follower count, consider our guide on how to get more followers on Twitter before deleting.

How to deactivate Twitter account

To deactivate your Twitter account, follow the below steps:

  • Depending on your version of the Twitter app, click the profile icon or the hamburger menu at the top of the screen. 
  • Go into the Settings and privacy menu and tap Account.
  • Select Deactivate your account.
  • Tap Deactivate.
  • When prompted, enter your password and tap Deactivate.
  • Finally, tap Yes to confirm your decision.

How to delete suspended Twitter account

Twitter’s policies prevent direct deletion of suspended accounts. You have two options:

  • Send a request to Twitter’s customer support
  • Unsuspend the account and then delete it

1. Send a request to Twitter

Twitter gives you the option of requesting to deactivate or close Twitter account or erase your suspended account. To use this option, follow these steps:

  • Visit Twitter’s Help Center
  • Select I’d like to deactivate or close my account
  • Complete the account access form that pops up and click Submit
  • Twitter will send you an email with more information about your request. They should also respond to your request with a resolution within a few days.

You can address your request to the contacts found in Twitter’s Contact us section of their privacy policy as well, especially if you have concerns about its use of your information.

2. Unsuspend your Twitter account and then delete it

Unsuspending your account varies based on suspension type. After getting unbanned and reactivating your account, delete it by:

  • Open your Twitter app
  • Navigate to “Settings and Privacy”
  • Find the “Account” tab
  • Locate and click on “Deactivate your account”
  • Read the account deactivation details
  • Click “Deactivate”
  • Type your password
  • Click the “Deactivate account” button

How to delete all tweets from Twitter account

Delete all tweets using third-party services like Tweet Delete or Tweet Eraser, as Twitter lacks a native mass-deletion feature.

Tweet Delete offers free deletion of 3200 recent tweets, while Tweet Eraser handles larger volumes for a fee. Tweet Delete allows selective deletion based on timestamp or content, one-time or automatic deletion, removing likes, and creating personal tweet backups.

These backups store your tweets privately without allowing reposting to Twitter.

Here’s how you can delete all your tweets at once using Tweet Delete:

  • Go to the Tweet Delete website on your browser.
  • Log in to your Twitter account to connect it to Tweet Delete.
  • Set the parameters of the application accordingly.
  • If you want to delete all your tweets, click the dropdown menu under “Age of tweets to delete” and select “All time.”
  • Check the box confirming you’ve read the terms and conditions, then click “Delete my tweets!”

How can you reactivate a Twitter account

According to Twitter help center, reactivate your account within the 30-day window by following these steps:

  • Visit twitter.com/login via twitter.com, or open your Twitter for iOS or Android app.
  • Enter your login credentials.
  • Before you sign in, you’ll see a notice asking you to confirm if you want to reactivate your account.
  • If you choose to reactivate, you’ll be redirected to your Home timeline. Please note that Tweets, followers, likes, etc., may take a while to fully restore.

This guide covers deleting your Twitter account. Consider growing your followers to increase engagement before making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to close a Twitter account?

To close your Twitter account, follow the below steps:
– Login to your Twitter account on your web browser.
– In the menu on the left side of the Twitter homepage, click “More.”
– Select “Settings and privacy” in the pop-up. 
– At the top of the Settings menu, click “Your account.”
– Then click “Deactivate your account” at the bottom of the “Your Account” menu.
– In the “Deactivate account” section, choose a “Reactivation period.” You can select either 30 days or 12 months.
– Click “Deactivate” at the bottom of the page.
– Enter your password and click “Deactivate.”
– A pop-up should prompt you to finally finish deactivating your account.

2. How to remove phone number from a suspended Twitter account?

When your Twitter account is suspended, you cannot access it or make any edits to your profile. In order to remove your phone number, you need to unsuspend the Twitter account first. Twitter recommends different measures that you take to unsuspend your account.

3. How to remove email from a suspended Twitter account?

When your Twitter account is suspended, you cannot access it or make any edits to your profile. In order to remove your email address, you need to unsuspend the Twitter account first. Twitter recommends different measures that you take to unsuspend your account.

4. How to find deleted Twitter accounts?

Once you have disconnected your Twitter account and did not login back in within the 30-day window, it lets Twitter know you want to permanently delete your Twitter account. Once your account is deleted, your account is no longer available in the system. You won’t be able to reactivate your previous account and you won’t have access to any old Tweets.

5. How long does it take for a Twitter account to be deleted?

Deactivating your Twitter account is the first step to deleting your account permanently. Deactivation lasts 30 days. If you do not access your account within the 30-day deactivation period, your account is deleted and your username will no longer be associated with your account.

6. How to activate a deactivated Twitter account?

– Visit twitter.com/login via Twitter.com, or open your Twitter for iOS or Android app.
– Then Enter your login credentials.
– Before you sign in, you’ll see a notice asking you to confirm if you want to reactivate your account.
– If you choose to reactivate, you’ll be redirected to your Home timeline. Please note that Tweets, followers, likes, other users who followed you etc., may take a while to fully restore.

7. Why can’t I deactivate a suspended Twitter account?

If your Twitter account is suspended, you can’t delete suspended Twitter account or deactivate a suspended Twitter account through the usual process. Twitter won’t allow deactivation until the suspension is lifted. You may need to appeal the suspension or contact Twitter Support for further assistance.

8. How to delete an old Twitter account you cannot access?

To delete a Twitter account that you no longer have access to, you need to first regain access:
Visit the Twitter login page and click on “Forgot password”
Enter your username, email address, or phone number associated with the account
Twitter will send recovery instructions to your email or phone
If you no longer have access to the email or phone number, click on “I don’t have access to any of these” on the password reset page
Complete the account recovery form with as much information as possible about your account
Once you regain access, follow the standard account deletion steps
If you cannot recover your account through these methods, contact Twitter Support directly through their help center and provide information to verify your identity as the account owner.
If you have no way to verify your identity or recover access, Twitter may not allow you to delete the account for security reasons. In such cases, abandoned accounts without login activity for an extended period may eventually be removed by Twitter according to their inactive account policy, though this process is not guaranteed.

9. Why my Twitter account is suspended?

Twitter suspends accounts for policy violations, suspicious activity, or security concerns. If your account is suspended, you can’t deactivate Twitter temporarily or permanently until the issue is resolved. You may need to submit an appeal to regain access.

10. How do I know if my Twitter account is permanently suspended?

If your account is permanently suspended, you will receive a notification when you try to log in. Unlike temporary suspensions, permanent suspensions mean you cannot reactivate a Twitter account or regain access. In such cases, your account remains inactive, and Twitter may eventually remove it.

11. How to request twitter to delete an inactive account?

Twitter does not automatically delete inactive accounts, but you can report an account as inactive if it violates Twitter’s policies. If you are looking to erase a Twitter account or close a Twitter account, you can try contacting Twitter Support to request removal.

12. Can I see tweets from a suspended account?

No, tweets from suspended accounts are hidden from public view. If an account is suspended, its tweets, followers, and profile information become inaccessible. If you’re wondering, “Does Twitter delete accounts?”, Twitter may remove accounts that violate its policies or remain inactive for extended periods.

13. Is Twitter deactivation permanent?

Deactivation is not immediately permanent. If you deactivate Twitter temporarily, you have 30 days to reactivate it before it is permanently deleted. If you don’t log in within that period, your account will be erased, and you won’t be able to recover it.

14. Can I deactivate Twitter temporarily

Yes, you can deactivate Twitter temporarily by going to your account settings and selecting the deactivation option. This will disable your profile for up to 30 days. If you don’t log back in within that period, The officials will erase Twitter account permanently. However, if your account is suspended, you may not be able to deactivate it until the suspension is lifted.

15. How can I cancel my Twitter account?

To cancel your Twitter account, go to your account settings and choose the deactivation option. After 30 days of inactivity, your account will be permanently deleted. If your account is suspended, you may need to resolve the suspension first.

16. Can I pause my Twitter account?

Yes, you can pause your Twitter account by deactivating it. This temporarily removes your profile, but you must log back in within 30 days to reactivate it. After that period, your account will be permanently deleted.

17. How to Use Twitter?

To use Twitter, create an account, follow people or brands that interest you, and post tweets (messages up to 280 characters). You can also interact by liking, replying, and retweeting posts from others. Twitter is an excellent platform for staying updated on news, trends, and discussions in real time.

18. How to Manage Twitter Following List?

To manage your Twitter following list, go to your profile and review who you follow. You can unfollow accounts by clicking on the “Following” button next to their profile. For a cleaner feed, follow accounts that align with your interests and engage with relevant content. Managing your list helps tailor your Twitter experience.

19. How to delete an old Twitter account you cannot access?

To delete a Twitter account that you no longer have access to, you need to first regain access:
Visit the Twitter login page and click on “Forgot password”
Enter your username, email address, or phone number associated with the account
Twitter will send recovery instructions to your email or phone
If you no longer have access to the email or phone number, click on “I don’t have access to any of these” on the password reset page
Complete the account recovery form with as much information as possible about your account
Once you regain access, follow the standard account deletion steps
If you cannot recover your account through these methods, contact Twitter Support directly through their help center and provide information to verify your identity as the account owner.

20. How to delete Twitter account without phone number?

If you don’t have access to the phone number associated with your Twitter account, you can still delete your account by:
Logging in using your username and password
If prompted for a verification code, select “I don’t have access to this phone”
Twitter will offer alternative verification methods, such as email verification
Complete the verification process using your email
Once logged in, proceed with the standard account deletion steps through Settings and privacy
If you don’t have access to both your phone number and email, contact Twitter Support for assistance with account verification.

21. How long does the Twitter account deletion process take to complete?

After the 30-day deactivation period expires, Twitter begins the permanent deletion process. While your account becomes inaccessible to others immediately after deactivation, the complete removal of your data from Twitter’s systems may take up to an additional week. During this time, some of your information might still exist in Twitter’s backup systems before being permanently erased. For privacy concerns, Twitter may retain certain information as outlined in their Privacy Policy, even after account deletion.