How to Delete Your X (Twitter) Account

X is one of the largest social media platforms, with over 350+ million active monthly users. However, it’s only natural to want to occasionally disconnect from the online world–including X (formerly Twitter). 

The best way to do this is to delete your X account so that you can put your addiction to the social media platform to a complete stop. Follow this guide to learn how. 

What to Know Before Deleting Your X Account

It’s imperative to highlight that deleting and deactivating your account aren’t the same. Firstly, your account is deactivated but not yet permanently deleted. If you change your mind about closing your profile within the next 30 days, you can still reactivate it and keep all of your information.

However, after 30 days, you’ll no longer be able to reactivate your account, and all your data, images, links, and information will be permanently lost. If you want to go anonymous on the platform, you can make your Twitter/X account private instead of deleting it.

It might be a good idea to back the data up before permanently deleting your X profile. So, how do you do this, and where do you start? Your best option is to use the built-in archive function. You may follow the steps below.

1. Open the X on a browser.
2. Click More, then Settings and privacy.
   
3. Select Your Account, then Download an archive of your data.
   
4. Input your password and complete the verification requested by X. 
5. Click Request archive.

You can optionally manually save photos, links, or other vital information to a memory stick. It’s important to remember that although you delete your X account, it won’t delete your indexed information on Bing or Google. You’ll also need to take additional steps to remove your information from those sites.

Another key point to remember is that if you’re mentioned in someone else’s tweet, that information won’t be deleted when your profile is closed down. It will still be online. However, it won’t link to your account anymore because it won’t exist.

Finally, some of your information may not be deleted and may be kept by X for safety and security reasons.

How to Delete Your X (Twitter) Account From Android or iPhone

It is possible to deactivate your account, but you may also consider changing your X username and display name if your aim is to stay anonymous. But if you want to leave the platform for good, deleting your account is the best option. 

1. On your home screen, select the X icon and open the app.
2. To open the menu, tap your profile picture in the upper left-hand corner of the application.
3. Expand Settings & Support.
4. Tap Settings and privacy.
   
5. Tap Your Account.
6. Please scroll down to the bottom until you can see the Deactivate Account button and select it.
   
7. A new page will open highlighting pertinent information regarding your account and what happens when you deactivate it. Scroll down and tap the Deactivate button.
   
8. X will ask you to confirm your password to complete the action. After you input your password, tap Deactivate.
   
9. The platform will confirm your decision and deactivate your account.

How to Delete Your X (Twitter) Account From the Web

The steps to delete an X account via the web are similar to using the app. 

1. Click the three-dot More button located on the left sidebar, followed by Settings and privacy.
   
2. Navigate to Your account, then Deactivate your account.
   
3. Click the Deactivate button below the What else should you know message. 
   
4. X will ask you to confirm your password to complete the action. After you input your password, click Deactivate to confirm the action.

The Big Divide

Over the last few years, X received backlash and complaints regarding cyberbullying and other negative experiences on the platform. And if you are affected, leaving X might help improve your mental health.

Whether you’ve decided to leave the platform for those reasons or simply to break away from the Information Age, it’s essential to ensure you save any valuable information before you close the account.

If you are not keen to get off the platform, remove all your tweets from Twitter so that you can continue using your account without any privacy risk,  

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