Since Elon Musk took over X (formerly Twitter), the platform has undergone significant changes—from paid verification to controversial decisions and questionable personal remarks from Musk himself. Are you unhappy with this direction? Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to deactivate, delete your account, and secure your data.
To delete your X account, you must first deactivate it. After deactivation, a 30-day grace period begins. If you don’t log in during this time, your account will be permanently deleted.
This 30-day window allows you to reconsider your decision or restore an account deactivated by mistake. Before proceeding, it’s a good idea to back up your X data in case you want to keep it:
How to Back Up Your Data Before Deletion
Using the Mobile App:
- Open the menu and go to “Settings and Support” > “Settings and Privacy” > “Your Account” > “Download an Archive of Your Data.”
- Enter your password and send a verification code to your registered email or phone number.
- Once you’ve entered the code, you can request an archive of your data.
On a Computer:
- Go to “More” > “Settings and Privacy” > “Your Account” > “Download an Archive of Your Data.”
- Enter your password and send the verification code.
- After entering the code, request your data archive.
Ready to Delete?
How to Deactivate Your Account on an Android or iOS Device:
- Open the menu in the top left corner (account icon) and navigate to “Settings and Support” > “Settings and Privacy.”
- Select “Your Account” > “Deactivate Account.”
- Read the provided information and confirm your choice by tapping “Deactivate.” Enter your password and tap “Deactivate” again.
How to Deactivate Your Account on a PC or Mac:
- Log in to the X website and open the “More” menu.
- Navigate to “Settings and Privacy” > “Your Account” > “Deactivate Account.”
- Confirm the deactivation by reading the information, entering your password, and clicking “Deactivate.”
What Happens After Deactivation?
During the 30-day deactivation period, your account, including profile data, direct messages, and tweets, will remain stored. After the period ends, everything will be permanently deleted, and your username will become available to others.
If you want to create a new account using the same email address, you’ll need to wait until the grace period ends. Alternatively, you can create a new account with a different email address.
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