Twitter lets you deactivate your account when ready or delete it after 30 days

When you deactivate your Twitter account, the site hides your profile, posts, and followers list right away. Your account name becomes available for someone else to use. After 30 days of inactivity, Twitter permanently deletes everything — your posts, direct messages, likes, and followers. If you log back in during those 30 days, the deletion stops and your account reactivates.

If you want to keep your account but just stop using it, deactivation is the right choice. If you want Twitter to remove all your data, you need to deactivate and then wait the full 30 days without logging in.

Key Takeaways

  • Deactivation hides your account when ready, but Twitter keeps your data for 30 days in case you change your mind.
  • You must log in to Twitter's settings page to start deactivation — there is no email link or phone option.
  • Logging back in during the 30-day window cancels the deletion and reactivates your account.
  • After 30 days pass without logging in, Twitter permanently removes your posts, messages, and profile information.
  • Deactivating does not remove posts you shared with other platforms or screenshots other people saved.

How to deactivate your account on the web

Go to twitter.com and log in with your username and password. Click the three dots (•••) in the top left corner of the screen, then select Settings and privacy. Choose Account from the left menu, then scroll down and click Deactivate your account.

Twitter will show you a warning that explains what happens during the 30-day window. Read through it, then click the Deactivate button at the bottom. You will need to enter your password again to confirm. After you do, your account is deactivated when ready.

How to deactivate your account on mobile

Open the Twitter app or go to twitter.com in your phone's browser. Tap the three horizontal lines (≡) at the top left, then tap your profile picture. Select Settings and privacy, then Account. Scroll down to find Deactivate your account and tap it.

The same confirmation screen appears. Read the warning, tap Deactivate, and enter your password when prompted. Your account is deactivated once you confirm.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

During these 30 days, your profile does not show up in search results and nobody can find your account by your username. Your posts are hidden from the public timeline. Direct messages you sent are still visible to the people who received them, but they cannot reply to you. If someone tries to visit your profile page, they see a message that the account is no longer available.

If you log back in at any point during the 30 days — even just once — your account reactivates completely. Your posts, followers, and messages all come back exactly as they were. The 30-day timer resets if you do this, so you would need to deactivate again and wait another full month.

What happens after 30 days

Once 30 days pass without you logging in, Twitter permanently deletes your account. Your posts are gone. Your direct message history is gone. Your follower list and the accounts you followed are deleted. Your username becomes available for someone else to register.

This deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. Twitter does not restore accounts after the 30-day window closes. If you think you might want your account back, do not deactivate — just stop using it instead.

What does not get deleted when you close your account

Tweets you shared to other platforms — like cross-posting to Facebook or Mastodon — remain on those platforms. Screenshots or copies of your tweets that other people saved are not affected. Retweets of your posts stay visible in other people's timelines, though they no longer link to your original tweet. Direct messages you sent are still in the inboxes of the people who received them.

If you want to remove specific posts before deactivating, you can delete them one at a time from your profile. Click the three dots on any tweet and select Delete. This removes the post from Twitter when ready, though people who already saw it or took screenshots will still have copies.

If you change your mind during the 30 days

Log back into Twitter using your username and password. Your account reactivates automatically. Everything returns to the way it was — your posts, followers, direct messages, and profile information all come back. You do not need to do anything else or contact Twitter support.

After you reactivate, you can use your account normally or deactivate again if you still want to close it. Just remember that starting the process over means waiting another full 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else use my username after I deactivate?

Not during the 30-day waiting period. Your username is reserved and unavailable. After 30 days pass and your account is permanently deleted, your username becomes available for anyone to register.

Will Twitter send me an email asking me to confirm the deactivation?

No. Deactivation happens when ready when you click the button and confirm your password. Twitter does not send a confirmation email or ask you to click a link. If you receive an email claiming to be from Twitter about account closure, it is likely a scam.

What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to deactivate?

Use the password reset option on the Twitter login page. Enter your email address or phone number, and Twitter will send you a link to create a new password. Once you reset it, log in and follow the deactivation steps. If you no longer have access to your email or phone, contact Twitter support through their help center.

Does deactivating my Twitter account affect my other accounts like Gmail or YouTube?

No. Your Twitter account is separate from other services. Closing Twitter does not affect Google accounts, email, or any other platform. If you used your Twitter login to sign into other websites, you will need to use a different method to log in to those sites after your account is deleted.

Can I read my tweets before I deactivate?

Yes. Before you deactivate, go to Settings and privacy, select Account, and look for read your data. Twitter will prepare a file with your tweets, direct messages, and profile information. This can take a few hours. You will receive an email with a read link when it is ready.