The basic steps to log out of Twitter

To log out of Twitter on a web browser, click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Log out" from the dropdown menu. On the mobile app, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) at the bottom right, scroll down, and tap "Log out". Twitter will end your session when ready — you will be returned to the login screen and will need your password to access your account again.

If you use Twitter on multiple devices, you must log out on each one separately. Logging out on your phone does not automatically log you out on your computer or tablet. If you have forgotten which devices you are logged in on, you can see active sessions in your account settings under "Security and account access" > "Your Twitter data" > "Apps and sessions", where you can also force a logout from any device remotely.

Key Takeaways

  • Logging out removes your session from that specific device, but does not delete your account or your tweets.
  • Twitter keeps your data even after you log out — your messages, followers, and activity remain on the platform's servers.
  • If you want to prevent Twitter from tracking your activity across the web, you can disable personalized ads in your privacy settings before logging out.
  • Logging out is different from deactivating your account; deactivation hides your profile for 30 days and then permanently deletes it, while logging out straightforward ends your current session.

What Twitter stores about you after you log out

When you log out, your tweets, direct messages, followers, and follower list remain on Twitter's servers. The platform does not delete any of this information just because you are no longer logged in. Twitter retains your account data indefinitely unless you deactivate your account — and even then, there is a 30-day window before permanent deletion begins.

Twitter also continues to collect data about you after you log out if you visit Twitter.com or use Twitter's embedded content (like embedded tweets on other websites) while logged out. The platform uses cookies and tracking pixels to record which pages you visit, what you search for, and what content you view, even when you are not signed in. This data is tied to your account and used to build a profile of your interests for ad targeting.

How to limit what Twitter collects when you are logged out

Before you log out, go to your account settings and turn off personalized ads. Click your profile icon, select "Settings and privacy", then "Privacy and safety". Under "Personalization and data", toggle off "Allow use of your data for personalization". This tells Twitter not to use your browsing activity to target ads to you, though the company will still collect the data itself.

You can also limit tracking by clearing your browser cookies before logging out. In most browsers, you can do this through Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data. Choose "Cookies and other site data" and set the time range to "All time". This removes Twitter's tracking cookies from your device, though Twitter may place new ones the next time you visit the site.

If you want to avoid Twitter's tracking entirely while logged out, use a private or incognito browsing window when you visit Twitter.com. These windows do not store cookies between sessions, so Twitter cannot track your activity across visits. However, Twitter can still see your IP address and may be able to identify you that way if you log back in from the same device.

The difference between logging out and deactivating your account

Logging out straightforward ends your current session. Your account remains active, your tweets stay published, and anyone can still see your profile and message you. You can log back in at any time with your password. Deactivating your account, by contrast, hides your profile from public view and begins a process that will permanently delete your account after 30 days.

During the 30-day deactivation window, you can log back in and cancel the deactivation to restore your account. After 30 days, Twitter permanently deletes your tweets, direct messages, profile information, and follower list. The company may keep some data for legal or safety reasons, but your public presence on the platform is gone.

If you cannot log out or are locked out of your account

If the logout button is not working, try clearing your browser cache and cookies, then refreshing the page. In your browser settings, go to Privacy or History and select "Clear browsing data". Choose "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then try logging out again.

If you are locked out of your account and cannot log in to log out, go to Twitter's login page and click "Forgot password?". Twitter will send a password reset link to the email address associated with your account. Once you reset your password, you can log in and then log out normally. If you no longer have access to that email address, you can contact Twitter's support team through their help center, though response times vary.

What to do if you want to delete your account permanently

If you want to remove your presence from Twitter entirely rather than just logging out, you must deactivate your account. Go to "Settings and privacy" > "Account" > "Deactivate your account". Twitter will ask you to confirm and will warn you that this action cannot be undone after 30 days. Your tweets, direct messages, and profile will be hidden when ready, but you have 30 days to change your mind and reactivate if you log back in.

Before you deactivate, consider downloading your data. Go to "Settings and privacy" > "Your Twitter data" and request a read. Twitter will email you a file containing your tweets, direct messages, and profile information. This gives you a copy of your content before it is permanently deleted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does logging out delete my tweets?

No. Your tweets remain on Twitter's servers and are visible to anyone who visits your profile or searches for them. Logging out only ends your session; it does not change what is published on the platform. Only deactivating your account will remove your tweets from public view.

Can Twitter still see me after I log out?

Twitter can still track your activity on Twitter.com and on other websites that use Twitter's embedded content or tracking pixels. The platform uses cookies to record what you view and search for, even when you are logged out. You can disable personalized ads in your settings to opt out of interest-based targeting, though Twitter will still collect the data.

What happens to my direct messages when I log out?

Your direct messages stay on Twitter's servers. They are not deleted when you log out. The person you messaged can still see the conversation on their end. Only deactivating your account will eventually delete your direct messages, after the 30-day deactivation period ends.

If I log out, can someone else access my account?

No, not unless they have your password. Logging out removes your session from that device, so anyone using that device would have to enter your login credentials to access your account. If you are on a shared computer, logging out is important for security. If you suspect someone knows your password, change it when ready in your account settings.

How do I log out of Twitter on all devices at once?

You cannot log out of all devices simultaneously through one action. You must log out on each device individually. However, you can see all active sessions in "Settings and privacy" > "Security and account access" > "Your Twitter data" > "Apps and sessions", where you can remotely log out from any device without physically accessing it.