The fastest way to log out of Twitter
Open the Twitter app or website, tap or click your profile picture in the top right corner, scroll down to "Log out", and tap or click it. Twitter will ask you to confirm — tap "Log out" again. You are now signed out on that device.
On a computer, you can also use the keyboard shortcut: hold Shift and press Alt, then press L (or Command+Option+L on Mac). This logs you out when ready without the confirmation step.
The process is the same whether you use Twitter's official app, Twitter.com in a browser, or Twitter on a tablet. Once you log out, anyone else using that device cannot see your direct messages, saved posts, or account settings without signing in with their own credentials.
Key Takeaways
- Logging out removes your account from that specific device — it does not delete your account or your tweets.
- On phones and tablets, go to your profile picture, scroll to "Log out", and confirm the action.
- On computers, you can use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Alt+L (or Command+Option+L on Mac) to log out when ready.
- If you share a device with others, logging out prevents them from accessing your messages and private information without your password.
Why logging out matters when you share a device
If you use a shared computer, phone, or tablet — at work, in a library, at a friend's house, or in a family home — logging out is the only way to prevent the next person from accessing your account. Closing the app or browser does not log you out. Restarting the device does not log you out. The next person who opens Twitter will still be signed in as you.
This means they can read your direct messages, see who you follow, view your saved posts, and send tweets from your account. Logging out is the step that actually stops this.
Logging out on the Twitter app (iPhone, Android, or iPad)
Open the Twitter app and look at the bottom of the screen. You will see four icons: Home, Explore, Notifications, and Messages. Tap the fourth icon (Messages) or look for your profile picture — it is usually in the top left or top right corner depending on your version of the app.
Once you tap your profile picture, a menu will appear. Scroll down past "Settings and privacy", "Help Center", and "Display and sound" until you see "Log out". Tap it. Twitter will show a message asking "Log out of @yourname?" — tap "Log out" again to confirm.
Your account is now signed out on that device. The next time someone opens the app, they will see the login screen.
Logging out on Twitter.com in a web browser
Go to Twitter.com and look at the top right corner. You will see your profile picture (usually a small circle with your photo or initials). Click it once.
A dropdown menu will appear. Scroll down to the bottom and click "Log out". Twitter will ask you to confirm by clicking "Log out" one more time. After you do, you are signed out in that browser.
If you use multiple browsers on the same computer (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), you must log out of each one separately. Logging out of Twitter in Chrome does not log you out in Firefox.
What happens to your data after you log out
Logging out does not delete your tweets, your followers, your direct messages, or anything else in your account. All of that stays on Twitter's servers. The next time you log back in with your password, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Logging out only removes your account from that one device. It is like leaving a library — your books stay in your account, but you are no longer checked in at that location.
If you want to actually delete your account or your tweets, that requires different steps through Twitter's Settings. Logging out is not the same as deleting.
If you cannot find the log out button
Twitter updates its app regularly, and the location of the log out button sometimes moves. If you cannot find it in your profile menu, try searching "log out" in the app's help section or look for a three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu) in the top corner.
On older versions of the Twitter app, the log out button might be under "Settings and privacy" instead of in the main profile menu. If you still cannot locate it, the fastest solution is to uninstall the app entirely and reinstall it fresh — this will log you out automatically. You can then log back in with your own credentials.
Logging out on a shared work or school computer
If you use Twitter on a work or school computer, logging out is especially important. Many shared computers track login history, and your employer or school may have policies about personal social media use on their devices.
After you log out, also close the browser tab completely. Some browsers cache login information, and reopening the tab might show a "Log back in" button that could let someone else access your account with a single click.
If your workplace or school uses a shared login system (single sign-on), logging out of Twitter may not fully log you out of that system. Check with your IT department about their specific logout procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my tweets or my account?
No. Logging out only removes your account from that device. Your tweets, followers, direct messages, and all other account data remain on Twitter's servers. When you log back in, everything will be there.
Will logging out on my phone also log me out on my computer?
No. Each device is separate. You must log out on each device individually. If you are signed into Twitter on your phone, your tablet, and your computer, you will need to log out three times — once on each device.
What if I forget my password after I log out?
You can reset your password on the Twitter login page. Click "Forgot password?" and follow the steps. Twitter will send a reset link to the email address or phone number associated with your account. You do not need to be logged in to reset your password.
Can someone log back into my account if I only close the app instead of logging out?
Yes. Closing the app does not log you out. The next person who opens the app will still be signed in as you. You must tap or click the log out button and confirm it to actually sign out.
Is logging out the same as deactivating my account?
No. Logging out removes your account from one device. Deactivating your account (which you can do in Settings) temporarily hides your profile and tweets from public view, but your account still exists. Deleting your account is permanent and removes everything after 30 days.