The quickest way to log out
To log out of Twitter on a computer, click the three dots (•••) in the left sidebar at the bottom, then select Log out. On a phone, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, scroll down, and tap Log out. Either way, you are when ready signed out and returned to the login screen. You will need to enter your username and password again the next time you visit.
The process is the same whether you use the Twitter website or the Twitter app on iPhone or Android. The button location changes slightly between devices, but the option itself is always in your account menu — the place where you find your profile settings.
If you cannot find the menu, you are likely looking in the wrong corner. On desktop, look at the very bottom of the left sidebar where your profile picture appears. On mobile, look at the top right of the screen, not the top left.
Key Takeaways
- On desktop, click the three dots in the bottom left sidebar and select Log out from the menu that appears.
- On a phone, tap your profile picture in the top right corner, scroll down, and tap Log out.
- Logging out removes your account from that device or browser, but does not delete your account or your tweets.
- If you stay logged in on a shared computer, anyone using that device can read your messages and post from your account.
- You can log out of one device without affecting your login status on other devices.
Why you might want to log out
Log out when you use a computer or phone that other people also use — a family computer, a work device, or a friend's phone. Once you log out, the next person to open Twitter will see the login screen, not your account. This prevents someone from accidentally (or intentionally) reading your direct messages, posting from your account, or changing your settings.
You do not need to log out if you are the only person who uses your device. Logging out and back in does not improve security or speed up Twitter on your own computer. It is purely about preventing other people from accessing your account when you are not watching the device.
What happens when you log out
Logging out removes your account from that specific device or browser. Your tweets, followers, and account settings stay exactly as they were — nothing is deleted. The next time someone opens Twitter on that device, they will see the login page instead of your feed.
If you are logged into Twitter on multiple devices (your phone, your laptop, your work computer), logging out on one device does not log you out on the others. You remain logged in everywhere else until you log out from those devices too. This means you can log out of Twitter on a shared family computer without losing access on your personal phone.
Logging out on different browsers
If you use Chrome on one computer and Safari on another, or if you use multiple browser profiles, you may be logged into Twitter in more than one place at once. You need to log out of each browser separately. Open Twitter in each browser and follow the logout steps for that browser.
Some people create separate browser profiles specifically so they can stay logged into multiple Twitter accounts at the same time. If you do this, logging out of one profile does not affect the others. Each profile maintains its own login session.
If you cannot find the logout button
On desktop, the three-dot menu is at the very bottom of the left sidebar. Scroll down if you do not see it when ready. On mobile, make sure you are tapping your own profile picture in the top right corner — not a search icon or a home icon.
If the menu appears but you do not see a Log out option, you may be looking at a different menu. The account menu is the one that shows your name, username, and profile picture at the top. Other menus (like Settings) will not have a logout option.
If you are still stuck, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the Twitter app. Sometimes the menu does not load correctly the first time.
Logging out versus deactivating your account
Logging out and deactivating are two completely different things. Logging out straightforward signs you out of that device — your account still exists and is active. Deactivating your account is a permanent action that removes your account from Twitter entirely after 30 days.
If you only want to take a break from Twitter, log out. If you want to remove your account completely, you would need to go into Settings and Privacy, find the Deactivate Account option, and confirm. Do not deactivate unless you are certain you want your account gone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my tweets or my account?
No. Logging out only signs you out of that device. Your tweets, followers, and entire account remain unchanged. Your account is still active and visible to other people — you are just not logged in on that particular computer or phone.
Can I log out of Twitter on my phone but stay logged in on my computer?
Yes. Each device has its own login session. Logging out on your phone does not affect your computer, and vice versa. You can log out of as many or as few devices as you want independently.
What if I forget my password after I log out?
You can reset your password using the Forgot Password link on the login screen. Twitter will send a reset link to the email address associated with your account. You do not need to be logged in to reset your password.
Is it safe to stay logged in on a shared computer?
No. Anyone with access to that computer can read your messages, see your account activity, and post from your account while you are logged in. Always log out before leaving a shared device, especially at work or in a public place.
Do I need to log out to protect my account from hackers?
Logging out on your own device does not protect you from hackers. If someone has your password, they can log back in. To protect your account, use a strong password, enable two-factor authentication in your settings, and change your password if you think it has been compromised.