How to Delete Your X Account
On November 6, 2024, the day after the presidential election, Twitter saw the largest exodus of subscribers in its history. According to Similarweb, a company that tracks social media analytics, more than 100,000 people deactivated their accounts. If you’ve decided to part ways with X (formerly known as Twitter) and want to delete your account, it’s important to know the steps to ensure your account is permanently removed. Here’s a detailed guide to help you learn how to delete your X account.
Step 1: Prepare for Account Deletion
Before you delete your X account, consider these important points:
- Data Backup: If you want to save your tweets, media, or other data from your account, download an archive before proceeding with deletion. Once your account is permanently deleted, the data cannot be recovered.
- To download your archive:
- Open the X app or website.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Select Your Account.
- Choose Download an archive of your data and follow the prompts.
- Unlink Linked Accounts: If you’ve connected your X account to any third-party services (like Instagram or Facebook), make sure to unlink them to avoid complications after your account is deleted.
- Consider Deactivation: Deleting your X account is permanent, but if you’re unsure about making a final decision, you can deactivate your account temporarily. Deactivation deactivates your account for 30 days, during which time you can reactivate it if you change your mind. If you don’t reactivate, your account will be deleted after 30 days.
Step 2: Deactivate Your X Account (Optional)
If you want to deactivate your X account first (rather than delete it immediately), follow these steps:
- Using the App:
- Open the X app on your device.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top left corner to open the menu.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Select Your Account.
- Tap Deactivate your account.
- Read the information about deactivation, then tap Deactivate.
- You’ll be asked to confirm your decision by entering your password.
- Using the Website:
- Go to X.com and log in to your account.
- Click on your profile icon and select Settings and Privacy.
- Navigate to Your account and click on Deactivate your account.
- Review the deactivation details and click Deactivate.
- Enter your password to confirm the action.
After deactivation, your account will be hidden from other users, and all your tweets, followers, and profiles will be removed from public view. You can log back in during the 30-day deactivation window to restore your account if you change your mind.
Step 3: Permanently Delete Your X Account
If you’ve decided to go ahead with permanent deletion of your X account, here’s how to do it:
- Using the App:
- Open the X app and go to your profile.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Tap on Your account.
- Scroll down and select Deactivate your account.
- Once your account is deactivated, it will remain in a suspended state for 30 days. Your account will be permanently deleted if you do not log in during this period.
- Using the Website:
- Visit X.com and log in.
- Click on your profile icon and go to Settings and Privacy.
- Under Your account, click Deactivate your account.
- Confirm the deactivation by entering your password.
- Your account will be deactivated for 30 days, after which it will be permanently deleted.
Step 4: After Deletion
Once your account is permanently deleted, you can no longer access it or any associated data. This includes your username, tweets, followers, and other content your account shares. It’s worth noting that while your data will be removed from public view, X may retain some data for legal or administrative purposes, as outlined in their privacy policy.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Username and Email: If you plan on creating a new account with the same username or email address, you can do so after the deletion process is complete.
- Permanent Loss of Data: Deletion is irreversible. Once your account is gone, all of your content (tweets, media, etc.) will be lost, and you cannot recover it.
- Waiting Period: If you deactivate your account, you have a 30-day window to reactivate it before it’s deleted permanently. Once deleted, there’s no turning back.
Emerging Alternatives: BlueSky
More than one million people joined theBlueSkysocial media platform the week after the Election. Currently, Bluesky has about 15 million users.
BlueSky is a decentralized social media platform that offers an alternative to traditional platforms like Twitter. It was created by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and is built around the idea of decentralization and user control. BlueSky’s core vision is to give users more control over their data and the algorithms that govern their feeds. The platform is still evolving, but it offers a promising alternative to centralized social media platforms by prioritizing user control, privacy, and the potential for a more diverse range of community-driven experiences.
More Information
Learning how to delete your X account is a straightforward process, but it’s essential to understand the implications. Take time to back up your data, unlink third-party apps, and ensure that you’re ready to part ways with the platform before proceeding. If you’re unsure, consider deactivating your account temporarily so you have time to think it over. Once deleted, your account and its content are gone for good.
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