Thinking about stepping away from X (formerly Twitter) for good? You’re not alone. Whether it’s for a digital detox, privacy concerns, or simply because the platform no longer serves you, deleting your account is a permanent way to move on. The process is straightforward, but it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you click that final button.
What Happens When You Delete Your X Account
Before you proceed, it’s helpful to know the consequences. Once your account is deactivated and then permanently deleted, your profile, tweets, likes, and all other data will be removed from public view. This action is irreversible. According to X’s policy, it can take up to 30 days for your data to be fully erased from their systems. During this grace period, if you log back in, your account will be reactivated and the deletion process will be canceled.
Steps to Permanently Delete Your Account
Ready to go through with it? Follow these simple steps. First, log into your X account on the web browser at x.com. The mobile app does not currently have the deletion option, so a desktop or mobile browser is necessary. Click on the ‘More’ option in the left-hand menu, then select ‘Settings and privacy’. From there, go to ‘Your account’ and choose ‘Deactivate your account’. You will be asked to re-enter your password for security.
A Few Important Considerations First
Before you deactivate, take a moment to think about a couple of things. If you ever plan on using X again, remember that your old username (or handle) will become available for anyone else to claim after deletion. Also, if you have an active X Premium subscription, you’ll need to cancel it separately through the App Store, Google Play, or stripe.com to avoid future charges, as deactivating your account does not automatically cancel your subscription.
Downloading Your X Data Archive
Want to keep a copy of your tweets and memories? It’s a good idea to download your data before you delete. In your ‘Settings and privacy’, look for the ‘Download an archive of your data’ option. You can request a file containing your entire history on the platform. X will prepare this file and email you a link to download it, which can take a little while. This gives you a personal keepsake of your time on the platform.
Taking control of your digital footprint is a personal decision. By following these steps, you can confidently close this chapter and move forward, knowing you’ve made the right choice for your online presence.
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