The ownership change at Twitter in late 2022 triggered a wave of reactions across the platform. Following the takeover by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, several high-profile accounts witnessed sudden changes in follower counts. While some public figures lost hundreds of thousands of followers, others saw rapid growth in their audience. Amid this shifting landscape, many users chose a more decisive step — leaving Twitter altogether.
As mass deactivations began, questions emerged about how to properly delete a Twitter account and secure personal data before leaving. Unlike some platforms, Twitter does not immediately erase your account. Instead, it follows a two-step deletion process that includes deactivation and a mandatory waiting period.
In this guide, we explain how to deactivate your Twitter account, what happens during the 30-day window, and how you can download a complete archive of your Twitter data before leaving the platform permanently.
What Happens When You Delete a Twitter Account?
Deleting a Twitter account is not instant. The process works in two stages:
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Deactivation: Your account is hidden from public view.
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Permanent deletion: After 30 days, your account is erased from Twitter’s servers if you do not log back in.
Important points to remember:
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You must first deactivate your account.
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The deactivation period lasts 30 days.
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If you log in during this time, the deletion process is canceled.
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After 30 days, your account cannot be recovered.
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Your username becomes available for others to register.
During the waiting period, your profile, tweets, and handle are no longer visible on Twitter’s website or app.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Deactivate and Delete Your Twitter Account
Follow these steps carefully to begin the deletion process:
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Log in to your Twitter account on the app or web.
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Click or tap on the More icon (three dots) in the navigation menu.
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Select Settings and privacy from the menu.
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Open the Your account section.
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Tap on Deactivate your account.
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Read the account deactivation information carefully.
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Click Deactivate.
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Enter your password to confirm.
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Tap on Deactivate account.
Once completed, your account will enter the 30-day deactivation period.
What You Should Know During the 30-Day Deactivation Period
While your account is deactivated:
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Your tweets and profile will not be visible to anyone.
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You cannot access your account data unless you reactivate.
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Search engines may still temporarily show cached results.
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If you do not log in for 30 days, your account will be permanently deleted.
After permanent deletion:
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Your tweets cannot be restored.
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Your username can be claimed by someone else.
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All account history is erased from Twitter’s systems.
Why You Should Download Your Twitter Data Before Deleting
Before leaving Twitter, it is strongly recommended to download your account archive. This archive contains a complete record of your activity and personal data stored by Twitter.
Your downloadable archive includes:
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Account details and profile information
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All tweets and retweets
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Direct messages
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Media files and moments
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Followers and following lists
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Address book contacts
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Advertisements you interacted with
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Interests and demographic data inferred by Twitter
The data is provided in HTML and JSON formats, which can be viewed or stored for future reference.
How to Download Twitter Data on Android or iPhone
Follow these steps on the mobile app:
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Open the Twitter app on your smartphone.
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Tap on the navigation menu icon.
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Go to Settings and Privacy.
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Select Account.
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Open Data and Permissions.
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Tap on Your Twitter Data.
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Enter your password to verify identity.
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Tap on Request archive.
Twitter will notify you once your archive is ready to download.
How to Download Twitter Data on the Web
You can also request your data using a browser:
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Click the More button in the left navigation menu.
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Select Settings and Privacy.
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Open Your account.
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Click on Download an archive of your data.
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Confirm your password.
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Click Request archive.
Once the file is prepared, you will receive a notification and download link.
Final Thoughts
Deleting your Twitter account is a serious decision, especially if you have years of conversations and media stored on the platform. By understanding the 30-day deactivation rule and downloading your data in advance, you can leave Twitter with confidence and full control over your digital history.
If you are planning to close your account, always secure your archive first and follow the official steps to avoid losing important information.
