Short answer
Download your archive, then go to Settings and privacy > Your account > Deactivate your account; after 30 days without logging in, X permanently deletes the account.
Key takeaways
- Deactivation starts a 30-day countdown; logging in during that time cancels it.
- Download your archive first: deleted accounts can't be recovered.
- Cancel any X Premium subscription separately, especially if you pay through Apple or Google.
X doesn't have an instant "delete forever" button. You deactivate the account, and X deletes it 30 days later if you stay away. A few steps beforehand save regrets.
What should I do before deleting?
Download your data, cancel subscriptions, and decide what to do with your username.
- Download your archive: Settings and privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data. It includes your posts, media, likes and messages, and it takes a day or more to prepare.
- Cancel X Premium where you bought it (x.com, Apple or Google). Deactivation doesn't cancel app store billing.
- Disconnect apps that log in with X (Settings > Security and account access > Apps and sessions), and set another login on sites where you used "Sign in with X".
- Keep your username? Change it to something random first, then claim the real one on a new account.
How do I deactivate on the web?
Settings and privacy > Your account > Deactivate your account.
Read the notes, click Deactivate, enter your password and confirm. You're logged out and your profile disappears from view.
How do I deactivate in the app?
Profile photo > Settings and privacy > Your account > Deactivate account.
Tap Deactivate, enter your password and confirm.
What happens during the 30 days?
Your account is hidden but recoverable; logging in at any point reactivates it.
That includes logging in by accident through an app that still has access, which is why step 3 matters. After 30 days the account and its data are deleted from X, and the username becomes available to others. See how to reactivate an X account if you change your mind.
Is there an alternative to deleting?
Yes: delete old posts, protect your account, or deactivate and simply never return.
If the problem is your history, delete old posts and keep the account. If it's attention, protect your posts so only approved followers see them. Our privacy settings guide lists the options.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to delete an X account?
30 days after deactivation. Your profile disappears from X almost immediately, but the account is only permanently deleted when the 30-day window ends.
Do my posts disappear from Google immediately?
No. Search engines may show cached copies for a while. Archives and other people's screenshots or quotes are outside X's control.
Can I keep my username for a new account?
Change the username on the old account before you deactivate, then claim the original name on the new account. Otherwise it's locked during the 30 days and released afterward.