Recent controversies, including the emergence of non-consensual imagery generated by Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, have driven a mass exodus from X (formerly Twitter). Since Musk’s 2022 takeover, over 32 million users have abandoned the platform—a trend accelerated by issues like Grok’s past anti-Semitic outputs. Many are now seeking alternatives, with Bluesky gaining over 40 million users since November 2024.
If you’re among those ready to leave, here’s a step-by-step guide to permanently deleting your X account. The process involves deactivation followed by inactivity; simply abandoning the account for 30 days will result in full deletion. This is distinct from deactivation, which is reversible.
Deleting X on Mobile (iPhone or Android)
The process is straightforward:
- Sign in to your account and tap your profile icon.
- Navigate to Settings and privacy via the side menu.
- Select Your account, then Deactivate your account.
- Confirm by tapping Deactivate and entering your password.
Remember: you have 30 days to reverse the deactivation by logging back in. After that period, your account is permanently deleted.
Deleting X on Desktop (Web Browser)
The desktop process mirrors the mobile version:
- Sign in to X in your browser.
- Select More > Settings and privacy from the left menu.
- Under Your Account, click Deactivate your account.
- Confirm by clicking Deactivate and entering your password.
Again, account deletion occurs only after 30 days of inactivity following deactivation.
Revoking Third-Party App Access
Even after deactivation, some apps may attempt to reactivate your account. To prevent this:
- Go to Settings and privacy > Security and account access > Apps and sessions > Connected apps.
- Revoke permissions for each connected app individually.
This ensures no external services can restore your account without your explicit action.
Reactivating Your Account (If You Change Your Mind)
Within 30 days of deactivation, you can reactivate by simply logging back into X. Your timeline and followers may take time to restore fully.
Protecting Your Posts (Alternative to Deletion)
If you’re not ready to delete but want more control over visibility, X allows you to protect your posts. This limits access to approved followers only.
To enable post protection:
- On Mobile: Go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Audience and tagging. Toggle the Protect your posts switch on.
- On Desktop: Navigate to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Audience, media, and tagging. Check the Protect your posts box.
Protected posts won’t appear in search results and cannot be retweeted by non-followers.
Ultimately, the decision to delete X or simply tighten privacy settings is personal. However, with growing user dissatisfaction and the rise of alternatives like Bluesky, many are opting for a complete departure.
The mass movement away from X is a clear signal that platform governance, content moderation, and user privacy are now critical factors in social media adoption. Whether this trend continues remains to be seen, but the current landscape favors those platforms prioritizing user safety and ethical AI practices.
