How to make your Twitter account private
Navigating the 2023 social media privacy maze can be daunting. This quick guide simplifies the process, providing step-by-step instructions on how to make your Twitter account private on desktop, Android, and iOS, as well as managing followers and regaining public status. Discover how to master Twitter privacy and take control of your digital life.
In short, to make your X (formerly Twitter) account more private: log in to the Twitter (X) account and click your profile icon to access the menu. From there, select “settings and support,” then “settings and privacy.” Click “privacy and safety” and adjust the settings in each tab.
Let’s look in detail how to do that and more.
How to make your Twitter account private on desktop
We’re here to help you tweet with peace of mind, regardless of your device. For those who prefer speaking their mind from the comfort of a desktop, Twitter’s privacy settings are just a few clicks away. Here are the key steps needed to protect your tweets:
1. Log in to your Twitter account.
2. Click on “more” on the left-hand menu.
3. Click “settings and support.”
4. Click on “settings and privacy.”
5. Click on “privacy and safety.”
6. Click “audience and tagging,”
7. Check the box for “protect your tweets.” A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click on “protect” to make your account private.
How to make your Twitter account private on Android
If you’re an Android user, Twitter’s privacy settings are conveniently accessible through the mobile app. Follow these steps to make your Twitter account private:
1. Open the Twitter app.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Tap on “settings and privacy.”
4. Tap on “privacy and safety.”
5. Under “audience and tagging,” toggle “protect your tweets.”
A pop-up will appear to confirm your decision. Tap on “protect” to make your account private.
How to make your Twitter account private on iPhone
For iPhone users, Twitter’s privacy settings are just as easily adjustable through the mobile app, and the same process applies. Here’s how you can protect your tweets on iOS devices:
1. Open the Twitter app.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the top left corner of the screen.
3. Tap on “settings and privacy.”
4. Tap on “privacy and safety.”
5. Under “audience and tagging,” toggle “protect your tweets.”
A pop-up will appear to confirm your decision. Tap on “protect” to make your account private.
How to approve new Twitter followers
When your Twitter account is private, you can choose who can follow you. You’ll receive a request when new people want to follow you. Here’s how to manage these requests:
1. Go to your profile.
2. Tap on “followers.”
3. You’ll see a list of follower requests. Tap on “confirm” to approve a new follower.
If you need clarification on a follower request, tap on their profile for more information. If you decide not to approve them, simply tap “delete.“
When a Twitter user declines a follow request, no explicit notification is sent. If the profile you requested to follow shows “Follow” again instead of “Requested,” it likely means your request was rejected. You can immediately send a new request, but frequent rejections may lead to restrictions by Twitter.
How to make your Twitter public
Having a private Twitter account can provide a sense of security, but sometimes you want to share your tweets more broadly. If you decide to make your Twitter account public again, you can easily switch back. Here’s how:
- Follow the same steps as above to reach the “privacy and safety” settings.
- Under “audience and tagging,” toggle off “protect your Tweets.”
Remember, once your Twitter account is public, anyone can see your tweets and follow you without needing approval.
What happens when you make your Twitter account private?
When you switch your Twitter account to private, you can expect to see the following changes:
Private tweets
Only your approved followers can view your tweets, including current and past posts. This applies to all your content, including tweets, replies, and media.
Follow requests
When someone new wants to follow you, they have to send you a follow request, which you can accept or deny. This gives you control over who can see and interact with your tweets.
Limited visibility
Your tweets will no longer appear in public Twitter searches or web search results. Also, if someone who is not following you tries to access your Twitter profile, they’ll only see a limited profile that will not include your tweets.
No more retweets
Your followers won’t be able to retweet your posts. This means your tweets will not be visible on their profiles or accessible to their followers.
Direct messages
Depending on your settings, only your followers will be able to send you direct messages.
Tweet location information
Any location information attached to your past tweets will be removed.
By making your Twitter account private, you’re enhancing your privacy by limiting who has access to your content while creating a personal space within Twitter’s public domain.
How to make other social media profiles more private? Check out these resources:
- How to make Facebook private
- How to make Pinterest private
- How to make Venmo private
- How to make TikTok private
- How to make Instagram private
FAQ
How to go private on Twitter?
Changing your Twitter to private is straightforward. Head over to your privacy settings. Look for the “audience and tagging” section, which can be found under the “privacy and safety” tab. Enable the “protect your tweets” option. This change ensures that your tweets are visible only to followers you approve.
How to make your Twitter account private?
Making your Twitter account private is a simple process, whether you’re using a desktop, Android, or iOS device. Simply head over to your privacy settings, find the “audience and tagging” section, and toggle “protect your tweets.” This will ensure that only your approved followers can view your tweets.
How to make your Twitter public?
If you’d like to move from a private back to a public Twitter account, you’ll need to head over to your privacy settings and find the “tweets” section. Then, simply toggle off “protect your tweets.” This will make your tweets visible to everyone, and anyone can follow you again without needing approval.
What happens when I make my Twitter account private?
When you make your Twitter account private, only the followers that you directly approve will be able to see and interact with your previous and current tweets. New followers will have to send a request, which you can either choose to approve or deny. Keep in mind that your tweets will also not be publicly retweetable.
Can I make my Twitter account private without losing followers?
Yes, making your Twitter account private doesn’t make you lose any current followers. All of your connections can still see your tweets as usual. However, if they unfollow you during the requested privacy period, they’ll need to send a new follow request to see your tweets again. This is due to the approval process that comes with having a private account.
