How to Make Your X Account (Formerly Twitter) Private

When you want only your followers to see your posts

What to Know

  • iOS: Select profile icon > Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety > turn on Protect Your Tweets.
  • Android: Select profile icon or three lines > Settings and Privacy > Privacy and Safety > Protect Your Tweets.
  • Browser: Select three dots > Settings & Privacy > Privacy & Safety > Audience & Tagging > Protect Tweets.

This article explains how to set your X (formerly Twitter )account to private using the iOS app, the Android app, and your web browser. Once set to private, only your followers will be able to see your account information and what you post.

How to Protect Your Posts in the App

After you protect your posts and make them private, accounts that followed you before you went private will still be able to see your feed unless you block them.

When you first create your account, it's public by default, and anyone can follow you. If you lock it, you'll need to individually approve follow requests.

Instructions for iOS

If you're using X on your iPhone or iPad, here's what to do:

  1. Tap your profile icon.

  2. Go to Settings and Privacy.

    Access Twitter profile's Settings and privacy
  3. Tap Privacy and Safety.

  4. In the Protect Your Tweets section, toggle on the slider. Your account information will now be seen only by your followers, and you'll need to approve any new follower requests.

    Protect your tweets to keep your Twitter account private

    When you lock your account, a padlock icon will appear next to your profile. If you come across a user profile you don't follow and see a padlock icon, they've protected their account, and you'll need to send a request to become an approved follower.

Instructions for Android

If you're using your Android smartphone or tablet, here's what to do:

  1. Tap your profile icon or Menu (three lines), depending on your Android version.

  2. Select Settings and Privacy.

    Twitter Android app with Account and Settings and Privacy highlighted
  3. Select Privacy and Safety.

  4. Next to Protect Your Tweets, toggle the slider to on. (On some phones, you'll check a box.)

    Twitter Android app with Privacy and Safety and Protect Your Tweets highlighted

Instructions for a Web Browser

If you're using X on your desktop computer via a web browser, here's what to do:

  1. Select More (three dots) from the menu on the left.

    Navigate to Twitter.com, log in to your account, and select More (three dots) from the menu on the left.
  2. Tap Settings and Privacy.

    Tap Settings and Privacy.
  3. Tap Privacy and Safety.

    Tap Privacy and Safety.
  4. Tap Audience and Tagging.

    Tap Audience and Tagging.
  5. Select the box next to Protect Your Tweets to add a checkmark.

    Select the box next to Protect Your Tweets to add a checkmark.
  6. Select Protect to confirm. Your posts and account information are now visible only to your followers.

    Select Protect to confirm.
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