ZDNETFollowing the 2024 US presidential election, X (formerly known as Twitter) has experienced one of its largest user exoduses since Elon Musk acquired the platform two years ago.The day after the election, about 115,000 US web visitors deactivated their X accounts. Numerous celebrities, public figures, and media platforms, according toThe GuardianandPrism Reports, have also announced their departures from the platform. Users seem to be flocking from X to alternative text-based social media apps, including Bluesky and Instagram's Threads.Also: Why I don't regret leaving X for BlueskyEven before theturmoilthathasplaguedX sinceMusk's takeover, many users had reasons to consider leaving. From social media detoxes to the search for a new online space, platform migration happens frequently.In this guide, we'll walk you through how to fully delete your X account and take all of your valuable data with you. We'll also share areliable, cost-effective solution for deleting tweets, likes, direct messages, and follows. Finally, if you choose to stay on X, we'll show you how to opt out of Grok AI, whichMusk is training on your data by default.How to delete your X accountUnlike some other sites that let you immediately delete your information and close your account, X requires a 30-day deactivation period when you choose to delete your account. If a third-party app linked to your X account signs in during that time, your account can be reactivated and will remain active even after the 30 days have passed. ZDNET 1. Deactivate third-party services The first step you should take when deleting your account is to unlink all third-party services:Log in to your X account.If you're using a desktop browser, click More on the left side, then Settings and Privacy. If you're on the X mobile app, tap your profile picture in the top-left corner, then tap Settings and Privacy.Once inside, click or tap Security and Account Access, then Apps and Sessions, and finally Connected Apps.Once you've completed this step, you're ready to delete your account without worrying that a forgotten app you linked to your profile years ago will accidentally foil your attempt to leave. Show more ZDNET 2. Archive your X data When your deactivated X account reaches the end of the 30-day deactivation window, all your data will be permanently deleted from the social network's servers. If you'd like to retain your data, X provides a way to download an archive of everything tied to your account that remains on its servers.Also: How to migrate from X to Bluesky without losing your followersIt may not seem like your X data will be too valuable in the long run. However, if you ever need to access a link you shared (or that was shared with you), need proof of a previous exchange, or eventually return to X and want a list of accounts you followed or were followed by, all this data is included in your archive.To get yours, you'll need to use the X website via a desktop or mobile browser.Open your desktop or mobile browser.Navigate toX.comand click More on the left side.Then click Settings and Privacy.Once inside, click Your Account, then click Download an Archive of Your Data.You may need to enter your password at this point. Once you've done that, click Request Archive.After completing this step, you'll receive a notification that the process can take up to 24 hours. When the archive is ready, you'll receive a push notification via the X mobile app as well as an email. Both will provide a link that takes you to the settings page on X's website. There, you can download your data archive.You'll download is a ZIP with two important items inside: an HTML file titled Your Archive and a data folder that contains all the media you posted to X, such as uploaded videos, images, and animated .gifs. If anything is precious to you, we recommend you back it up locally or to a cloud storage service of your choice.Next, let's get rid of your X account. Show more ZDNET 3. Fully delete your X account Because this process differs somewhat between a PC and a phone, we'll describe each scenario individually.How to delete your X account from the webLog in to X.com in your desktop browser.Click More on the left side.Click Settings and Privacy and look for the Your Account section.Within there, click Deactivate your account.At this point, you'll be presented with a 30-day reactivation notice. Once this period expires, your account and all of its data will be gone forever.Click Deactivate.You'll have to enter your password at this point and confirm your decision one final time by clicking Deactivate account one last time.How to delete your X account from the mobile appLog in to your X mobile app (Android or iOS).Tap on your profile icon in the top-left corner.Tap Settings and Privacy in the pop-out menu.Within there, tap Your Account and then Deactivate your account.At this point, you'll be presented with a 30-day deactivation notice. Once this period expires, your account and all of its data will be gone forever.Tap Deactivate.You'll have to enter your password at this point and confirm your decision one final time by tapping Deactivate account one last time.Once you've gone through this process on desktop or mobile, wait out your chosen reactivation period. Show more ZDNET How to opt out of Grok AI data-mining X is using users' posts and interactions to train its Grok AI by default, without explicit permission from users. To opt out, you must access the X website, navigate to Settings and privacy, and uncheck the option to allow your data to be used.Log into X.com in your desktop browser.Click More on the left side.Click Settings and Privacy and look for the Grok tab.Open the Grok tab, then deselect the data-sharing with business partners option.Remain in the Grok tab and deselect the Grok & third-party collaborators option.For good measure, delete your conversation history. Show more Optional: Use Cyd to take control of your data Cydis a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux that empowers users to regain control of their data from Big Tech -- for free. This app is useful for anyone looking to clean up their X account:Download Cyd.Log in to your X account inside Cyd.Give Cyd instructions on what you want it to do.Cyd takes care of the rest.For an in-depth tutorial, read Jason Perlow's review of Cyd.Use the coupon code CLAWBACKYOURDATA for 20% off your first year of a Premium plan. The coupon is valid until Dec. 31, 2024. Show more FAQ Show more Can you return to X after deleting your account?Yes and no. Should you decide to return to X after your 30-day deactivation period, you'll need to sign up for a completely new account. You can't "reactivate" an account you fully deleted.What happens to your username after deleting X?Once you delete your X account, your username becomes available for other users to claim.If you wish to create a new account and reuse the same handle you had previously, you'll have to hope that no one has chosen it as their username since you deleted your old account. Once an account is deleted, anyone signing up can claim that username. In the event that someone grabbed your handle while you were away, you're out of luck and will need to choose something new.X will not let a new account claim your handle during your reactivation period. The platform keeps your username reserved for you until that reactivation period expires.Can you protect your X account instead of deleting it?If you're determined to keep your existing username from being claimed by anyone else, you can leave your account active and set it to Protected in the Audience and Tagging section of the Settings and Privacy menu.Just be aware that, while this will prevent the sharing of your tweets via the usual channels and forbid new accounts from following you, all your existing data will remain on X's servers for any use they see fit.Featured