How to make your X (Twitter) account private

Posts on X are public by default. Once you protect them, X says:

• You get a request when someone new wants to follow you, which you can approve or deny
• Your posts, including their permanent links, are visible only to your followers
• Followers can't use the repost icon to repost or quote your posts
• Your posts don't appear in third-party search engines such as Google
• Only you and your followers can find your posts in X search
• Replies you send to accounts that don't follow you won't be seen by them
• Accounts that followed you before you protected your posts can still see them unless you block them

Source: X Help Center: About public and protected Posts, checked 15 October 2026

In the iPhone app, tap your profile photo in the top menu, then Settings and privacy, Privacy and safety, and drag the Protect your posts slider under Audience and tagging. On Android the path is the same from the navigation menu or profile icon, and you check a box instead.

1. Select the More icon in the side menu.
2. Go to Settings and privacy.
3. Go to Privacy and safety.
4. Go to Audience and tagging.
5. Check the box next to Protect your posts.

Source: X Help Center: How to protect and unprotect your Posts, checked 15 October 2026

Unprotecting makes every previously protected post public too, not just new ones. Check your older posts before you switch.

1. Review your pending follower requests first. X doesn't accept them automatically when you go public, so anyone left pending has to follow you again.
2. Follow the same path: Settings and privacy, Privacy and safety, Audience and tagging.
3. Uncheck the box (on the web) or turn off the slider (in the app) next to Protect your posts.

Sources: X Help Center: How to protect and unprotect your Posts, checked 15 October 2026; X Help Center: About public and protected Posts, checked 15 October 2026

Our view, not X's: almost never. A business account exists to be found, and protected posts can't be reposted, don't show in Google and only reach people you've approved. Protecting posts suits a personal account, or a short pause while you deal with a wave of abuse. For unwanted replies on a public account, limiting who can reply to a post is usually the better tool.

• They followed you before you protected your posts. Block them if they shouldn't see your posts any more
• The post was already in someone's Home timeline before the change. They can still see it, but can't interact with it or open its details
• A follower took a screenshot or shared a link. Links to media aren't protected, and anyone with a t.co link can reach the destination
• A third-party app you authorised can read your protected posts. Revoke apps you don't use
• It's in Google from when the posts were public. X can't remove content from other websites; you need to ask the search engine
• If your posts were never public and still show up, X says to change your password immediately, revoke untrusted third-party apps and file a report

Source: X Help Center: About public and protected Posts, checked 15 October 2026

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