What happens to an X (Twitter) account when someone dies, and how a family member can have it deactivated.
Can you plan ahead?
No legacy tool. You can only plan ahead by recording the login and your wishes.
Digital assets
X (Twitter): what happens when someone dies
What happens to an X (Twitter) account when someone dies, and how a family member can have it deactivated.
What a family member can do after a death
X does not give family access to the account. A relative can ask for it to be deactivated by contacting X with their own identification and the death certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Can we keep the account as a memorial?
X does not offer memorialisation. The options are to leave it as is if you have the login, or request deactivation.
Sources
- X (Twitter) official help page: https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/contact-x-about-a-deceased-family-members-account
- FamilySafe guide: what happens to online accounts when someone dies
Last reviewed June 2026. Platform processes change, so please confirm on the X (Twitter) help page before acting. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Access notes.
No legacy tool and no account access for family. Request deactivation by contacting X with your ID and a death certificate. You cannot retrieve posts or messages without the login.
Sources.
- X (Twitter) help page - https://help.x.com/en/rules-and-policies/contact-x-about-a-deceased-family-members-account
- Death Notification Service - https://www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk/
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