What happens to an X (Twitter) account when someone dies, and how a family member can have it deactivated.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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