This article explains how to set your 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.

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.

How to Protect Your Tweets on the Twitter App

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

Twitter for iOS

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

When you first create your Twitter account, your tweets are public by default, and anyone can follow you. If you protect your tweets, you’ll need to individually approve follow requests.

  • Open Twitter on your iOS device and tap your profile icon.
  • Tap Settings and Privacy.
  • Tap Privacy and Safety.
  • In the Protect Your Tweets section, toggle on the slider. Your tweets and account information will now be seen only by your followers, and you’ll need to approve any new follower requests.
  • When you lock your account, 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 tweets and you’ll need to become an approved follower.

Twitter for Android

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

Open Twitter on your iOS device and tap your profile icon.

Tap Settings and Privacy.

Tap Privacy and Safety.

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

When you lock your account, 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 tweets and you’ll need to become an approved follower.

  • Open Twitter on your Android device and tap your profile icon or Menu (three lines), depending on your Android version.
  • Select Settings and Privacy.
  • Select Privacy and Safety.
  • Next to Protect Your Tweets, toggle the slider to on. (On some phones, you’ll check a box.)

Twitter in a Web Browser

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

Open Twitter on your Android device and tap your profile icon or Menu (three lines), depending on your Android version.

Select Settings and Privacy.

Select Privacy and Safety.

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

  • Navigate to Twitter, log in to your account, and select More (three dots) from the menu on the left.
  • Tap Settings and Privacy.
  • Tap Privacy and Safety.
  • Tap Audience and Tagging.
  • Select the box next to Protect Your Tweets to add a checkmark.
  • Select Protect to confirm. Your tweets and account information are now visible only to your Twitter followers.

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

Tap Audience and Tagging.

Select the box next to Protect Your Tweets to add a checkmark.

Select Protect to confirm. Your tweets and account information are now visible only to your Twitter followers.

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