How To Make Twitter Account Private 2023 (The Step-By-Step Guide)
If you value your privacy and have already secured your other social media accounts, you may want to consider making your Twitter account private. Twitter can be a platform filled with witty and sometimes harsh comments, and if you want to restrict who can follow you and comment on your tweets, making your account private is the way to go.
Private Twitter accounts are only accessible to followers that you approve. Even if you already have followers, they will still be able to see your tweets when you make your account private. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of making your Twitter account private on different devices – the mobile app, mobile web, and desktop computer.
How to Make Your Twitter Account Private
When you have a private account, only the people that follow you can see your likes, tweets, and who you follow on Twitter.
Make Your Twitter Account Private on Android and iPhone
The following step-by-step guide can be used to protect your tweets on both Android and iPhone devices:
- Open the Twitter app.
- Tap on your profile photo at the top left corner.
- Tap on “Settings and privacy”.
- From there, go to “Privacy and safety”.
- Tap on “Audience and Tagging”.
- Toggle on “Protect your Tweets”.
By following these steps, you can make your Twitter account private, ensuring that any new followers will require your approval to see your tweets.
Make Your Twitter Account Private on Mobile Web
To make your Twitter account private on the mobile web, follow these steps:
- Open the Twitter mobile web.
- Tap on your profile photo at the top left corner.
- Go to “Settings and Support” and then “Settings and privacy”.
- From there, navigate to “Privacy and safety”.
- Tap on “Audience and Tagging”.
- Check the “Protect your Tweets” checkbox.
By completing these steps, your account will become private, and new followers will need your approval to see your tweets.
Make Your Twitter Account Private on Desktop
If you prefer to use a desktop computer, you can follow these steps to protect your tweets:
- Open the Twitter website.
- Click on the “More” option in the left menu.
- Select “Settings and privacy”.
- Navigate to “Privacy and safety”.
- Click on “Audience and Tagging”.
- Toggle on “Protect your Tweets”.
By following these steps, your Twitter account will become private, and only approved followers will have access to your protected tweets.
How to Approve New Followers on Twitter
After protecting your tweets, you will need to approve any new followers who wish to follow you. You can do this by following these steps:
- Go to your Twitter profile.
- Find the “Followers request” option at the top of the page.
- Click on the button to review the profiles of your prospective followers.
- You will be able to see the username, profile photo, and bio of the followers requesting access.
- Tap on the “Approve” or “Decline” buttons to accept or reject new followers.
Once you approve a follower, they will be able to see all your protected tweets. Followers you decline will be removed and will not be notified.
Conclusion
Having a private Twitter account is becoming increasingly popular among those who prefer to keep their views within a small circle of like-minded individuals. If you have experienced harsh comments and trolls on a public account, making your tweets protected can provide you with the peace you desire. Whether you choose to use the Android or iPhone app, the mobile web, or a desktop computer, you can easily privatize your Twitter account. However, keep in mind that making your account private may limit the visibility of your replies to accounts that do not follow you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a private Twitter account look like?
A: A private Twitter account is similar to a regular account, but it allows you to have more control over who can interact with you. Your profile will only display your picture, name, and bio to non-followers.
Q: Why would someone make their Twitter private?
A: Some individuals prefer to keep their tweets private to create a secure space for sharing their thoughts and comments with a select group of people who they can relate to.
Q: Can you be anonymous on Twitter?
A: Yes, you can maintain anonymity on Twitter by creating an account that is not associated with your personal information. Use a vague username, find or design a profile picture, and fill in a bio that doesn’t reveal your identity.
Q: How can I make my Twitter likes private?
A: If you have a public account, you cannot make your likes private. To prevent others from seeing your likes, you will need to make your tweets private.
Q: What does the lock mean on Twitter?
A: When you see a lock symbol next to a user’s Twitter name, it indicates that the account is private. You will not be able to view their tweets or replies unless you follow them.
Q: Will followers need to re-follow me if I switch from public to private tweets?
A: No, your current followers will not have to re-follow you when you switch your Twitter account from public to private. They will automatically be granted access to your future tweets without needing to request approval.
Q: How can I check if my personal information is public on Twitter?
A: You can use a search engine to see if your personal information is publicly available. For example, try Googling your name followed by “Twitter.” Any search results displaying personal information will indicate what is publicly accessible.
Q: What happens when I set my Twitter profile to private?
A: When you set your Twitter profile to private, your tweets will only be visible to approved followers. Additionally, your profile will only show your picture, username, name, and bio.
