X
X (Twitter) account suspended, locked or limited? Guides and appeal help
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X separates three situations that people often mix up. A suspended account shows "Account suspended" on the profile and needs an appeal unless a prompt on login lets you fix it. A locked account is waiting for you to verify a phone number, an email or a captcha, or to change your password after suspicious activity. A limited account, also called read-only mode, can still read timelines but cannot post, repost or like for a period.
The guides below explain how to tell them apart, where X's appeal form is and why you must be logged in to use it, what X says about spam and inauthentic behavior, why a second account can make things worse, and how to download your data while the account is suspended. They are based on X's Help Center and dated so you know when they were last reviewed.
Only X decides whether an account comes back. If you live in the EU, a certified out-of-court body can also review some decisions. If the appeal fails and the account matters for your work, the section at the end explains our help and its limits.
X guides
Frequently asked questions about X
What is the difference between a suspended, locked and limited X account?
A suspended account shows "Account suspended" and needs an appeal. A locked account must verify a phone, email or captcha, or change its password. A limited account is in read-only mode for a period. Our X suspension guide explains each one.
How do I appeal an X suspension?
X says to log in to the suspended account first, then open a new browser tab and file an appeal through its Help Center form. If a prompt on login asks you to confirm your phone or email, follow it first: that may unsuspend the account without an appeal.
How long does X take to answer an appeal?
X's Help Center does not state a response time for appeals. Keep the confirmation, check the email linked to the account, including spam, and do not send the same appeal repeatedly.
My X appeal was rejected. What now?
Check whether new information can change the case and, in the EU, whether a certified out-of-court body can review the decision. Do not open a new account to replace the suspended one: X treats that as evading enforcement. Our guide covers the options.
Can I download my data from a suspended X account?
Yes. X's Help Center says suspended accounts can submit a request to access their information through its privacy form, and requests can also go to the contacts in its Privacy Policy.