How to Transfer a Twitter Account to Another Person

Handing over the keys to an X (formerly Twitter) account can feel like a high-stakes operation, but it doesn't have to be stressful. Whether you're selling a business, onboarding a new social media manager, or passing a community project to a new leader, a secure and clean transfer is essential. This guide walks you through the entire process, from preparing the account for its new owner to the final post-transfer security checks.

First Things First: You Can't "Officially" Transfer a Twitter Account

Let's clear this up right away: X doesn't have a built-in "transfer ownership" button like Facebook Pages do. You can't just click a few settings and hand it over to another user. The process is a manual handover of the account's credentials and associated information. This means changing the login email address and password, and then giving that new information to the other person.

Because it's a manual process, following a careful procedure is vital to protect both the original owner and the new one. A sloppy handover can lead to security vulnerabilities, lost access, or a confused audience. Think of it less like a transfer and more like a detailed, secure handoff protocol for a valuable digital asset. Properly managed, it's a perfectly safe and effective way to pass control from one person to another.

The Pre-Transfer Checklist: Preparing the Account for a Smooth Handover

Before you even think about changing the password, a thorough preparation phase will prevent future headaches. Jumping straight to the credential swap misses the chance to ensure a clean break for the old owner and set up the new owner for success.

1. Create a Complete Archive

For the departing owner, having a record of the account's history is invaluable. This is your backup, your historical record, and your peace of mind. X allows you to download a complete archive of your data, including all tweets, direct messages, media, and more.

• Navigate to More (...) &rarr, Settings and privacy &rarr, Your account &rarr, Download an archive of your data.
• You'll need to re-enter your password and verify your identity.
• The process can take 24 hours or longer, after which you'll receive a notification and a link to download the zip file.

This archive is a snapshot in time. Once you hand over the account, the new owner can delete content, and without this backup, that history would be gone forever. Store it securely for your records.

2. Audit and Disconnect All Third-Party Apps

Over the years, an account can accumulate dozens of connected third-party applications for things like schedulers, analytics tools, giveaway widgets, and games. Many of these might be connected through the personal accounts of the original owner. Leaving them connected is a major security risk, creating backdoors that could allow unintended access long after the transfer is complete.

• Go to More (...) &rarr, Settings and privacy &rarr, Security and account access &rarr, Apps and sessions &rarr, Connected apps.
• Carefully review the entire list of connected apps.
• Click on each app and select "Revoke app permissions" for anything that isn't essential for the account's bare-bones operation. Be ruthless. The new owner can always reconnect necessary tools to their own accounts.

This step ensures that the only way to access the account is through a direct login, fully securing it for the new owner.

3. Remove All Personal and Financial Information

If the account was ever used for advertising or monetization features like Super Follows or Ticketed Spaces, it likely has financial information attached. It's absolutely essential to scrub this before the handover.

• For Ads: If you've run ads, navigate to ads.twitter.com while logged into the account. Go to your account name in the top-right corner and select "Payment methods." Delete any stored credit cards or payment information.
• For Monetization: Check the "Monetization" tab under "Settings and privacy" to make sure no personal payout information or banking details remain connected.

4. Document Everything: Create a "Brand Bible"

A successful handover is about more than just credentials, it's about transferring knowledge. The best way to set the new owner up for success is to create a simple guide or "brand bible" for the account. This demonstrates professionalism and helps maintain the account's momentum without missing a beat.

Your documentation could include:

• Brand Voice & Tone: Is the account a professional authority, a witty commentator, or an inspirational friend? Provide examples of good and bad posts.
• Content Pillars: What are the main topics the account posts about? (e.g., industry news, behind-the-scenes content, user-generated features).
• Key Hashtags: List any branded hashtags or recurring community hashtags the account uses.
• Engagement Guidelines: Are DMs typically answered within a certain timeframe? Are there specific types of accounts you should (or shouldn't) engage with?
• Important Relationships: List any friendly accounts, key community members, or VIPs the new owner should be aware of.
• Performance Baselines: Provide a brief summary of what "good" performance looks like. What's a typical number of likes, replies, or impressions for a tweet? This gives the new owner a benchmark to aim for.

The Step-by-Step Transfer: Your Secure Handover Protocol

Once the prep work is done, you're ready for the actual transfer. The best way to do this is in real-time with both parties present, either on a video call or through a live chat. This allows you to address any issues immediately and confirm each step has been completed successfully.

This process takes place in two phases: the original owner's actions, followed immediately by the new owner's actions.

Phase 1: The Original Owner's Actions

1. Choose a new, secure email for the account. The new owner must provide an email address that is not currently associated with another X account. This will become the account's new primary identifier.
2. Change the account's email address. With the new owner on the line, navigate to Your account &rarr, Account information &rarr, Email. Enter the new owner's email address. X will send a verification code to that email pretty quickly.
3. Relay the verification code. The new owner will receive a code in their inbox. Ask them to give it to you so you can complete the email change process on your end. Once confirmed, the account is now officially tied to their email.
4. Remove the associated phone number. In the same "Account information" section, remove any phone number attached to the account. This cuts another personal link to the old owner. If a phone number is required (for 2FA), you'll need to work with the new owner to add their number.
5. Communicate the current password. Securely share the current password with the new owner. Do not send it via email or DM. A secure method is verbally over a call or by using a temporary link-sharing encrypted messages from popular platforms. Immediately after you share it, it's the new owner's turn.

Your work as the original owner is now complete. You've officially handed over control.

Phase 2: The New Owner's Actions

This phase should happen immediately after the previous one, without any delay, to secure the account fully.

1. Log in immediately. Use the account's email address and the temporary password from the previous owner to sign in. A successful login confirms the transfer has worked so far.
2. Change the password right away (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP!). Go to the account settings and find the "Change your password" option. Create a strong, unique password that only you know. This is the step that officially severs the past owner's access and gives you full control.
3. Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). For maximum security, enable 2FA within the security settings. It is highly recommended to use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) rather than SMS for a more secure setup. This adds a critical layer of protection to the account.

Post-Transfer Best Practices: Life After the Handover

Congratulations, the account has been transferred safely and securely! Now all that's left is some minor housekeeping touches for a smooth sailing experience for both parties.

For the new account holder:

• Review and update the profile. Customize the bio, header image, and any pinned tweets to reflect the account's new direction or your specific branding.
• Announce the change of management, if appropriate. In many cases, it’s good practice to post a tweet letting followers know about the transition. This adds transparency and manages audience expectations.
• Review the muted and blocked lists. Go through the account's existing muted and blocked lists and remove any that are no longer relevant to your strategy.

For the Original Owner:

• Confirm you no longer have access. As a final check, attempt to log in using the old credentials. You should be blocked, confirming the new owner has successfully changed the password.
• Store the archive file safely. Keep the data archive you downloaded in a secure location in case you need it for your records in the future.
• Clean up your password manager. Remove the old username and password for the account from your browser's autofill and your password manager to prevent any future confusion.

Final Thoughts

Transferring ownership of an X account ultimately relies on a clear, secure manual handover of credentials. By rigorously following a pre-transfer preparation checklist, a step-by-step walkthrough, and doing some post-handover tidying up, both individuals and organizations ensure an easier and stress-free move throughout the handover.

As you begin managing and growing your new account, staying organized is key. We built Postbase to eliminate the chaos of managing multiple social media channels. Our platform allows you to plan, create, and schedule all your content from a single visual calendar, giving you back the time to focus on growth and engagement instead of clunky workflows.