You can remove a follower without blocking them
Twitter (now called X) lets you remove followers one at a time from your profile. The person won't get a notification that you removed them, but they'll notice if they check your follower count or try to see your posts — if your account is private, they'll lose access. If your account is public, they can still see your posts but won't appear in your followers list anymore.
Removing a follower is different from blocking. When you block someone, they can't follow you, see your posts, or message you, and they get notified of the block. Removing a follower is quieter — the person just stops following you, the same way they would if they unfollowed themselves.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove followers from your profile on both the web version and the mobile app by visiting your followers list and selecting the remove option.
- The person you remove won't receive a notification, but they will see they're no longer following you if they check your profile.
- Removing a follower is permanent unless they follow you again, and you cannot undo the action.
- If someone is harassing you, blocking is more effective than removing because it prevents them from following you again without your permission.
How to remove a follower on the web version
Go to your profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner and selecting "Profile" from the menu. On your profile page, click the "Followers" tab to see your full list of followers.
Find the person you want to remove. Hover your mouse over their name or profile picture until a menu appears with options. Click the icon that looks like a person with an X or minus sign — the exact icon depends on which version of X you're using, but it's the one that removes people. A confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure. Click to confirm, and that person is removed from your followers.
How to remove a follower on mobile (iPhone or Android)
Open the X app and tap your profile picture at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Followers" to see the full list. Swipe left on the follower's name (iPhone) or press and hold their name (Android) until a menu appears.
Tap the remove option — it may say "Remove" or show an icon of a person with an X. Confirm when prompted. The follower is now removed from your account.
When removing a follower isn't enough
If someone is repeatedly harassing you, sending unwanted messages, or impersonating you, removing them as a follower won't stop the behavior. In those cases, blocking is more effective because it prevents them from following you again, seeing your posts, or sending you direct messages.
You can also mute someone, which hides their posts from your timeline without them knowing. Muting is useful if you want to avoid seeing someone's content but don't want to block or remove them. To mute someone, visit their profile, tap the three dots menu, and select "Mute."
What happens after you remove a follower
Once removed, the person can follow you again if they want to — removing them doesn't prevent future follows the way blocking does. If your account is public, they can still see all your posts and retweets; they just won't be in your followers list. If your account is private, they lose access to your posts until you approve them as a follower again.
You cannot see a list of people you've removed, and there's no way to undo a removal. If you remove someone by mistake, you'll need to wait for them to follow you again or send them a message asking them to do so.
Removing followers vs. other account controls
X gives you several ways to control who sees your content and interacts with you. Removing a follower is the gentlest option — it's invisible to the person and reversible. Blocking is stronger but visible. Muting is invisible but doesn't remove the person from your followers list. Restricting a follower (available on some accounts) limits what they can see and do without notifying them.
If you're trying to manage a large number of unwanted followers, removing them one at a time can be slow. Some third-party tools claim to bulk-remove followers, but X's terms of service don't allow automated follower management, and using these tools risks getting your account suspended. The safest approach is to remove followers manually or adjust your account privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I removed them?
They won't get a notification, but they'll see they're no longer following you if they visit your profile or check their follower count. There's no way to remove someone invisibly.
Can I remove multiple followers at once?
No, X only lets you remove followers one at a time through the official app and website. Third-party bulk-removal tools exist but violate X's terms of service and can get your account suspended.
What's the difference between removing a follower and blocking them?
Removing a follower is quiet and reversible — they can follow you again anytime. Blocking prevents them from following you, seeing your posts, or messaging you, and they're notified of the block. Use blocking for harassment; use removing for people you'd rather not have in your followers list.
If I remove someone, can they still see my public posts?
Yes, if your account is public. Removing a follower only takes them off your followers list. If your account is private, they lose access to your posts until you approve them as a follower again.
Can I see a list of people I've removed?
No, X doesn't keep a record of removed followers. If you need to know who you've removed, you'll have to keep your own notes.