You can edit a tweet for up to 30 minutes after posting it

Twitter's edit feature lets you change the text, add or remove images, and fix links in a tweet you have already published. The edited version replaces the original, and anyone who saw the first version will see the updated one instead. Edits are available only on Twitter's web version and official mobile apps — not on third-party apps or older versions of the platform.

The 30-minute window starts the moment you hit post. After that time passes, the edit button disappears and you cannot change the tweet. If you need to make changes after 30 minutes, you will have to delete the tweet and post a new one.

Key Takeaways

  • You have 30 minutes from the time you post to edit a tweet, after which the option disappears permanently.
  • Edits appear instantly to all users — there is no separate "edited" version that people see first.
  • You can change text, swap images, remove media, or update links, but you cannot change who the tweet is replying to or quoted from.
  • The edit feature works on Twitter's website and official mobile apps, but not on third-party clients or older app versions.

How to edit a tweet on the web

Open Twitter in your browser and find the tweet you want to change. Hover your mouse over the tweet until a menu of icons appears in the top right corner. Click the three dots (more options) icon. A dropdown menu will show several choices, including "Edit post" — click that option.

A text box will open with your original tweet. Make whatever changes you need: rewrite sentences, fix typos, add or remove hashtags, or change links. If you want to change the images, click the X on any image you want to remove, then click the image icon to upload a new one. When you are finished, click "Post" to save the changes. The updated tweet replaces the original immediately.

How to edit a tweet on mobile

Open the Twitter app on your phone and find the tweet. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the tweet. A menu will appear with several options — tap "Edit post." The editing screen opens with your original text.

Make your changes the same way you would on the web: rewrite text, fix spelling, add or remove hashtags. To change images, tap the X on any image you want to remove, then tap the image icon to add a new one. When you are done, tap "Post" to save. The changes go live immediately.

What you can and cannot change

You can edit the main text of the tweet, add or remove images, change links, and modify hashtags. You can also delete images entirely and replace them with different ones. However, you cannot change the tweet you are replying to, change a quoted tweet, or alter who the tweet is directed at.

If you need to change any of those things, you will have to delete the tweet and post a new one. The same applies if you want to change the poll options in a tweet that includes a poll — polls cannot be edited at all.

What happens to retweets and likes after you edit

Retweets and likes stay attached to the tweet even after you edit it. The count does not reset, and people who already liked or retweeted the original version do not have to do anything again. However, anyone who retweets after you edit will be sharing the new version, not the old one.

If your edit is significant enough that people might want to reconsider their retweet, you may want to post a follow-up tweet explaining the change. This is especially true if you corrected misinformation or changed a key detail.

Why you might not see the edit button

The edit button only appears on tweets posted within the last 30 minutes. If you are trying to edit an older tweet, the button will not show up. You also will not see the edit option if you are using a third-party app like TweetDeck (the official version) or Hootsuite — those apps do not yet support Twitter's edit feature.

If you are on the official Twitter app or website and still cannot find the edit button, make sure you are looking at a tweet you posted yourself. You cannot edit tweets from other people, even if you have a verified account or special permissions.

When to delete and repost instead of editing

If more than 30 minutes have passed, you have no choice — delete the tweet and post a new one. You should also consider deleting and reposting if the edit is so major that the original tweet and the new one would look completely different to someone reading the thread. In those cases, a fresh post makes the change more visible to people who saw the first version.

If you made a factual error that people have already started replying to or sharing, deleting the original and posting a corrected version is often clearer than editing silently. You might also add a reply to your new tweet explaining what changed, so people understand why there are two similar tweets in the thread.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Twitter notify people when you edit a tweet?

No. Twitter does not send notifications when you edit a tweet, and there is no "edited" label visible to other users. The updated version simply replaces the original. People who saw the first version will see the new one if they look at the tweet again, but they will not be alerted that a change happened.

Can you edit a tweet after someone quotes it?

Yes, you can still edit your tweet even if someone has quoted it. However, the quote will show the original version you posted, not the edited one. The person who quoted you would have to delete their quote and post a new one to show the updated version.

What happens if you edit a tweet that has replies?

The replies stay attached to the tweet and remain visible. Editing does not affect the conversation thread. If your edit changes the meaning of the tweet significantly, the replies might look out of context, but they will not disappear or move.

Can you edit a tweet you retweeted?

No. You can only edit tweets that you originally posted. If you retweeted someone else's tweet and want to change something about it, you will have to delete the retweet and post a new one with your own text or commentary.

Does editing a tweet change when it appears in search results?

Edits do not change the tweet's timestamp or position in search results. The tweet keeps its original post time, so it will appear in the same place in chronological feeds and searches as it did before the edit.