How to See Deleted Tweets: 5 Methods That Still Work in 2026

Quick answer: You cannot see deleted tweets directly on X/Twitter. Once deleted, Twitter removes them from its servers. But cached versions, archives, and third-party databases often preserve deleted content.

Here are five methods that still work.

Method 1: Google Cache

Google crawls and caches web pages, including tweet pages. If Google indexed a tweet before it was deleted, you can still view the cached version.

Steps:

1. Search Google using: site:twitter.com "username" "keywords from the tweet"
2. If a result appears, click the three dots next to the URL
3. Select "Cached" to view Google's saved version

Google doesn't cache every tweet. Popular accounts and viral tweets are more likely to be cached. Cached versions are temporary and get overwritten when Google recrawls the page.

Method 2: The Wayback Machine (web.archive.org)

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine takes snapshots of web pages over time. It's one of the most reliable methods, especially for public figures.

Steps:

1. Go to web.archive.org
2. Enter the tweet URL (e.g., https://twitter.com/username/status/1234567890)
3. If you don't have the exact URL, enter the profile URL and browse snapshots
4. Select a date from the calendar to view that archived version

The Wayback Machine doesn't archive in real time. It captures snapshots periodically, so quickly deleted tweets may not appear.

Method 3: Download Your Own Twitter Data Archive

Looking for your own deleted tweets? Twitter lets you download a complete archive of your account data.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings and Support > Settings and Privacy > Your Account
2. Click Download an archive of your data
3. Verify your identity (password + verification code)
4. Wait 24-48 hours for Twitter to prepare the file
5. Download the ZIP and open the tweets.js file

Your archive may include tweets you deleted, but this isn't guaranteed for very old deletions. Request your archive as soon as possible if you need to recover something.

Method 4: Third-Party Cached Databases

Several services track and archive public tweets:

• Politwoops (by ProPublica): Tracks deleted tweets from politicians and public officials
• Social media monitoring tools: Brandwatch, Mention, or Talkwalker may have cached versions if they were tracking the account
• Screenshot bots: Some accounts automatically screenshot tweets from specific users

Most of these focus on public figures. Regular user tweets are less likely to be archived.

Method 5: Push Notifications and Email

If you received a notification before the tweet was deleted, you may still have access to it.

Where to check:

• Phone notification history: Settings > Notifications > Notification History (Android) or swipe down on the lock screen (iOS)
• Email notifications: If enabled for specific accounts, deleted tweets may appear in your inbox
• Connected apps: IFTTT or Zapier automations that archive tweets to Google Sheets or Notion

Notifications only show partial text. Email notifications are more complete but require prior setup.

Quick Comparison: All 5 Methods

Can You See Other People's Deleted Tweets?

Only if a cached or archived version exists. There is no guaranteed method. Twitter intentionally removes deleted tweets to respect user privacy. If you can't find the account at all, the user may have deactivated — learn how to tell if someone blocked or deactivated on Twitter.

Your best options are Google Cache and the Wayback Machine. For public figures, Politwoops is the most reliable source.

If you suspect your own account visibility is affected, use our Twitter shadowban checker to verify your account status.

How to Protect Your Own Tweets from Being Cached

• Set your account to private before tweeting sensitive content
• Delete quickly: The faster you delete, the less likely it gets cached
• Use third-party tools to bulk delete old tweets regularly
• Submit removal requests to Google for cached search results
• Check the Wayback Machine and request exclusions if needed

Once something is posted publicly, there is always a chance someone has saved or screenshot it. Think before you tweet.

Want to make sure your tweets are worth keeping? Use our free tweet analyzer to check engagement potential before posting. And if you want to learn how to reference other conversations on X, read our guide on how to quote tweet in a reply.