X (formerly Twitter) Not Working on iPhone? 10 Easy Fixes

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re frustrated because the X (formerly Twitter) app on your iPhone isn’t working. Maybe it’s freezing, crashing, refusing to load your feed, missing notifications, or just won’t let you sign in. Don’t worry, I’ve been there too, stuck with a spinning wheel or blank feed when I wanted to scroll.

Most of these issues have quick and easy fixes. In this guide, I’ll explain why X (Twitter) may stop working on iPhone and share 10 step-by-step solutions so you can get back to tweeting in no time.

Why X (Twitter) May Not Work on iPhone

Here are the most common reasons why the app misbehaves:

• App glitches: Temporary bugs that cause freezing, crashing, or feeds not loading.
• Outdated app or iOS: Older versions can lead to compatibility issues.
• Server outages: X’s servers might be down due to updates or maintenance.
• Network issues: Poor Wi-Fi or mobile data can block tweets from loading.
• Low storage: A nearly full iPhone can make the app sluggish or crash.
• Incorrect settings: Wrong date/time, denied permissions, or restricted access can cause login errors.

Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Do these first—they often fix the problem right away:

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1. Check your iOS version: Your iPhone must run the latest iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and tap Update Now if an update is available.
   
2. Update the X app: Developers often release fixes for bugs. Head to the App Store, tap your profile, and scroll to see if X needs an update.  
3. Check X’s servers: Sometimes, the problem is on X’s side. Visit a site like DownDetector to see if servers are down. You’ll need to wait for them to fix it.  

If you’re still seeing “X Cannot be Opened” or “Cannot Receive Messages at This Time,” move on to the 10 fixes below.

10 Easy Fixes for X (Twitter) Not Working on iPhone

Here are some tried-and-true solutions to get X back in action. Work through them one by one, and you’ll likely find the fix that works for you. 

1. Restart Your Device 

A reboot clears temporary system glitches.

1. Just hold down the Side button + Volume button 
2. Slide to power off. 
3. Wait for a few minutes and turn it back on.  
4. Open the X app and see if it’s loading and working. 

2. Check Your Internet Connection

A shaky internet connection can cause X to display a blank feed, fail to load tweets or media, or prevent the app from opening. Try these: 

• Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular: If you’re on Wi-Fi, toggle it off in Settings > Wi-Fi and use cellular data (or vice versa). 
• Test your connection: Open Safari and load a website. If it’s slow or fails, try turning off and on your router or moving closer to it. For cellular, check your signal bars. 
• Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap (i) next to your network, hit Forget This Network, then reconnect with your password.
  
• Turn off VPN: Connecting to VPN can slow down your network speed. So, disconnect from the server. 
• Reset Your Network: If your iPhone is struggling with the internet, reset your network from Settings. 

3. Allow Cellular Access for X

If you’re using cellular data, X needs permission to access the internet. 

1. Go to Settings and tap on Cellular. 
2. Scroll down and tap Show All. 
3. Find the X app and make sure the toggle is enabled.  
4. If it’s off, flip it on and try loading the X app and posts again. 

4. Free Up Storage Space

Running low on storage can make apps like X sluggish or crash repeatedly. Check your iPhone’s storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage.

If it’s nearly full, free up storage space:  

• Delete unused apps, old photos, or videos you no longer need.  
• Offload apps you rarely use. It saves their data but frees up space. 
• Remove all content from the Recently Deleted folder. 

5. Correct Date & Time

This one’s sneaky! When your iPhone’s date and time are incorrect, X might struggle to connect to its servers or fail to open or send Direct Messages.  

If you cannot log in to the X app, this can be the cause. Typically, you will encounter alerts such as “Unauthorized or Invalid username and password” on the login page. 

1. Open the Settings app and tap on General. 
2. Select Date & Time  
3. Toggle on Set Automatically.
   

This syncs your phone with the internet’s time, potentially fixing X iOS app issues. You can also enable Background App Refresh to ensure X is always reachable. 

6. Switch to Default Keyboard

If you’re using a third-party keyboard (like Gboard) and can’t send tweets or DMs, it’s possible they’re interfering with the X’s input fields. Switch to the default iPhone keyboard to fix it. 

1. From the Settings app, tap General and select Keyboard. 
2. Tap Keyboards and make sure the default one is active.
   

Sometimes, the built-in keyboard also acts up. In that case, tap Edit > minus sign next to the keyboard and select Delete. Hit the checkmark at the top to confirm.  

Now, tap Add New Keyboard and select your preferred iPhone keyboard. 

7. Resize Media Before Uploading

Struggling to post that perfect selfie or video clip? Large files might be the cause of media upload failure issues. Try resizing them:

• Check your file size and ensure it’s within X’s upload limits (usually around 512 MB for videos, 15 MB for GIFs, and 5 MB for images).
• Reduce your photo file size using built-in tools or compressor websites like iLoveIMG. Also, trim videos on the Photos app before uploading. Videos should be under 140 seconds.
• Your video file should be in .mp4 or .mov format; otherwise, it won’t be supported. On the other hand, images and GIFs can be in JPG, PNG, GIF, and WEBP formats. So, convert your HEIC photos to JPG first.
• If you’re on a slow connection, switch to Wi-Fi for faster uploads.

Tip: As an X Premium user, you can upload videos up to 8 GB in size.

8. Check Notifications Settings

You can miss mentions or DMs if push notifications aren’t coming through your iPhone. Let’s fix that.

1. Go to Settings > Notifications
2. Scroll down and select X.
3. Ensure Allow Notifications and Time Sensitive Notifications are toggled on.
    

You can also customize which alerts you want (like mentions or DMs). While you’re at it, tap X Notifications Settings at the bottom. It will open the X app settings. Here you can enable the required ones.

Pro tip: Ensure your iPhone is not using any Focus mode like Do Not Disturb. 

9. Log Out and Back In

If the X/Twitter app is still not working on your iPhone, try logging out and back in. First, save your Post drafts, as removing your account clears them. 

1. Open the X app and tap your profile picture in the top left corner. 
2. Go to Settings and privacy. 
3. Select Your account > Account information.
   
4. Tap Log out and confirm. 
5. Then, tap Sign in, enter your username and password, and select Done to log back in.
   

This can refresh your account’s connection to X’s servers. 

10. Delete and Reinstall the App

When all else fails, it’s time for a clean slate. Deleting the app removes its old cache files and corrupted data, which can cause glitches. 

1. Press and hold the X app icon on your Home Screen. 
2. Tap Remove App > Delete App. 
3. Then head to the App Store, search for X or Twitter, and tap the cloud icon to reinstall it.
   

You’ll need to log in again and see if the app is opening. 

Can’t Log In to X (Twitter)?

Login issues are the worst, right? You’re itching to check your mentions, but the app’s gatekeeping. Here’s what to do: 

• Verify your credentials: Double-check your username (or email) and password. If you’re using two-factor authentication (2FA), make sure you have the code from your authenticator app or SMS. 
• Reset your password: Tap Forgot password? On your login screen, follow the instructions and check your email for a reset link. Don’t forget to check your spam folder! 
• Contact X support: If you’re still locked out, reach out to X’s support team through their Help Center (accessible via a browser at help.x.com). They can help with account recovery or other login issues. 

Pro Tips to Prevent Future Issues

To keep X running smoothly on your iPhone, here are some pro tips: 

• Keep everything updated: Regularly update your iOS and X app to avoid compatibility issues. 
• Clear cache occasionally: In the X app, go to Settings and privacy > Accessibility, display, and languages > Data usage > Media storage > Clear media storage to free up space from cached images and videos.
  
• Use a strong network: Stick to reliable Wi-Fi or a solid cellular signal for the best experience. 
• Clear background apps: Avoid running too many apps in the background while using Twitter. 
• Restart weekly: Make it a habit to restart your iPhone every week or so to keep things fresh. 
• Monitor storage: Keep at least 1-2 GB of free space on your iPhone to avoid app slowdowns. 

Enjoy X (Twitter) App Again! 

Dealing with X not working on your iPhone can feel annoying, but most issues are fixable with a little patience. Begin with the basics, then proceed to more specific fixes, such as reinstalling the app or resetting your password. If you’re still stuck, X’s support team has your back. Now, go forth and tweet your heart out!  

Got any other tricks that worked for you? Drop them in the comments below, I’d love to hear them!

Read more:

• Threads vs. Twitter (X): Key Differences You Need to Know
• How to Pin a Post on X (Twitter) on iPhone, iPad, or desktop
• How to Clear X (Twitter) Cache on iPhone, Android, and Web for a Faster Experience