Quick answer
X says the app needs iOS 14.0 or later, so update your device first. Then restart it, turn off any VPN, and try logging out and back in (save drafts first, and keep a backup code if you use login verification). Still broken? Delete and reinstall the app. Seeing “Unauthorized” or “Invalid username and password”? Set your Date & Time to update automatically and update the app.
Does this match what you see?
- The X app won’t open, load or refresh on your iPhone or iPad.
- The X app won’t download or update from the App Store.
- You see “Unauthorized” or “Invalid username and password” when signing in.
- Typing in the app behaves strangely.
iPhone & iPad
Based on X Help Center “Help with X for iPhone or iPad” and “How to log out of the X app on an iOS device”, supplied by the site owner, October 31, 2026. Some menu names on X’s page are from older iOS versions; we note newer names where they differ. On a computer? See x.com not working.
Why this happens: the possible causes
Common causes, from X’s iOS troubleshooting page.
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Old iOS version | Update iOS |
| Not enough storage | Free up space |
| VPN or network | Check your connection |
| Stuck sign-in | Log out and back in |
| Wrong time zone or old app | Fix Date & Time and update |
- Outdated iOSCheck this first
X says the app is available for iOS 14.0 and above, and devices on iOS 13.7 or lower may not get newer app versions.
- Network or VPNCheck this first
X says if turning off a VPN fixes it, contact your VPN provider.
- Incorrect time zone settingsPossible
X says “Unauthorized” or “Invalid username and password” can be caused by incorrect time zone settings.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Restart your iPhone or iPad.
- Update iOS and the X app.
- Turn off any VPN.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Update iOS
X says the X for iOS app is available for devices running iOS 14.0 and above, and older versions are no longer supported. If your device is on iOS 13.7 or lower, the app may not update.
- Our tip: open Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest update your device supports.
- Then update X from the App Store.
X also suggests visiting x.com in your browser. Our tip: this is handy if your device can’t update.
Did it work? Our check: the App Store lets you install the latest X app.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Restart your device
X says turning your device off and on again can sometimes clear up issues, so try this first.
- Turn your iPhone or iPad off, wait a moment, then turn it back on.
- Open X again.
Did it work? Our check: X loads normally.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 3: Check your network and VPN
X says if your device seems connected but the app isn’t working, check your network connections.
- Our tip: make sure other apps and websites load, and try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- If you use a VPN, turn it off. X says if that fixes it, contact your VPN provider for help.
Did it work? Our check: your timeline refreshes.
Did Fix 3 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 3. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 4: Log out and back in
X suggests removing your account from the app and adding it again. X says this doesn’t deactivate your account; it only signs you out of the app.
- Before you start: save any drafts you want to keep, and if you use login verification, store a backup code. X says logging out clears your drafts.
- Make sure you’re on the right profile, then tap your profile icon > Settings and privacy, then Log out. X’s pages give two paths: Your account > Account information > Log out, or Account > Log out. Use whichever your app shows.
- Open X, tap Sign in or Log in, and enter your username (or phone or email) and password. X’s pages say to finish with Done or Log in, depending on the page.
Forgot your password? X says to reset it from your device. See reset your X password.
Did it work? Our check: you’re signed back in and the app works.
Did Fix 4 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 4. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 5: Delete and reinstall the app
X says to try this if the steps above didn’t help.
- Before you start: save drafts and store a backup code if you use login verification.
- On your Home Screen, press and hold the X icon, then delete the app. X’s page describes tapping the x on the wobbling icon and then Delete. Our note: on newer iOS versions, tap Remove App > Delete App.
- Reinstall X from the App Store. X also says you can go to x.com/download, enter the phone number on your account, and tap the App Store link it texts you.
- Sign in again.
Did it work? Our check: the fresh install opens and loads your timeline.
Did Fix 5 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 5. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
The X app won’t install or update
- Check your storage: X says if your device has less than 130 MB available, you may need to remove other apps, then try again. X’s page says to look under Settings > General > Usage. Our note: on newer iOS versions it’s Settings > General > iPhone Storage (or iPad Storage).
- Enough space? X says cancel the download in the App Store and restart the download. If that doesn’t work, restart your device.
- Still stuck? X says uninstall X, restart your device, and reinstall it from the App Store. If that fails, X points to Apple’s support for download problems.
Other ways to sign X out of your iPhone or iPad
X says there are three ways to log out of the iOS app. Besides logging out in the app:
- From your device’s Settings: X says go to Settings > X, tap the account you want to remove if you have more than one, and select Delete Account. Our note: you may not see this option on newer iOS versions.
- From x.com: go to your Apps tab (x.com/settings/applications (external site, opens in a new tab)), find X for iPhone or X for iPad, and click Revoke access. X says you can’t revoke individual items like Camera for iOS; you revoke the whole iOS integration. Our tip: this is useful if your iPhone or iPad was lost or stolen; see also log out other sessions.
X says removing your account from the app doesn’t delete the account; you can add it back any time with Log in.
“Unauthorized”, “Invalid username and password” or a wrong time zone alert
X says these messages sometimes appear because of incorrect time zone settings, or an outdated version of the app. X may also show an alert that your device’s time zone is set incorrectly: your device has its own date and time settings.
- Open your device’s Settings > General > Date & Time and turn on Set Automatically. (X’s Android steps: Settings > General management > Date and time > turn on Automatic date and time.)
- Check the App Store and update X. X says keeping X and your device up to date reduces your chance of seeing error messages.
Our note: if your password really is wrong, see can’t log in to X.
Problems with third-party keyboards
X says some people have issues with third-party keyboards on iOS, and recommends using the keyboard that came with your iPhone or iPad.
How to know it worked
- Our check: X opens, loads your timeline, and lets you post and sign in normally.
Still not working? Your next steps
- On a computer? See x.com not working.
- Not getting notifications? See X notifications not working.
- Can’t sign in at all? See can’t log in to X.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
What iOS version does the X app need?
X says the X for iOS app is available for devices running iOS 14.0 and above. On iOS 13.7 or lower, the app may not update. X also suggests x.com in your browser.
Will logging out of the X app delete my account?
No. X says logging out only removes the account from the app, not deactivates it. But it clears unsent drafts, so save them first.
How do I log out of X on my iPhone?
X says tap your profile icon > Settings and privacy, then Log out. X’s two help pages give different paths: Account > Log out, or Your account > Account information > Log out. You can also revoke X for iPhone in the Apps tab on x.com.
Why does X say “Unauthorized” when I sign in on my iPhone?
X says this can be caused by incorrect time zone settings or an outdated app. Set Date & Time to Set Automatically and update X.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Help with X for iPhone or iPad (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to log out of the X app on an iOS device (external site, opens in a new tab)
- How to change your time zone settings (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 31 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 31 January 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 31 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by X Corp.. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.