``I used my smartphone for two years, so when I changed the model, all my drafts on X disappeared.'' - This sad post was posted on X. I feel like crying just thinking about all the drafts I've been working on disappearing in an instant.

Actually, this is something that cannot be helped due to the specifications of X (old Twitter). But it can be prevented if you know in advance. In this article, based on information as of February 2026, we will explain why X drafts disappear and how to back them up to prevent them from being deleted.

Why do X drafts disappear when I change the model?

First, let's understand how X's draft feature works. If you understand this, you can be convinced that it is natural for it to disappear (although I don't want to be convinced).

X drafts are saved only in the device's local storage (smartphone itself). That is, it will not be synced to the cloud. X's official help center also states that drafts are saved on the device.

What this means:

Drafts will not be displayed on different devices even with the same account. Drafts written on iPhone are not visible on iPad or PC browsers. And of course, if you change the model and get a new smartphone, the drafts of the old device will not be carried over to the new device.

For iPhone, even if you migrate data using iCloud backup or Quick Start, X app draft data is often not included. Since it is treated as app cache data, it is excluded from migration.

How to back up drafts before changing models

X does not have an official draft export feature. However, you can back it up in several ways.

Method 1: Take a screenshot (easiest)

Although it is analog, it is a reliable method.

1. Open the X app
2. Tap the post button (+ mark)
3. Open the draft list (“Drafts” at the top left of the post screen)
4. Open each draft and take a screenshot
5. Save screenshots to the cloud (Google Photos, iCloud Photos, etc.)

If you have a large amount of text, use the "Screenshot of the entire page" function ("Full Page" for iPhone).

Method 2: Copy and paste the text to the notes app

Copy the draft text and paste it into a cloud-enabled note-taking app such as Notes app or Google Keep.

1. Open draft in X app
2. Long press on the text area and select “select all” → “copy”
3. Open the Notes app and paste
4. If an image is attached, save the image separately

It's a simple process, but the advantage is that it remains as text, so you can copy and paste it and post it as is.

Method 3: Send to your own DM group

This is a surprisingly unknown method. X's DMs (direct messages) are saved in the cloud, so they will not be deleted even if you change the model.

1. Open the message screen of X
2. Create a new group message (you can be the only participant. You can also add one friend and then leave immediately)
3. Send the draft to the DM group
4. Attach the image to the DM and send it

With this, you can check the content from DM when you log in to X on your new smartphone.

Method 4: Create a memo account for private lists

Another method is to create another X account (key account) and send the draft contents to it via DM. Although it is a bit time-consuming, it is useful for people who manage a lot of drafts.

It's gone! Recovery methods you can do now

For those who say, "I've already changed the model!", let's explore the possibility of recovery.

If you still have your old device

If you still have your old device and haven't initialized it, If you open the X app on your old device, there may be some drafts left. Connect to Wi-Fi, start the X app, and check the draft list.

If there are any remaining files, save them using the backup method described above and then initialize your old device.

If you have initialized your old device or traded it in

Unfortunately, there is no way to recover. X drafts are only saved locally, so if the data on your device disappears, you can't get it back.

Even if you restore from iCloud backup, in most cases X draft data is not restored. This is because the X app manages data as a "cache" and is excluded from iOS backup targets.

Countermeasures against draft loss that can be taken on a daily basis

We will summarize the measures you can take on a daily basis to prevent the same tragedy from happening again in the future.

1. Consider drafts as "temporary storage": Drafts in X are only temporary storage locations. Be sure to back up important posts to another location.

2. Write long sentences in a memo app: Create a sentence in a memo app or Notion from the beginning, and get into the habit of copying and pasting it into X when posting. You can use Notion even with the free plan.

3. Post drafts regularly: To prevent too many drafts from accumulating, post regularly or delete unnecessary ones. Drafts that I leave behind with the intention of posting them someday usually don't get posted (speaking from experience).

4. Utilize the scheduled post function: X has a scheduled post function. Scheduled posts are saved on the server side, so they will not be deleted even if you change devices. If you feel like you've made a nice post, but now isn't the right time, it's a smart idea to save it as a scheduled post instead of a draft.

5. Drafts for PC version (browser version) are also managed separately: Drafts for PC version X are saved in the browser's local storage. That is, it disappears when you clear your browser cache. Just like the smartphone version, the PC version draft should be recognized as "temporary".

FAQ

Q. Will drafts be transferred from iPhone to iPhone with Quick Start?

Basically, it will not be migrated. Quick Start migrates app data, but X app drafts are treated as "cache" and are therefore excluded from migration in most cases. There are reports that it has been migrated in rare cases, but please do not rely on this as it is not reliable.

Q. Is it the same when changing from Android to iPhone (or vice versa)?

Yes, it's the same. In fact, itdefinitely disappears when migrating between OSes. Draft data is not compatible with Android and iOS because the app data formats are different.

Q. If I subscribe to X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue), will my drafts be saved in the cloud?

No, as of February 2026, there is no cloud sync feature for drafts even if you subscribe to X Premium. Premium benefits include long posts and editing functions, and the method of saving drafts is the same as free users.

Q. Can I check scheduled posts from any device?

Yes. Scheduled posts are saved on the server side, so you can view, edit, and delete them from any device. It will not disappear even if you change the model. Recommended to use instead of a draft.

Q. Will drafts disappear even if I use a third-party Twitter client app?

For third-party apps, it depends on the app's implementation. Apps with their own cloud syncing capabilities may remain, but many third-party apps also have local storage. Check the help for each app.

References