How to delete an Instagram account permanently or temporarily
8 min read
Instagram is a social media app with billions of users, but you might not want to be one of them. Whether you’ve decided to permanently delete Instagram or just want to take a break from the Meta-owned application, this article will give you a step-by-step guide to do so.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Things to consider before deleting your Instagram account
Let’s look at what you should know before deleting your Instagram account now, so you don’t have to regret it later.
Differences between permanently deleting and deactivating an Instagram account
If you feel it’s time to take a break from Instagram, one of the largest social networks, you have two choices: delete or deactivate your account. There is a big difference between the two.
Suspending your Instagram account hides your comments, likes, all your photos, videos, followers count, and other details. Once you temporarily disable the account, no one will be able to see your profile, but you can still access your private messages, for example. Deactivation is easily reversible, and you can pick up where you left off at any time by logging into Instagram via the app or website.
Once you delete your account, Instagram will permanently delete all your profile content, including the photos, reels, mentions, comments, likes, and followers list. If you want to access your profile data in the future, we recommend you download a backup copy before deleting your account.
A deleted Instagram account can no longer be restored after 30 days
Once you press the delete button, your Instagram account is no longer publicly available. However, you have 30 days to change your mind. If you decide to return to Instagram, log back in with your username and password, and you will regain access to your profile.
After 30 days following the deletion request, Instagram permanently deletes all of your data – you will not be able to use or restore the account. This is why we suggest you save your photos, videos, archived posts, DM exchanges, and other relevant information from Instagram before deleting your account.
Backup and download your Instagram account’s data before deletion
Instagram allows you to manage your data and download it if you decide to delete your account. Backup your photos, posted stories, reels, archived posts, and other data in case you need it in the future. Remember – once you delete your Instagram account, Instagram’s Data Download tool will not be accessible anymore.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on downloading your Instagram data on the Instagram app and website.
For the app
- Go to your profile, tap the three lines on the top right, and open “Your activity.”
- Select “Download your information.”
- Enter your email address and click “Request download.”
For the website
- Click “More” on the bottom left and tap “Settings.”
- Select “Privacy and security.”
- Select “Request download.”
- Enter your email address and confirm.
Once you request the information, it might take up to 14 days for Instagram to email you the download link.
How can I delete an Instagram account permanently?
Follow these steps to delete your Instagram account. The account deletion process is different on an iPhone, Android, or the website.
How can I delete an Instagram account on my iPhone or Android?
The process for deleting Instagram is the same for both iPhone and Android.
- Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner of your profile and tap “Settings.”
- Tap “Accounts Center” > “Personal details.”
- Tap “Account ownership and control” > “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Select the account you want to delete.
- Tap “Delete account” > “Continue.”
How can I delete an Instagram account on a web browser?
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow you to delete your account on its Android and website versions. To delete your Instagram account, you need to access the Instagram account deletion page on your mobile web browser or computer. Follow these steps:
- Log in to your account.
- Choose a reason why you want to delete your account.
- Re-enter your password.
- Select “Delete account.”
Where can I find the Instagram account deletion page?
You may be wondering where to find that Instagram deletion page mentioned above. Here are the instructions:
- Select “Settings” on your profile.
- Press “Help” and head to “Help center.”
- Select “Manage your account” on the left.
- Click “Delete your account.”
Remember – you can only access the Instagram help center via the website, so open Instagram on any web browser to find the deletion page.
How to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily
If you want to take a break from Instagram, you don’t need to permanently delete your account. You can suspend your profile and return whenever you like. Follow the steps below to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on Android or iOS. edited
How to deactivate your Instagram account on Android
To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on Android, follow these steps:
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap the menu icon (≡) in the top right.
- Tap “Accounts center” > “Personal details.”
- Tap “Account ownership and control” > “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Tap the account that you’d like to temporarily deactivate.
- Tap “Deactivate account” > “Continue.”
- Re-enter your password and tap “Continue.”
- Select the reason to deactivate your account, then tap “Continue.”
- Tap “Deactivate account.”
How to deactivate your Instagram account on iOS
To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on iOS, follow these steps:
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap the menu icon (≡) in the top right.
- Tap “Accounts center” > “Personal details.”
- Tap “Account ownership and control” > “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Tap the account that you’d like to temporarily deactivate.
- Tap “Deactivate account” > “Continue.”
- Re-enter your password and tap “Continue.”
- Select the reason to deactivate your account, then tap “Continue.”
- Tap “Deactivate account.”
How to delete or disable Instagram without a username or password
To delete your Instagram account, you must be logged in to your account. If you forgot your login credentials, you can recover your account in a few different ways:
- Recover your password with a mobile number. Tap “Forgot password” on the login page and enter your phone number. Instagram will send a login link to your inbox, and you’ll be able to reset your account password. Once done, head to the Instagram account deletion page and delete your account.
- Recover your password through Facebook. If you’ve linked your Instagram and Facebook accounts, there’s a good chance the recovery will work. Click on “Login with Facebook” below the login tab and select “Continue as Your Name.” You will log into your Instagram account and be able to change your password.
- Contact the Instagram Support Centre. Write an email to support@instagram.com and describe the situation. Instagram will send you a code and if everything goes well, you’ll recover your account.
Once you have restored your account, follow the deletion or deactivation instructions provided above.
Reasons to leave Instagram
With over a billion users worldwide, Instagram is one of the leading social networks we use to communicate and share experiences, tips, photos, and reels. But that doesn’t mean Instagram is safe for our well-being and cybersecurity. Below are the reasons why users decide to leave Instagram.
- People often feel like they are wasting time scrolling through an endless column of photos and reels.
- Instagram users face different forms of cyberbullying on the platform every day.
- People sometimes leave Instagram due to social media privacy concerns.
- Many of the platform’s users leave because they are concerned about their mental health and well-being. Seeing influencers on social networks who are always happy and beautiful sometimes leads to people comparing themselves with what they see on Instagram. People may become depressed, feel lonely, and develop social anxiety, though social media often doesn’t portray reality as it is.
- Some users leave due to Instagram scams. Social media fraudsters are thriving and developing ways to exploit the Instagram app and its community by stealing sensitive data, accounts, and money.
- Sometimes, Instagram users leave the platform to delete Threads accounts. To encourage you to stay on Threads, Meta links your Threads account with your Instagram account, which means that the only way to delete Threads is to delete your linked Instagram profile.
VPN service providers such as NordVPN offer additional security solutions if you’re concerned about data leaks. Dark Web Monitor continuously scans the dark web and will notify you about exposed personal data so you can take proper action. If you decide to keep your Instagram account, ensure your browsing experience is safe and consequence-free.