How to deactivate your Instagram account (or delete it): Social media can sometimes be overwhelming, and if you feel that taking a break from Instagram is a good idea, Meta has made it very easy to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily, and it's also straightforward to delete your Instagram account entirely, although we don't recommend the latter option if you plan to return to the platform later.
We've put together this guide to help you understand how to temporarily turn off Instagram, and we'll also show you how to permanently delete your account.
Temporarily deactivate your Instagram account
By temporarily disabling your Instagram account, your profile, along with your photos, likes, and comments, will be hidden until you log back in to reactivate your account. Disabling your account is a perfect way to take a short break from Instagram. Another option you might consider is muting some friends if that's the main reason for wanting to deactivate your account.
How to deactivate your Instagram account (or delete it)
The following instructions only work for Instagram accounts that do not use a Facebook account to log in. If you want to deactivate your Instagram account but your account uses Facebook for login, you will need to unlink your Facebook account from your Instagram account and then reset your Instagram password. To do this successfully, you will need access to the email account linked to your Instagram account. Once you unlink your Facebook account from your Instagram account and reset your Instagram password, you can use the following instructions to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account.
Note: The instructions below reflect the best available method to deactivate Instagram based on the latest version of the Instagram user interface. However, the steps below may not work all the time or for everyone.
In fact, it remains unclear whether this method actually deactivates an Instagram account or simply logs you out. Even Instagram's help center article on this matter states that this method may not work "at this time."
How to deactivate your Instagram account
Step 1: Visit Instagram.com using a web browser.
If you are not already logged in, log into your Instagram account.
Step 2: From the left sidebar, select the profile option.
Select the profile option and then edit your profile on the Instagram website.
Step 3: At the top of the page, click on the edit profile button.
Step 4: Select "View more" in the accounts center.
Select "View more" in the accounts center on the Instagram website.
Step 5: On the accounts center page, choose "Personal details." Then select "Account ownership and control."
Deactivate your Instagram account via the accounts center.
Step 6: From the menu that appears, choose "Deactivate or delete," then select the account you want to deactivate.
Step 7: On the next screen, choose "Deactivate account," then scroll down to select the continue button. You will then be prompted to enter your account password.
Select the option to deactivate the account.
Step 8: Now choose a reason for deactivating your Instagram account from the available reasons. Then select continue.
Step 9: Click the "Deactivate account" button to confirm the deactivation of your Instagram account.
Confirm the deactivation of your Instagram account.
Step 10: The above steps are suitable for anyone as long as they have a PC, internet connection, and a web browser.
The Instagram mobile app allows users to deactivate their accounts, similar to steps 1 to 9. Both the Android and iOS versions of Instagram may differ slightly in their methods, but the following steps generally apply to both systems.
Open the Instagrammobile app and then:
Select your profile picture (bottom right of the screen) > Select the three horizontal lines menu icon > Select accounts center > personal details > Select account ownership and control > deactivate or delete.
Then select the account you want to deactivate, choose deactivate account > continue, enter your password when prompted, then select continue, choose a reason for deactivation > continue.
You can set the automatic reactivation option or select not to reactivate automatically from the dropdown menu, select continue, and finally, confirm the deactivation of your account by selecting deactivate account.
Deleting your Instagram account permanently
If you know you won't be returning to Instagram, you can permanently delete your account. It's important to note that deleting your account will remove your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers, and there is no way to recover them once the process is complete. Additionally, you won't be able to use the same username again if it is taken by a new user before you decide to register it again.
According to Instagram's help guide, there are two ways to delete your account: you can either follow the steps we previously outlined in the deactivation section above and choose the "Delete account" option instead of "Deactivate" when prompted, or you can follow the alternative method below.
If you are sure you want to delete your account, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the delete your account page on Instagram. If you are not already logged in, log into your Instagram account.
Step 2: Next to "Why do you want to delete [your username]?" select an option from the dropdown box.
Step 3: Enter your Instagram password to confirm.
Instagram web screenshot showing how to delete your account.
Step 4: Click on delete [your username].
By following the above process, you will have submitted a deletion request to the Instagram team. After 30 days, Instagram will permanently delete your account and all your information. Instagram indicates that the process may take up to 90 days to complete.
Step 5: As with deactivating the account, you can also delete your account via the Instagram mobile app.
Here's how to do it on iOS: Select your profile icon > the three horizontal lines menu icon > account > delete account > confirm deletion, then answer the prompts that appear on the screen.
Then select delete [your username] > okay.
Here's how to do it on Android: Choose your profile icon > the three horizontal lines menu icon > accounts center > personal details > account ownership and control > deactivate or delete.
Then select the account you want to delete, choose delete account > continue, select a reason for deletion > continue, enter your password > continue, then select delete account to confirm the deletion of your account.
It is also worth noting that according to Instagram's help guide, the instructions for Android may also work for iOS, but some steps may vary slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I temporarily deactivate my Instagram account?
It seems there is no time limit for deactivating an Instagram account (unless you set a time limit for yourself by choosing a period for automatic reactivation). Generally, an Instagram account remains deactivated only until the account owner logs back into the deactivated account, and usually, logging back in is how you reactivate your Instagram account.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting an Instagram account?
The main difference is that deactivation is temporary while deletion is permanent. You can always reactivate your Instagram account; deactivation allows you to keep the account even if you want to take a break from Instagram. Deletion does not allow you to keep the account; the account is permanently deleted. If you want to return to Instagram after deleting your account, you will need to create a new account.
How long does Instagram give you to change your mind about deleting your account?
According to the "Delete your account" page on Instagram, you have about 30 days to change your mind and cancel your account deletion request, which is 30 days starting from the time you submit the request. When you submit this request, Instagram will give you the date when your account is scheduled to be deleted. If you log into your account before this date, you can choose to keep the account instead.
Conclusion
That's all about how to deactivate your Instagram account (or delete it). We hope you found this guide helpful. Take care and stay safe.
