If you’re ready to take a break or permanently step away from Instagram, you have two options: deactivating your account temporarily or deleting it permanently. Here’s a guide on how to delete or deactivate your Instagram account.
How to Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account
To permanently delete your Instagram account, follow these steps:
- Go to your Account Profile: Navigate to your profile in the Instagram app, then open the menu.
- Settings and Privacy: Select “Settings and Privacy” from the menu.
- Open Accounts Center: In “Settings and Privacy,” find and select “Accounts Center.”
- Select Personal Details: Under “Personal Details,” go to “Account ownership and control.”
- Deactivation or Deletion: Choose “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Select Account to Remove: Pick the account you want to delete, then choose “Delete account” and tap “Continue.”
- Reason for Leaving: Select a reason for deleting your account and tap “Continue.” You’ll need to sign in again to confirm the deletion request.
After submitting the request, your account will be deactivated for 30 days before permanent deletion. If you sign in during this period, the request will be cancelled.
How to Delete Instagram on a PC or Mac
There are two ways to delete your account on a computer: via a direct link or through your profile settings.
Delete via Direct Link
- Sign into Instagram and navigate to the delete request page.
- Choose a reason for leaving, then click “Delete.”
Delete via Settings
- Sign in to Instagram.
- Navigate to “More” > “Settings” > “Accounts Center.”
- Select “Personal details” > “Account ownership and control” > “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Choose the account to delete, then click “Delete account” > “Continue.”
- Enter your password and confirm.
How to Deactivate Instagram on Android or iOS
To deactivate your Instagram account temporarily, you can follow these steps:
- Go to Your Account Profile: Open your profile and go to “Settings and Privacy.”
- Open Accounts Center: Select “Accounts Center,” then “Personal details.”
- Select Deactivation or Deletion: Tap the account you want to deactivate.
- Deactivate Account: Choose “Deactivate account” and sign in again to confirm the deactivation.
Your account will be hidden for 30 days, after which you can reactivate it by signing in.
How to Deactivate Instagram on a Computer
Follow these steps to deactivate Instagram from a computer:
- Sign into Instagram: Log in via your web browser.
- Go to Settings: Navigate to “More” > “Settings” > “Accounts Center.”
- Select Account Ownership and Control: Click “Personal details” > “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Deactivate Account: Choose the account you want to deactivate, click “Deactivate account,” and confirm by re-entering your password.
Deactivation vs. Deletion: What’s the Difference?
- Delete Instagram: This option is for those who want to leave the platform permanently. Once deleted, all your profile data, followers, photos, videos, and interactions will be erased and cannot be recovered.
- Deactivate Instagram: This is a temporary solution. Your profile will be hidden for 30 days, and you can return any time by logging back in.
How to Reactivate Your Instagram Account
To reactivate, simply log in using your username and password. If Instagram’s terms have changed, you may be prompted to accept the new terms before regaining access.
FAQs
- Why can’t I delete my Instagram account? You need to log in to your account to request deletion.
- How long does it take to delete an Instagram account? Accounts are deactivated for 30 days before permanent deletion.
- Can I back up my data before deleting Instagram? Yes, use the “Download Your Information” tool under “Your Activity.”
- Will my followers know if I delete my Instagram account? No, your account will disappear and won’t be visible.
- Can I delete Instagram without a password? No, you need the password to delete the account.
- Can I delete Instagram without logging in? No, you must log in to initiate the deletion process.
