Considering parting ways with Instagram? Whether you’re concerned about your digital footprint, aiming for a social media detox, or simply no longer find the platform beneficial, deleting your Instagram account is a definitive step. It’s important to understand that deletion is permanent, unlike deactivation, which is a temporary pause. This guide will walk you through the process of permanently deleting your Instagram account using both the mobile app and a web browser, ensuring you can confidently take control of your online presence.
Deleting Your Instagram Account via the Mobile App: A Permanent Goodbye
For many, the Instagram app is the primary point of access to the platform. If you’re using the mobile app on your smartphone, here’s how to permanently delete your Instagram account:
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Navigate to Accounts Center through Settings and privacy. Begin by tapping your Profile icon located at the bottom right of your screen. Then, tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top right corner. From the menu, select Settings and privacy, and then tap on Accounts Center at the top.
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Access Account ownership and control within Personal details. In the Accounts Center, tap on Personal details. Next, find and tap Account ownership and control. This section manages settings related to your account’s life cycle, including deletion and deactivation.
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Initiate the deletion process under Deactivation or deletion. Within Account ownership and control, select Deactivation or deletion. You will then be prompted to choose the Instagram account you wish to manage if you have multiple accounts linked. Select the correct account and choose the option Delete account. Confirm your choice by tapping Continue.
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Finalize deletion after password verification and reason selection. For security purposes, Instagram will ask you to re-enter your password. You’ll also be asked to select a reason for leaving Instagram from a dropdown menu. Choose the reason that best fits your situation, and then tap Continue. Finally, to confirm your permanent deletion request, tap Delete [Your Account Name]. Remember, after this step, your account will be scheduled for deletion in 30 days.
Temporarily Deactivating Your Instagram Account on Mobile
If you’re not ready for a permanent farewell, deactivating your Instagram account offers a temporary break. Here’s how to deactivate your account using the mobile app:
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Access Accounts Center through Profile and Settings. Just like deleting, start by going to your Profile > Menu > Settings and privacy > Accounts Center.
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Navigate to Deactivation or deletion via Personal details and Account ownership and control. Follow the same path as deletion: Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
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Choose to Deactivate account and Continue. Select the account you wish to deactivate. This time, choose Deactivate account instead of Delete account, and then tap Continue.
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Confirm deactivation after password and reason entry. Re-enter your password for verification and select a reason for deactivating your account. Tap Continue to proceed, and then confirm by tapping Deactivate account. Your account will be immediately deactivated, hidden from public view until you decide to reactivate it.
Deleting Your Instagram Account on a PC or Mac
If you prefer using a desktop, you can also delete your Instagram account through a web browser on your PC or Mac. The process is slightly different but achieves the same result:
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Access Accounts Center through More and Settings. Log into your Instagram account on your web browser. Click on More in the left-hand menu, then navigate to Settings, and finally, click on Accounts Center.
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Navigate to Deactivation or deletion via Personal details and Account ownership and control. In Accounts Center, click on Personal details > Account ownership and control.
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Select Deactivation or deletion. Click on Deactivation or deletion to proceed with your account management options.
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Choose Delete account and Continue. Select your account, then choose the option next to Delete account and click Continue.
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Finalize deletion after password and reason verification. Enter your password, select a reason for leaving, then click Continue and finally Delete account to confirm your permanent deletion request.
Alternatively, you can directly request permanent removal by signing in and visiting Instagram’s delete account request page. Here, you’ll choose your reason, re-enter your password, and click Delete to confirm.
Deactivating Instagram on Your Computer: A Temporary Pause on Desktop
Deactivating your Instagram account on a computer follows almost identical steps to deletion in Accounts Center. The key difference is choosing the Deactivate account option in step 5.
- Log in and Access Accounts Center. Log into your Instagram account on your computer and go to More > Settings > Accounts Center.
- Navigate to Deactivation or deletion. Click through Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose Deactivate account and Continue. Select your account, choose the option next to Deactivate account, and click Continue.
- Confirm deactivation. Enter your password, select a reason for deactivating, click Continue, and then Deactivate account.
Deletion vs. Deactivation: Understanding the Difference
The crucial distinction between deleting and deactivating your Instagram account lies in permanence. Deletion is permanent: once the 30-day period concludes, your account, profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers will be permanently removed and cannot be recovered. Your username will also become available for anyone to use.
Deactivation is temporary: it hides your profile, photos, and comments from public view, essentially making your account invisible. However, all your data is preserved. You can reactivate your account at any time simply by logging back in, and your profile will be restored exactly as you left it. Deactivation is ideal for taking a break without losing your content and account identity.
Reactivating Your Instagram Account: Welcome Back
Reactivating a deactivated Instagram account is straightforward. Simply log back in using your username (or email) and password, either through the mobile app or the website. Your account will be restored to its previous state immediately.
However, if you choose to delete your account, reactivation is only possible if you log back in within the 30-day deactivation period. After 30 days from your deletion request, your account is permanently deleted, and reactivation is no longer an option.
FAQs About Deleting Your Instagram Account
Why am I unable to delete my Instagram account?
Account deletion on Instagram can only be initiated by the account holder while logged into their account. Ensure you are logged into the correct account and are using the correct password to confirm the deletion request.
How long does Instagram account deletion take?
Instagram account deletion is not immediate. Once requested, it takes 30 days for the account to be permanently deleted. During this 30-day period, your account is deactivated, giving you time to cancel the deletion if you change your mind by simply logging back in.
Can I delete Instagram without logging in?
No, you must be logged into your Instagram account to request deletion. This is a security measure to ensure that only account holders can delete their accounts.
Is it possible to delete Instagram without a password?
No, deleting an Instagram account requires password verification as a security measure. If you’ve forgotten your password, use the Forgot password? option on the login screen to reset it and then proceed with the deletion process.
How can I back up my Instagram data before deleting?
Before deleting your account, you can request a copy of your data. To do this, go to Menu > Your Activity > Download Your Information > Request download. You will need to enter your email address and choose the format of the download file (HTML or JSON). Instagram will then send you a link to download your data. It’s advisable to back up your data before proceeding with deletion as this information will not be recoverable once your account is permanently deleted.
