If you’re thinking about how to delete Instagram—whether for a short break or for good—you’re in the right place. Many people feel the need to step away from social media to reduce distractions, protect their privacy, or simply take a breather. Instagram offers two options: you can temporarily deactivate your account or permanently delete it.
Before deciding, remember that permanently deleting your account means losing everything—photos, videos, comments, and followers—forever. If you’re just looking for a temporary break, deactivating might be a better option. No matter what you’re looking to do, this guide will walk you through the steps to delete Instagram, either for a while or forever.
Let’s get started and figure out the best choice for you!
Why People Are Choosing to Delete Their Instagram?
Before I walk you through the steps to delete your Instagram account, it’s important to have a clear understanding of why you want to do it.
If you’re unsure or feeling temporarily overwhelmed, I wouldn’t recommend permanently deleting your account. Instead, you could consider deactivating it for a while.
Deactivating allows you to take a break from the daily pressure of Instagram without losing your account entirely. You can step away from the constant updates, recharge, and return when you’re ready, refreshed, and able to make the most of the platform.
If you’re torn between deleting and deactivating, here are a few factors to consider:
- Instagram negatively impacts your mental health.
- It’s become a distraction, affecting your focus and productivity.
- You find yourself endlessly scrolling instead of doing something meaningful.
- Instagram makes you feel like you’re falling behind or comparing yourself to others.
- Your time and energy invested in Instagram aren’t yielding the results you want.
If any of these situations resonate with you, taking a break by deactivating your account might be a good idea. However, remember that deleting the account is a significant step, and it might not be necessary.
Managing Instagram or any social media can feel overwhelming, especially with the constant need to keep up with trends and create quality content. If that’s your only reason for feeling burnt out, deleting your account might be an extreme response—taking a break through deactivation might just do the trick!
What’s the difference between Deleting Your Instagram For A While or Forever?
The key difference between deleting and deactivating your Instagram account is that deleting it removes it permanently. Once deleted, all your data, posts, followers, and interactions are gone for good. Deactivating, on the other hand, is more like hitting pause. Your account will be hidden from others and won’t show up in searches, but all your data remains intact. You can reactivate your account at any time, and everything will be just as you left it.
How To Delete Your Instagram Account Permanently?
If you’ve decided to completely stop your journey on Instagram, you can follow a few simple steps to permanently delete your account. Below, you’ll find the detailed process based on the device you’re using.
Request Permanent Deletion from Your Computer
- Log into your Instagram account.
- Go to the ‘Delete Your Account’ page.
- Select a reason for deleting your account from the drop-down menu and re-enter your password.
- Once that’s done, an option to ‘Delete (Your Username)’ will appear.
- Click on the delete option to finalize.
For Deletion via the Accounts Center:
- Go to Settings.
- Navigate to Accounts Center, then to Personal Details.
- Select Account Ownership and Control, and choose between Deactivation or Deletion.
- Select the account you wish to delete.
- Click on Delete Account, then hit Continue to complete the process.
Request Permanent Deletion from the Android App
- Go to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines at the top right.
- Head to Settings and Privacy.
- Select See more in Accounts Center, then go to Personal Details.
- Choose Account Ownership and Control, followed by Deactivation or Deletion.
- Select the account you want to delete.
- Click Delete Account and confirm by clicking Continue.
Request Permanent Deletion from an iOS Device
- Open your profile and tap the three lines in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings and Privacy.
- Click on Account, then scroll to the bottom and select Delete Account.
- Tap Continue deleting account.
- Choose a reason for deletion, re-enter your password, and confirm.
- Tap Delete (Username) and hit OK to finalize.
For Deletion through Accounts Center on iOS:
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right.
- Select Settings and Privacy, then See more in Accounts Center.
- Go to Personal Details, followed by Account Ownership and Control.
- Choose either Deactivation or Deletion, and select the account you want to delete.
- Hit Delete Account, and click Continue.
You can follow any of these steps depending on the device you’re using. Make sure to follow the guidelines carefully, and your Instagram account will be permanently deleted.
Before proceeding, don’t forget to back up your data as outlined in previous steps.
How To Delete Your Instagram For A While (Temporary)?
If you’re looking to take a break from Instagram, the only current option is to temporarily disable or deactivate your account. This can be done through your phone’s settings under the Account ownership and control section in the Account Center.
When you deactivate your account, it will be hidden for 30 days, but none of your content or data will be deleted. To reactivate it, all you need to do is log back in. If you’re not ready to return, you can also restart the 30-day deactivation period.
On phone
Here’s how to deactivate your Instagram account on Android or iOS:
- Go to your Profile > Menu > Settings and Privacy.
- Open Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control.
- Select Deactivation or Deletion, then choose the account you want to deactivate.
- Tap Deactivate Account and sign in again to confirm the deactivation.
On Desktop
The process for deactivating your Instagram account on a computer is very similar to doing it on the mobile app, but it’s completed through a web browser. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Sign into your Instagram account.
- Navigate to More > Settings > Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control.
- Click on Deactivation or Deletion and select the account you want to deactivate.
- Choose Deactivate Account, click Continue, and enter your password to confirm.
- Select a reason for deactivating your account, click Continue, and then click Deactivate Account to finalize the process.
This method lets you easily pause your Instagram presence while keeping all your content intact.
How to Reactivate Your Instagram Account
Wondering if there’s a way to get your Instagram account back after deleting or deactivating it? It’s possible, but with some limitations.
If you’ve temporarily deactivated your account, you can easily reactivate it anytime by simply logging back in with your credentials. However, if you’ve requested a permanent deletion, Instagram gives you a 30-day window to change your mind. During this period, you can log back into your account and select the option to ‘Keep Account’ to restore it.
After 30 days, though, your account, along with all your data, will be permanently deleted, and there won’t be any way to recover it. At that point, the only option is to create a new account from scratch.
Final thoughts
FAQs about Delete Instagram account
How Long Does Instagram Take to Delete an Account?
Instagram takes 30 days to fully delete an account. After submitting a deletion request, your account stays deactivated for 30 days, allowing you time to reconsider. Once this period passes, Instagram permanently removes your account and all associated data.
Do You Need to Log In to Delete Your Instagram Account?
Yes, you need to log in to your Instagram account to request deletion. Without logging in, you can’t initiate the deletion process.
Will Your Followers Know If You Delete Your Instagram Account?
No, your followers won’t get notified if you delete your Instagram account. Once you deactivate or delete it, your profile and posts become invisible, and all your data gets removed after the deletion process is complete.
Can You Delete Your Instagram Account Without a Password?
No, you can’t delete your Instagram account without entering your password. If you’ve forgotten it, you can reset it using the Forgot Password option on the login page. You’ll need access to your email or phone to complete the reset process.
Why Can’t I Delete My Instagram Account?
If you’re having trouble deleting your Instagram account, there are a few things to check. First, make sure you’re logged into your account through a web browser, as Instagram doesn’t allow account deletion directly through the mobile app. If you’ve already done that and still face issues, try clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, or switch to a different browser or device.
If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Instagram’s support team for further assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue and guide you through the process.