Want to delete your instagram account? See the full process to permanently delete or deactivate your instagram account and make sure your data is safe.
Author: Sujith Grandhi
Instagram gives you two choices when you want to stop using the app. You can either close account permanently (delete it forever) or deactivate it for some time. Both options are simple, but they are not shown directly in the main settings, which makes it a bit difficult for people to find them.
With over 2.35 billion monthly active users worldwide, Instagram is one of the largest social media platforms, making account deletion or deactivation a decision affecting millions globally.
In this blog, I will explain how to delete your Instagram account permanently and also how to deactivate it. I’ll be explaining everything step by step, so you can follow along with me and delete your account permanently without any confusion.
Delete or Deactivate are two completely different actions. Deactivation is temporary and lets you return anytime, while deletion is permanent and removes your account forever.
| Feature | Delete Account (Permanent) | Deactivate Account (Temporary) |
|---|---|---|
| Profile & Posts | Permanently removed from Instagram | Hidden from others but not deleted |
| Followers, Likes & Comments | Deleted forever | Hidden until you reactivate |
| Messages | Permanently erased | Hidden, but will reappear after reactivation |
| Login Access | Cannot be restored | Can log back in anytime |
| Reactivation | Not possible | Possible anytime by logging in |
| Use Case | If you want to leave Instagram forever | If you want a short break from Instagram |
We have seen how you can delete or deactivate your Instagram account using a web browser. Now, let’s move to the mobile apps, which make the process even easier.
Deleting your Instagram account from an Android phone can be done directly within the app itself. Just follow these simple points:
On iPhone, the process is almost identical to Android with just a few small differences in navigation. You can follow the same steps as above:
Instagram does not let you delete an account unless you can log in. If you don’t have your email or password, you must regain access before deleting the account.
Here’s what you can do instead:
Some users on Reddit have asked if it’s possible to delete an account without logging in. The answer is no — you must log into your account to request deletion.
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If you want to delete your account Instagram gives you a direct option through its official deletion page. The only way to delete your Instagram account is by using the official Instagram page. This link (Delete Instagram Account Permanently Link) takes you to Instagram’s dedicated page where you can request permanent deletion of your profile. Once deleted, all your photos, videos, followers, and messages are removed from Instagram’s servers and cannot be recovered.
Below is the exact step-by-step process to delete your account permanently.
1. Go to the Delete Account Page
2. Choose a Reason for Deletion
3. Re-enter Your Password
For security reasons, you need to type your password again to confirm it’s you.
4. Click on Delete
5. Final Confirmation
After the 30-day grace period, your account, posts, followers, and all activity will be permanently removed from Instagram.
Before you delete your Instagram account permanently, it’s important to back up your data. This includes your photos, videos, comments, and messages. Once your account is deleted, you will not be able to recover anything, so downloading your data first is a must. In fact, over 45% of users request a data download before deletion to preserve their photos, videos, and messages.
Follow These Steps to Download Your Instagram Data:
Once you have downloaded your data, you can safely proceed with deleting your Instagram account using the steps we explained earlier.
If you don’t want to permanently delete your Instagram but just need a break, you can temporarily deactivate your account. When you do this, your profile, photos, comments, and likes are hidden until you log back in again. In fact, 60% of Instagram users choose to temporarily deactivate their accounts instead of deleting them when taking breaks, making this a popular option for those needing some time off.
Here’s How You Can Deactivate Your Account Step-by-Step:
Note: Instagram says you can only deactivate once per week. If you reactivate and change your mind, you need to wait before you can deactivate again.
When you deactivate your Instagram account, your profile and posts are hidden from others. People cannot search for you or view your content, but nothing gets deleted. Everything stays safe until you log back in.
You may have followed the steps to delete your Instagram account, sometimes the process doesn’t go through. If you’ve tried but couldn’t delete your account, here are some possible reasons:
In most cases, the issue is related to login or security verification. Make sure you reset your password if needed, use the official deletion page in a browser, and contact Instagram support if your account is restricted.
I have shared more helpful blogs on deleting accounts on WhatsApp and Instagram. You can read them here:
If you are using someone else’s Instagram account, like your sister’s, cousin’s, or friend’s, and you just want to remove it from your device without deleting it, you can do that. Removing an account only signs it out from your device. The account will still exist and can be accessed by the owner.
To remove an account from your Instagram app:
After this, the account will no longer appear on your device. You don’t need to delete it, and the owner can still log in from another device anytime.
You now know how to delete your Instagram account permanently, temporarily deactivate it, and remove accounts from your device. All the steps and methods mentioned here are fully working, and you can follow them step by step without any confusion.
You can check these methods anytime, and it’s a good idea to save this blog for future reference. Everything here is designed to help you complete the process quickly and safely.
Thank you for reading this guide. If you found it helpful, please share it with your friends who might be searching for the same information. Have a good day!
