How to Delete Your Instagram Account - Permanently or Temporarily

Step by step

1. 1

   Download a copy of your data first

   Before you delete the profile, download your photos, videos and messages, because there's no way to recover them after deletion. You do this in Accounts Center, in the section with your information and permissions, choosing the option to download your information. Preparing the file usually takes from a few hours to two days, and you'll get it by email.

2. 2

   Decide: deactivation or permanent deletion

   Deactivation only hides the profile and you can switch it back on any time by logging in again. Permanent deletion wipes the account irreversibly after 30 days, along with your photos, followers and messages. If you just want a break from the app, choose deactivation.

3. 3

   Open Accounts Center in the settings

   In the app go to your profile and open the menu, then Settings and privacy. Scroll to the Accounts Center section and enter it. These are shared settings for Instagram and Facebook if your profiles are linked.

4. 4

   Go to Personal details and account control

   In Accounts Center open Personal details, then Account ownership and control. There you'll find the Deactivation or deletion entry. It's the same path whether you start from Instagram or from Facebook.

5. 5

   Select the account and confirm the deletion

   Click Deactivation or deletion, select the Instagram account you want to remove and choose the deletion option. The app will ask for a reason and for your password to confirm it's you. Once you confirm, the 30-day countdown starts.

6. 6

   Deleting via a browser

   You don't need the app - log in at instagram.com on a computer or phone. Go to the settings and follow the same route through Accounts Center to the Deactivation or deletion section. The steps and the 30-day grace period work exactly as in the app.

Deactivation vs permanent deletion - the differences

Deactivation is a pause. Your profile, photos and followers disappear from view, but everything returns the moment you log back in. You can repeat this, although Instagram limits how many times a week you can toggle it.

Permanent deletion is irreversible once the grace period ends. The account, username, photos, comments and follower list are lost and can't be restored or moved to a new profile. So pick this option only when you're sure.

What happens during the 30-day grace period

After you choose permanent deletion, the account immediately disappears from Instagram and others can no longer find your profile or photos. For 30 days, though, the data is still stored and you can reverse the decision simply by logging in with the same username and password.

If you don't log in within those 30 days, the account moves to final deletion. Fully removing copies from the servers can take up to 90 days, but the profile is no longer accessible to anyone during that time.

Things to remember before deleting your account

If you use Instagram to log in to other apps, set up a separate login method in them first, so you don't lose access. Also check that you have no active subscriptions or ads billed through this profile.

A freed-up username doesn't always return to the pool right away, so don't count on instantly creating a new account with the same name. If the handle matters to you, consider deactivation instead of permanent deletion.

Frequently asked questions