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If you're worried about your privacy, safety, or feel like you're spending too much time on Instagram, don't worry — deleting your account is easy. This guide will help you delete your Instagram permanently or just deactivate it for a break.
Social media apps like Instagram are fun and convenient, but they can also be distracting and raise privacy and safety concerns. The more you share online, the easier it is for companies and hackers to track you and collect your personal information.
That’s why many people choose to delete their accounts or take a break from social media. Whether you want to delete, deactivate, or just make your Instagram account private, this guide will show you how to do it on both your phone and computer. If you’re planning to delete your account, you might want to save your photos and other data first—just scroll down to our section on downloading your Instagram data so you don’t lose anything important.
How to Delete Instagram Account on Your Phone (Android or iPhone)
To delete your Instagram account on an Android or iPhone, you’ll need to go to the Accounts Center in the app. There, you can choose to delete your account. Once you do this, your account will first be disabled for 30 days, meaning no one can see your profile during that time. If you log back in within those 30 days, your account will be reactivated. If not, it will be permanently deleted.
Here’s how to delete your Instagram account using the app:
- Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
- Tap the three-line menu in the top right.
- Go to Accounts Center > Personal details.
- Tap Account ownership and control.
- Choose Deactivation or deletion.
- Select the account you want to delete.
- Tap Delete account, then tap Continue to confirm.
After you confirm, you’ll get a confirmation email, and you’ll be logged out of your account automatically.
How to Delete Your Instagram Account on a Computer (PC or Mac)
To delete your Instagram account on a computer, go to the Account Settings, choose Deactivation or Deletion, and follow the steps. Your account will be hidden for 30 days. If you log in during that time, it will be restored. If not, it will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
Here’s how to delete your Instagram account using a web browser:
1. Log in to Instagram on your computer.
2. Click the three-line menu at the bottom left.
3. Choose Settings, then go to Accounts Center.
4. Click on Personal details, then Account ownership and control.
5. Select Deactivation or deletion. Choose the account you want to delete. Click Delete account, then confirm.
How to deactivate your Instagram Account?
If you just want a break from Instagram, you can deactivate your account instead of deleting it. This is temporary, and you can come back anytime by simply logging in again.
How to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account using the mobile app or a computer:
1. Go to Accounts Center in your settings.
2. Tap Personal details, then select Account ownership and control.
3. Choose Deactivation or deletion and pick the account you want to deactivate.
4. Select Deactivate account, then tap Continue and follow the steps.
Your profile will be hidden until you log back in.
Deleting vs. Deactivating Instagram
Deleting your Instagram account means everything — your photos, data, and followers — will be gone forever. You won’t be able to get it back.
Deactivating your account just hides your profile and content for a while. You can come back anytime and everything will be restored.
Deleting is good if you want to leave Instagram for good.
Deactivating is better if you just want a break.
What happens when you delete your Instagram account?
- Your account is permanently deleted 30 days after you request it.
- All your data is erased forever (so save it if you want to keep it).
- Someone else can use your username.
- Scammers can’t target your deleted account.
What happens when you deactivate your Instagram account?
- You can reactivate it anytime by logging back in.
- Your data stays saved on Instagram’s servers.
- Nobody else can use your username.
- Your profile is hidden from other users.
- Your account could still be hacked since it’s still stored online.
Deactivating is less secure because your info is still saved and could be hacked. If you deactivate, use a strong password and turn on two-factor authentication to keep your account safe. You should do this for all your social media accounts if you’re not using them often.
If you want to keep using Instagram but only let your friends and family see your posts, you can make your account private instead.
How to Save and Download Your Instagram Data
Before you delete your Instagram account, you might want to save your photos, comments, and other memories. When you delete your account, all your data is gone forever. Downloading your data also helps you see what kind of information Instagram has collected about you.
Download Instagram Data on Your Phone
- Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture.
- Tap the three-bar menu (top right).
- Go to Accounts Center and select Your information and permissions.
- Tap Download your information, then choose Download or transfer information.
- Pick your Instagram profile and tap Next.
- Choose how much information you want to download.
- Select whether you want to download or transfer the data, then follow the instructions on the screen.
Download Instagram Data on Your Computer
- Go to Instagram on your computer and click the three-line menu.
- Select Settings.
- Click Accounts Center, then choose Your information and permissions.
- Click Download your information and pick Download or transfer information.
- Select the account(s) you want to download and click Next.
- Choose how much information to download.
- Pick whether you want to download or transfer the data, then follow the on-screen steps.
How to Make Your Instagram Account Private?
When your Instagram account is private, only people you approve can see your posts, stories, and profile info. This helps keep your content safe from strangers and gives you control over who follows you.
How to Make Your Instagram Private on Your Phone (Android or iPhone)?
- Tap your profile picture.
- Tap the three-line menu (top right).
- Scroll down and tap Account privacy under Who can see your content.
- Turn on Private account.
- Tap Switch to private to confirm.
How to Make Your Instagram Private on a Computer (PC or Mac)?
- Click the three-line menu.
- Select Settings.
- Under Who can see your content, click Account privacy.
- Turn on Private account.
- Click Switch to private to confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What happens after you delete your Instagram account?
Ans: When you delete your account, all your photos, likes, comments, and info are gone forever. After that, your username can be used by someone else.
Q2. How long does it take for Instagram to delete your account?
Ans: Instagram will permanently delete your account and data 30 days after you ask to delete it.
Q3. Can you get back a deleted Instagram account?
Ans: No, once deleted, you can’t get your account back. But if you log in within 30 days of asking to delete it, you can cancel the deletion.
Q4. Can you recover a disabled Instagram account?
Ans: Yes! Disabled accounts are temporary. You can open your account again anytime by just logging in.
Q5. Can you delete your Instagram searches?
Ans: Yes, you can clear your search history.
- On mobile: Go to Your activity > Recent searches > Clear all > then confirm.
- On a computer: Click the magnifying glass, then click Clear all next to Recent.
Why should you delete Instagram?
People delete Instagram because of privacy worries, to protect their data, or to spend less time on their phones. It can also help improve mental health and reduce distractions.
Instagram is a trademark of Instagram LLC.
If you have any question, please email me at durgtech@gmail.com