Whether you want to take a break from using Instagram or leave it forever to overcome your addiction, this blog has compiled everything you need to know about How to Delete an Instagram Account or simply deactivate it for a while.
To Delete An Instagram Account, go to your profile, tap on the menu icon, then go to Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation.
Before jumping into the detailed steps, you must know what data Instagram gathers from users and what the consequences and alternatives are. Let’s read on!
Understanding the Consequences of Deleting Your Account
Before you click the delete button and remove your IG account, let’s take a moment to understand the consequences. Removing your IG account isn’t like simply closing a book and reopening it later. It’s a permanent process, and years of memories can be wiped away with just one click. Let’s go through the points below and see what you’ll lose:
- All your posted pictures, videos, and Reels will be removed.
- Your followers, and those you followed, will be disconnected forever.
- That unique username, which represents your social identity, will be claimed by someone else once you remove your account.
- Your data will mostly be erased, though Instagram might hold onto some bits for a while (more on that later).
- Your account will be permanently deleted after 30 days.
After reading through the above points, it may seem intense but don’t worry. There’s a temporary option available that lets you keep your assets without losing them, as covered in the next heading.
How Do You Deactivate Your Instagram Account?
If you are thinking of taking a rest from IG and want to know how do I close my Instagram account then let’s clear it now!
Taking out your Instagram account temporarily is quite beneficial than Removing it permanently. It allows you to take a quick break reduce distractions, and also address potential mental health issues related to social media. Additionally, it helps you keep your account and personal information safe for easy reactivation later.
If look to temporarily deactivate your Instagram, you can follow these steps to guide you in deactivating your Instagram account:
Step 1: Access Account Settings
Click the Profile > Menu > Settings and Privacy > **Accounts Center.
Step 2: Choose Deactivation Option
Hit Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation.
Step 3: Select Account to Deactivate
You have to choose the account which you want to deactivate. Then, select Deactivate Account > Continue.
Step 4: Confirm Deactivation
After following the above steps, you can re-enter your password, choose the reason for deactivating your account, and then follow the Continue option. Your account will now be deactivated.
How to Delete an Instagram Account? A Step-Wise Method
If searching for how do I delete an Instagram account? here you go! After temporarily deactivating your account doesn’t help, and you finally decide to delete it permanently, you will need to follow certain procedures. It is just a five-finger exercise to perform. After deleting it, you have only 30 days to restore your account and recover your data. After this period, it cannot be restored.
Pro Tips: Before removing your IG account permanently, make sure to take a backup. It will help you restore your data easily if your account is deleted. Also, it allows you to preserve your memories.
If you go and delete your Instagram account permanently then these steps will guide you on how to delete your account from Instagram.
Steps to Delete Your Instagram Account Permanently:
- Log into your account.
- Go to the page and click on “Delete Your Account.”
- From the drop-down menu below, select a reason for deleting your account and enter your account password again.
- Click “Delete.” Your account will be automatically deleted.
Request Permanent Deletion of Your Instagram Account From Your Computer
1. Log into your Instagram account.
2. Go to More > Settings > Accounts Center.
3. Click Personal details > Account ownership and control.
4. Click Deactivation or Deletion.
5. Select your account, then click the button next to Delete account > Continue.
6. Enter your password, choose a reason for leaving, then click Continue > Delete account.
Request Permanent Deletion of Your Instagram Account From Your Phone.
1. Go to the settings
2. Go to the Accounts Centre then go to ‘Personal Details’.
3. Select the option ‘Account Ownership and Control’ then choose either option Deactivation
4. Choose the account you want to permanently delete.
5. Click on the option ‘Delete Account, then click on ‘Continue’
Insider Secrets: Most users want to connect with Instagram’s help center and ask them to delete their account on their behalf. This is not possible due to privacy and security reasons. If you wish to proceed, you must perform the procedure by logging in with your credentials.
How to Back Up Your Data Before Deleting Your Account
These are some steps to create a backup before deleting your account so that you can save it. Here is how you can create a copy of your data on Instagram:
- Go to the three horizontal lines in the bottom left corner, then select the option Your Activity.
- Click on Download Your Information.
- Enter your email address to receive a copy of your data.
- Choose the format, and then click Next.
- Enter your password, then click on Request Download.
- Once requested, you will receive an email titled Your Instagram Data with an attached link. This link will contain your Instagram data, which you can download at any time.
Create a Backup Using an iOS or Android Device.
For an iOS or Android device, the following are the steps to create a backup:
- Go to your profile and tap on your profile picture.
- Tap the three horizontal lines.
- Go to the Your Activity option.
- Click on the option Information You Have Shared With Instagram.
- Tap the option to Download.
- Enter your password, then click on the option Request Download.
- Once requested, you will receive an email with the title Your Instagram Data and a link attached.
What Happens After You Delete Your Account
After you have separate with your IG account, your content on Instagram will be removed, including your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers. All of this will be permanently deleted or removed automatically from your side and detach from Instagram within 30 days.
If you disconnect your account permanently, then after that, you can’t sign up again using the same username that you used with your account. However, you can use your previous username with a newly created account as long as it hasn’t been taken by any other user.
Instagram accepts 30 days of account deletion requests when you click the delete button. After this duration, all the information will be completely take off from your account, and you can’t retrieve it. However, for those 30 days, your content remains subject to Instagram’s Terms of Use and its Privacy Policy, and it can’t be accessed by other people using Instagram.
Helpful Info: The prescribed number of days for canceling an IG account deletion varies by region. Hence, you can check IG’s official privacy before deleting your account.
Alternatives to Deleting Your Instagram Account
If you’re not sure about completely removing your Instagram account and are looking for alternatives, so you can use it less without deleting it, here are some options:
- Mute or Restrict: Quiet down stranger accounts without drama.
- Time Limits: Set a daily cap in the “Your Activity” section and keep it under control.
- Go Private: You can set your Instagram to private, which will help you avoid unwanted notifications, giving you full control over your account.
- Delete the App: If the above steps don’t help, you can uninstall the app for a while — no commitment is required.
These are proven ways to enjoy using Instagram on your terms without losing everything.
Can You Recover a Deleted Instagram Account
If you want to recover a deleted Instagram account, but only within 30 days after the request. After 30 days, the account and all its information are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered again. Here are some steps to recover the account:-
- First log in to Instagram
- Put your email or phone number
- Enter your password
- And recover the account
Tip: This will only work if you recover your account within 30 days before it gets deleted.
Conclusion
To save time spent on social media platforms like Instagram, many people have decided to delete their accounts and search for How to Delete an Instagram Account by following an easy process. If you are one of them, the guides and steps featured in this blog will help you complete this task effortlessly. Additionally, don’t forget to read about the consequences, backup process, alternatives, and more in this blog.
FAQs
How Do I delete my Instagram account permanently?
To identify how to delete my account from Instagram, follow these steps:
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the menu icon.
- Select Settings.
- Go to the Accounts Center.
- Select Personal Details.
- Tap Account Ownership and Control.
- Select Deactivation.
- Choose your account and delete it.
Why Can’t I Delete My Instagram Account?
If you can’t delete your Instagram account, there could be several possibilities. One reason could be that you are not logged into your account and followed the deletion process correctly. Another reason could be that you are trying to have someone else delete it for you. In such cases, Instagram requires the account holder and security OTPs, according to Instagram’s terms and policies.
How to deactivate my Instagram on my phone?
To temporarily deactivate your IG account from your mobile phone, you have to head to your profile, click the menu, then go to Accounts Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership and Control, and finally select Deactivation to choose to temporarily deactivate your account.
Why can’t we deactivate my Instagram account?
You might be having issues deactivating your Instagram account because you have a creator profile that requires a deactivation process.