To delete your Instagram account permanently, open the app and go to Settings → Accounts Center → Personal Details → Account Ownership and Control → Deactivation or Deletion. Select your account, choose “Delete account,” confirm your reason, and enter your password. Your account will be hidden immediately, and after 30 days, it’s gone for good.
Before you hit delete, know the difference between your two options: deletion permanently removes your account, photos, followers, and all data. Deactivation just hides your profile temporarily—log back in anytime to restore everything. If you’re thinking about leaving other platforms too, we’ve covered in our other guides.
This guide walks you through the exact steps for both options on your phone and computer, plus how to download your photos and data before you leave.
Should You Delete or Deactivate?
Delete Your Account If:
- You’re done with Instagram permanently
- You want your data removed from Meta’s servers
- Privacy concerns outweigh keeping the account
- You’ve already saved any photos you want to keep
Deactivate Instead If:
- You might want to come back later
- You want to keep your username reserved
- You’re just taking a social media break
- You haven’t had time to download your data yet
How to Delete Instagram on Your Phone (iPhone or Android)
The deletion process works identically on both iPhone and Android. Follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select Settings and privacy.
- Tap Accounts Center at the top of the settings menu.
- Select Personal details, then tap Account ownership and control.
- Tap Deactivation or deletion, then choose the Instagram account you want to remove.
- Select “Delete account” (not “Deactivate”), tap Continue, pick a reason for leaving, and enter your password to confirm.
Once you confirm, your profile disappears immediately. But Instagram doesn’t actually erase anything for 30 days—if you change your mind, just log back in to cancel the request.
How to Delete Instagram on a Computer
Prefer using a bigger screen? You can remove your account through any web browser on Windows or Mac.
- Go to instagram.com and sign into your account.
- Click “More” in the left sidebar, then select Settings.
- Click Accounts Center, then go to Personal details → Account ownership and control.
- Select Deactivation or deletion, pick your account, and choose Delete account.
- Click Continue, select a reason, enter your password, and confirm.
The browser method follows the same path as the mobile app. Some people find it simpler to manage on a computer, especially when downloading data first. If you need help with , we’ve got you covered.
How to Deactivate Instagram (Take a Break Without Deleting)
Not ready to commit? Deactivation hides your profile, photos, comments, and likes from everyone else—but nothing gets erased. Log back in whenever you want, and everything’s right where you left it.
On Your Phone:
- Open Instagram and go to Settings and privacy → Accounts Center.
- Tap Personal details → Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion.
- Select your account, choose “Deactivate account” instead of delete.
- Pick a reason, enter your password, and confirm.
On Your Computer:
- Go to instagram.com and sign in.
- Click More → Settings → Accounts Center.
- Navigate to Personal details → Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion.
- Select your account, choose Deactivate account, and confirm with your password.
One limit to know: According to AVG’s research, Instagram only allows deactivation once every 7 days. If you deactivate and reactivate frequently, you’ll need to wait before doing it again.
Delete vs. Deactivate: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Delete | Deactivate |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent? | Yes (after 30 days) | No |
| Data removed? | Yes (within 90 days) | No, just hidden |
| Username available to others? | Yes, after deletion | No, it’s reserved |
| Can you undo it? | Only within 30 days | Yes, anytime |
| Followers notified? | No | No |
| How often can you do it? | Once (it’s permanent) | Once per week |
What Happens When You Delete Your Instagram
Hitting delete doesn’t wipe everything instantly. Here’s the timeline:
Immediately: Your profile, photos, and activity become invisible to everyone—including you. You can’t see your own account anymore.
Within 30 days: This is your window to change your mind. Log back in during this period, and your account gets restored like nothing happened.
After 30 days: The deletion becomes permanent. You lose access forever, and Instagram begins removing your data from their servers.
Within 90-180 days: Instagram states it takes up to 90 days to fully purge your information. However, research from the Disaster Recovery Journal found that Meta platforms may retain certain data for up to 180 days for technical or legal reasons.
What Gets Removed:
- Your profile and bio
- All photos, videos, and stories
- Comments and likes you’ve made
- Your follower and following lists
- Your username (becomes available for others to claim)
What Stays:
- Messages you sent—they’ll still appear in other people’s inboxes
- Photos others saved or screenshotted
- Content where you were tagged (unless the poster removes it)
If you’re concerned about , deleting your account is just one step. Your data may have already been shared with advertisers and data brokers through Instagram’s ad network.
How to Download Your Instagram Data Before Deleting
Want to keep your photos and memories? Save everything before you delete. Once your account is gone, there’s no getting it back.
- Open Instagram and go to Settings and privacy → Accounts Center.
- Tap “Your information and permissions”, then select “Download your information”.
- Choose “Download or transfer information”, then select “All available information”.
- Pick your destination—download directly to your device or transfer to a cloud service like Google Drive.
- Select your format and quality:
- HTML — Easy to view in any web browser
- JSON — Better for transferring data to other apps
- Quality: Choose high for best photo/video resolution
Instagram will prepare your download and email you when it’s ready. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours depending on how much content you have.
What’s included: Photos, videos, stories, reels, direct messages, profile information, comments, likes, and your activity history. According to Security.org, Instagram also collects device information, contacts, link history, and data about websites you visit outside the app.
What About Linked Accounts and Apps?
A few things to consider before you proceed:
Facebook connection: Deleting Instagram doesn’t affect your Facebook account. They’re separate, even though both are owned by Meta. Your Facebook stays exactly as it was.
Third-party apps: Any apps you’ve connected to Instagram (scheduling tools, analytics apps, photo editors) will lose access. You’ll need to disconnect them manually or they’ll simply stop working.
Login with Instagram: If you’ve used “Login with Instagram” on other websites or apps, you’ll need to create new accounts or find another way to sign in.
Business or creator accounts: If you run a business profile, make sure you’ve saved any insights or analytics data you need. Consider whether you want to convert to a personal account first, or just proceed with deletion. For tips on managing business tools, check out our .
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete my Instagram account from the app?
Yes. Open the Instagram app, go to Settings → Accounts Center → Personal Details → Account Ownership and Control → Deactivation or Deletion. The full deletion option is available directly in the app on both iPhone and Android.
How long does it take to delete an Instagram account?
Your account becomes invisible immediately, but Instagram waits 30 days before permanent deletion begins. After that, it takes up to 90 days for all your data to be removed from their servers.
Can I get my Instagram account back after deleting it?
Only within the first 30 days. Log back into your account during this window, and your deletion request gets canceled. After 30 days, the account is gone permanently with no way to recover it.
Will my followers know I deleted my account?
No. Instagram doesn’t send any notification. Your profile simply disappears from their follower list and from search results. They might notice you’re gone, but they won’t receive an alert.
Can someone else take my username after I delete?
Yes. Once your account is permanently deleted (after the 30-day period), your username becomes available for anyone to claim. If keeping your username matters, consider deactivation instead.
Can I delete Instagram without my password?
No. You need to enter your password to confirm the deletion. If you’ve forgotten it, use the “Forgot password” option on the login screen to reset it via email or phone number.
What happens to my DMs when I delete Instagram?
Messages you sent will still appear in other people’s inboxes. Deleting your account removes your side of the conversation, but recipients keep their copies. You can’t erase messages from their accounts.
Is deactivating the same as deleting?
No. Deactivation temporarily hides your profile—nothing gets deleted, and you can come back anytime by logging in. Deletion is permanent after 30 days and removes all your data.
Ready to take control of your social media presence? Whether you’re deleting for good or just taking a break, make sure to download your data first. For more privacy tips and guides, check out our other on managing your digital life.
