How to Delete Instagram Account Permanently & Temporarily

April 2, 2026 ByNancy WilliamNo Comments 8 minutes

Practically everyone owns an Instagram account nowadays. Some need it to stay in touch with friends and family, many use it for business, while most use it to keep up with trends and fads. Whatever the reason may be, if you need to know how to delete Instagram account, this guide will show you the easiest ways. 

TIP – Instagram is a secure app, but you need to be cautious while using it with free WiFi. Just in case you do use it, ensure that you encrypt your connection using a reliable VPN. This helps avoid cyberattacks via free WiFi networks. 

Things to Do Before You Delete Instagram Account

Before you make a decision to permanently delete your Instagram account, I strongly recommend doing these three things first: 

• Download your data: this is important and your chance to save years of memories, media, numbers, if any, etc. Instagram lets you download everything that is in your possession, including photos, videos, messages, comments, and profile info. To do it, head to “Settings” > “Your Activity” > “Download Your Information.” After that, you can request a copy. Instagram will email you a link when it’s ready, which usually takes up to 14 days, but can arrive much earlier. 
• Check for connected apps: if you’ve used Instagram to sign into other services, for example, Spotify, shopping apps, Facebook, always make sure you know how to access those accounts after Instagram is gone.
• Inform those who are relevant: this is optional, but it does help prevent any fake accounts under your name. It’s always best to inform close friends, family, or clients who communicate with you mainly through Instagram. 

How to Delete Instagram Account Permanently

Instagram is great, but with all honesty, it can get a bit overwhelming at times. Between the constant notifications, the sudden ad pop-ups, and the endless scrolling, it’s completely understandable to want a break.

So, if you’re sure about wanting to delete Instagram account permanently, the guide below will help you get started:

Important: You must use a browser for permanent deletion

Before you begin, it’s important to note that you can’t permanently delete your account through the mobile app. You can only deactivate Instagram via the app. For permanent deletion, you need to use a web browser either on your computer or your phone.

On Desktop (PC)

Here’s how to get started: 

• Open a browser on your PC and go to instagram.com.
• Log in to your Instagram account. 
• Click on “More” (three horizontal lines) that is in the bottom left. 
• Select “Settings.”
• Click on “Accounts Center,” then “Personal details.”
• Select “Account ownership and control.” Now, click on “Deactivation or deletion.”
• Select the account you want to permanently delete. 
• Choose “Delete account,” and then click “Continue.”
• Instagram will now ask you the reason for leaving. 
• Once you select the reason, re-enter your password to confirm.
• Click “Delete” [your username] to complete it.

On Mobile Browser (Phone or Tablet)

You can do this from your phone’s browser. Here’s how: 

• On your smartphone, open the Safari, Chrome, or any browser you prefer, and go to instagram.com. 
• Sign in to your account. 
• Click on your profile picture, select “Settings.”  
• Go to “Accounts Center” > “Personal details” > “Account ownership and control” > “Deactivation or deletion.” 
• Select “Delete account,” and then confirm with your password. That’s it, you’re done.

TIP – just in case you’re having trouble, you can use this direct link instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/ to take you straight to the deletion page. However, ensure that you’re signed into your account while attempting the direct link. 

How to Deactivate Your Instagram Account

You now know how to delete your Instagram account permanently. Just in case you only want to temporarily deactivate your Insta account, here’s how:   

Deactivate Instagram Temporarily Via Mobile App (iOS and Android)

Let’s get started:

• Open the Instagram app and click on your profile picture. You’ll find it in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
• Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the top right corner.
• Select “Settings and privacy” from the menu.
• Tap “Accounts Center.” 
• Tap “Personal details,” then “Account ownership and control.”
• Select “Deactivation or deletion.”
• Choose the Instagram account from the list that you’d like to deactivate. This is if you’ve got more than one account. 
• Select “Deactivate account” > “Continue.” 
• Enter your password whenever prompted, and then tap “Continue” again.
• State your reason for leaving, then confirm by selecting “Deactivate Account.”

Deactivating Instagram Temporarily Via Browser (PC or Mobile)

• Open a browser on your phone or PC and go to instagram.com. Sign in to your account. 
• Click “More,” which is also the three horizontal lines in the bottom left corner.
• Select “Settings,” then click “Accounts Center.”
• Now, under “Account settings,” select “Personal details.” 
• Click “Account ownership and control” > “Deactivation or deletion.”
• Select the account you want to deactivate, and select “Deactivate account” > “Continue.”
• Enter your password, select the reason for deactivation, and tap on “confirm.”

That’s it. Your account is now temporarily deactivated, and you can reactivate anytime by simply signing back in. There’s no time limit on how long you can stay deactivated.

Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Instagram

Just in case you’re confused about the two, here’s a breakdown of what they mean: 

What Happens After You Delete Your Instagram Account?

Now that you’ve deleted your Instagram account, here’s what happens during the period: 

• Days 1-30: During this time period, your account is scheduled for deletion; however, it’s not completely gone. You can still sign in during the first 30 days post-Instagram account deletion. Also, if you do sign in, the deletion request is automatically canceled. Instagram keeps your content during this time, but other users can’t see it.
• After 30 days: Now, once the 30-day window closes, your Insta account and all the data that was on it, connected apps, images, etc., all are permanently deleted from Instagram’s active systems. Ensure you create backups of important data before deleting. 
• The 90-day window: There are a few instances where Instagram takes 90 days to fully remove all your data from their systems. So, there might still be some copies in backup storage for disaster recovery purposes. However, you still won’t be able to access them, so make sure you recover what you need during the 30-day bracket. 

Can’t Delete Instagram Account – Troubleshooting Guide

You’re trying to delete your Instagram account, but keep encountering some issues. Here are a few common issues: 

• You’re trying to delete Instagram via the app: You can’t. It’s mentioned that the app doesn’t have an option for permanently deleting your Instagram account. You need to use a browser instead.
• Accidentally selected “Deactivate” instead of “Delete”: These options mean two entirely different things, and are available side-by-side. These options are right next to each other in the menu, and some users tend to select the wrong option. 
• You’re not able to find the right option: It sometimes happens that you’re looking in the wrong place. You will now find the account deletion option in the “Accounts Center.” You will not find it in the “Edit Profile” section, which used to be the old method.
• Your account has pending verification issues: There are issues when Instagram is still trying to verify your account details. When this happens, the delete option could be restricted until that’s resolved.

FAQs – How to Delete Instagram Account

To Conclude

You now know how to delete Instagram account both permanently and temporarily. However, if you’re still not sure which way to go, let’s weigh the situation. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by social media and need a serious breather, the best option is to deactivate. It’s temporary, and you don’t need to lose all your data there. You can sign in just about any time, as long as you know the password or your account is linked to your email or Facebook. However, during the deactivation period, if you feel like you can completely go without Instagram, you can always erase your account permanently. 

However, before that, just make sure you download your photos first. You can’t undo this one.

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