Instagram gives you two ways to stop using the platform, and they work very differently
You can either deactivate your account temporarily or delete it permanently. Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and comments for up to 30 days — if you log back in during that window, everything returns. Deletion is permanent: after 30 days, Instagram removes your account, photos, videos, comments, and likes from their servers. You cannot undo a deletion after those 30 days pass.
Most people should deactivate first if they are unsure. It gives you a month to change your mind without losing anything. If you are certain you want to leave Instagram entirely, deletion is the right choice — but understand that you cannot recover your photos or data afterward.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for up to 30 days and is reversible if you log back in; deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone.
- You must deactivate or delete from a web browser or the Instagram app on your phone — you cannot do it from a computer's web version alone.
- Instagram will ask you why you are leaving and may offer options to pause notifications or mute accounts instead of deactivating.
- If your account was hacked or you no longer have access to the email or phone number linked to it, you will need to contact Instagram support to regain control first.
How to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily
Open Instagram on your phone or go to instagram.com on a web browser and log in. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner (on the app) or click the menu icon in the top right (on the web). Select Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Deactivation or deletion.
Choose Deactivate account. Instagram will ask you to select a reason from a list — common options include "I do not use this app", "I am concerned about my privacy", or "I do not feel comfortable with how my data is used". You do not have to pick the reason that fits perfectly; any option will work. Instagram may then suggest alternatives like muting notifications or unfollowing accounts. You can skip these and continue to deactivation.
Enter your password to confirm. Your account will be hidden immediately. Your profile will not appear in searches, your posts will not show on other people's feeds, and your username becomes available for someone else to use. If you log back in at any point during the next 30 days, your account reactivates completely.
How to permanently delete your Instagram account
Go to instagram.com/accounts/remove/delete-account/ on a web browser while logged in, or open the Instagram app, go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Deactivation or deletion, and choose Delete account. Instagram will explain that deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Select a reason for leaving from the dropdown menu. Enter your password to confirm. Your account, profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers list will all be removed. This process takes up to 90 days to complete across Instagram's servers, but you will lose access to your account immediately. After 30 days, the deletion becomes irreversible.
Before you delete, consider downloading your photos and data. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Download your information. Instagram will email you a file with copies of your posts, stories, messages, and profile details. This download can take a few days to prepare.
What happens to your data, messages, and tagged photos
When you deactivate, your messages stay on Instagram's servers but are not visible to other people. If someone sends you a message while your account is deactivated, you will not see it until you reactivate. When you delete, your direct messages are removed from your inbox, but messages you sent to others may remain in their inboxes — Instagram does not delete messages from the recipient's side.
Photos and videos other people tagged you in will remain on their accounts after you deactivate or delete. Your name will no longer appear in the tag, but the photo itself stays. If you want those photos removed, you will need to ask the person who posted them to untag you or delete the post.
Comments you left on other people's posts will be deleted when you delete your account, but they may take time to disappear from the platform. Likes you gave will also be removed.
If you cannot access your account or forgot your password
You will need to regain access before you can deactivate or delete. Go to instagram.com and click Forgot password? below the login box. Enter the email address or phone number linked to your account. Instagram will send you a link to reset your password — check your email or text messages.
If you no longer have access to that email or phone number, click Need more help? on the password reset page. Instagram will ask you to verify your identity by uploading a photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with a code they provide. This process can take several days. Once your identity is verified, you can reset your password and then proceed with deactivation or deletion.
If your account was hacked and you believe someone else is using it, go to instagram.com/hacked and follow the steps to report it. Instagram will help you regain control before you can delete the account.
Deactivation versus deletion: which should you choose
Choose deactivation if you want to step back from Instagram but might return later, if you are not completely sure you want to leave, or if you want to preserve your photos and data on Instagram's servers. Deactivation is also useful if you want to take a break without losing your followers or having your username taken by someone else.
Choose deletion if you want to remove yourself from Instagram completely, if you are concerned about your data being stored on Meta's servers, or if you do not plan to return. Deletion is final — after 30 days, there is no way to recover your account or any of your content.
If you are leaving because of privacy concerns, keep in mind that deleting your Instagram account does not remove data Meta already collected about you. Meta retains some information for legal and business purposes even after deletion. If you want to limit what Meta knows about you across all its platforms, you can adjust your privacy settings in your Meta account center.
What to do before you deactivate or delete
Download your information first. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Download your information. This creates a file with your posts, stories, messages, profile details, and activity log. Instagram will email it to you within a few days.
Take screenshots of any important messages, photos, or information you want to keep. While the download file includes most of your data, it is easier to have screenshots of specific conversations or posts you care about.
Let people know you are leaving. If you have followers who contact you through Instagram, consider posting a final story or post with another way to reach you — your email, phone number, or another social media account.
Check if you use Instagram to log into other apps or websites. Some apps let you sign in with your Instagram account instead of creating a separate password. Before you delete, change those apps to use a different login method so you do not lose access to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?
No. After 30 days, deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed. During the first 30 days, you can contact Instagram support to request restoration, but this is not may provide. After 30 days, your account and all its data are gone.
Will deleting Instagram delete my Facebook account too?
No. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts, even though Meta owns both. Deleting one does not affect the other. However, if you linked your accounts to share posts between them, that link will be removed.
What if I deactivate but someone else takes my username?
During deactivation, your username becomes available for others to use. If someone claims it, you cannot get it back when you reactivate. To keep your username, you can change it to something else before deactivating, or you can reactivate within 30 days before someone else takes it.
Does Instagram delete my account if I do not use it for a long time?
No. Instagram does not automatically delete inactive accounts. Your account will remain active indefinitely unless you manually deactivate or delete it, even if you have not logged in for years.
Can I delete my Instagram account from a computer?
You can start the deletion process on a computer by going to instagram.com/accounts/remove/delete-account/ while logged in. However, some users report that the mobile app or phone browser works more reliably. If the web version does not work, try the Instagram app on your phone instead.