Delete or Deactivate Your Instagram Account
Need a break, or ready to leave for good? Instagram gives you two options, and they're very different. Decide which you want, save your photos, then follow the steps for the app or the website.
VSDeactivate or delete?
Deactivate (a break)
- Your profile, photos, comments and likes are hidden.
- Nothing is deleted. Log back in any time to bring it all back.
- No time limit, but you can only deactivate once a week.
Delete (for good)
- Your account is hidden for 30 days, then permanently deleted.
- Photos, videos, followers and messages are gone. Instagram can't restore them.
- Logging in within the 30 days cancels the deletion.
- Might you want this account back someday, with the same followers and posts?
- Is the main goal a break from scrolling, rather than removing your data?
- Do you use a Threads profile linked to this Instagram account?
Answer the questions to see a suggestion.
PREPBefore you go: your checklist
HOWStep by step
Everything lives in Meta's Accounts Center, which looks the same on iPhone, Android and the web.
- In the app: go to your profile, tap the menu ☰ in the top-right corner, then Accounts Center.
On the web: go to instagram.com, click More (☰) at the bottom left, then Settings and Accounts Center. - Choose Your information and permissions › Export your information (older versions say Download your information).
- Tap Create export, pick your Instagram profile, and choose Export to device.
- Choose what to include (all of it is safest), the date range (All time), and a format. HTML is easy to browse; JSON is better for moving to another service. Pick High media quality.
- Meta emails you when it's ready. Download it promptly, and open it to check your photos are there.
- Threads: Threads profiles are managed through Instagram, so deleting Instagram deletes your Threads profile too. Download your Threads data as well if you want it.
- Subscriptions: deleting your account doesn't cancel App Store or Google Play billing. Cancel Meta Verified or other subscriptions there first.
- Business or creator account: remove the Instagram account from any ad accounts or tools, and let partners know.
- Friends: share another way to keep in touch, like your phone number or email.
- Open Accounts Center (as in step 1).
- Find Deactivation or deletion. Depending on your version, it's under Personal details › Account ownership and control, or under Accounts › Manage next to your Instagram profile.
- Select your Instagram profile, choose Deactivate account, then Continue.
- Enter your password, pick a reason, and confirm.
To come back, just log in with your username and password. If it doesn't work straight away, wait a day; deactivation can take a few hours to finish.
- Open Accounts Center and go to Deactivation or deletion (same place as step 3).
- Select your Instagram profile and choose Delete account, then Continue.
- Pick a reason, enter your password, and confirm.
- Instagram shows the date your account will be permanently deleted. Write it down.
- Your account is hidden right away. Don't log in during this time, including from another phone or app that's still signed in. Logging in cancels the deletion.
- Changed your mind? Log in before the deletion date and choose to keep your account.
- After 30 days the account is deleted. Instagram says it can take up to 90 days from the start for all your content to be removed from its systems.
- Forgot your password? Use Forgot password? on the login screen to get a reset link by email or text.
- Think your account was hacked? Go to instagram.com/hacked to recover it first, then delete it.
FAQCommon questions
Does deleting the app delete my account?
No. Removing the app from your phone does nothing to your account. You have to deactivate or delete it in Accounts Center.
Can I get my account back after deleting it?
Only within 30 days, by logging back in. After that it's gone permanently, along with your posts and followers.
Will deleting Instagram delete my Facebook account?
No. Facebook and Instagram are separate accounts, even when they're linked in Accounts Center. You choose which profile to delete.
What do people see while I'm deactivated?
Your profile, posts, comments and likes are hidden. People searching for you won't find you until you log back in.
Why can't I deactivate again?
Instagram only lets you deactivate once a week. If you just reactivated, wait seven days and try again.
Does Instagram keep any of my data after deletion?
Instagram says it can take up to 90 days from the start of deletion to remove everything. Like most services, some copies can remain in backups for a while, and messages you sent may stay in other people's chats.