If you are tired of browsing Instagram or looking to take a break from the platform completely, you might have thought about deleting or deactivating your Instagram account. Thus, we bring you everything on How to deactivate and delete your Instagram account on any device.
When you delete your Instagram account, all the data associated with your Instagram account will be permanently deleted. Thus, all your photos, highlights, stories, reels, etc. will be permanently removed and you cannot access them in the future ever.
On the other hand, if you deactivate your account, all your data is temporarily hidden and your Instagram account is disabled for a limited period. Once you login back into your account, all your information will be restored effectively.
Let’s discuss everything about both features in detail.
How to delete your Instagram on a desktop
If you want to delete your Instagram on a desktop, here’s all you need to do:
- Open your web browser and type “instagram.com” in the URL bar. Press enter to open Instagram’s web page.
- “Login” to your Instagram account.
- Hereafter, go to Instagram Delete Your Account page.
- Now Instagram will ask you the reason for deleting. Select the most appropriate one.
- Next, the page will ask you to re-enter your password. Re-enter your password and tap on “Delete” at the bottom of the screen.
Please note it takes up to 90 days to delete all your data, and your Instagram account is hidden till it has been deleted. Some information may still be visible as backups or copies. If you want to stop the deletion of your account login back within the first 30 days of submitting the delete request.
How to delete Instagram on iOS
iOS devices are the only exception when you can delete your Instagram account from the app. Due to its policy, Instagram does not allow other users to delete their Instagram accounts from the app. However, it had to introduce the option in 2022 to comply with Apple’s App Store guidelines.
Here are the steps to delete Instagram on iOS:
- Download the Instagram application from the App store on your iOS device.
- “Login” to your Instagram account.
- On your homepage, locate your “profile picture” icon in the bottom right corner to open your profile page.
- On your profile page, tap on the “three-lines icon” in the top right corner.
- Next to the options list, choose “Settings” then “Account”.
- Scroll to locate the option “Delete Account” and tap on it.
- Tap “Delete Account” or “Continue Deleting Account” or any other similar option till the account deletion page opens.
- Now once you are on the “Delete Your Account page”, select the most suitable reason for deleting the Instagram account from the menu.
- Next, the page will ask you to re-enter your password. Re-enter your password and tap on “Delete” at the bottom of the screen.
The deletion will take up to 90 days to complete and you can stop the deletion process by logging in to your Instagram account within 30 days.
If your Instagram account has been deleted, you can use the same username to create another one. However, if Instagram has deleted your Instagram account for violating any of its policies, then you might not be able to use the same Instagram username.
How to delete Instagram on Android
If you are an android Instagram user, you cannot use the Instagram app to delete your Instagram account. You will have to use the web browser. Here are all the steps:
- Open the web browser on your Android device and type “instagram.com” in the URL bar. Press enter to open Instagram’s web page.
- Next, “Login” to your Instagram account.
- Hereafter, go to Instagram Delete Your Account page.
- Now Instagram will ask you the reason for deleting. Select the most appropriate one.
- Next, the page will ask you to re-enter your password. Re-enter your password and tap on “Delete” at the bottom of the screen.
How to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily
If Instagram is getting on your nerves and you need a break from the platform together, you can disable it for a few days. With its deactivate feature, your Instagram account will be hidden from all users for a few days until you log in.
If you are using the Instagram web on a laptop or desktop, here’s how you can deactivate your account:
- Open your web browser and type “instagram.com” in the URL bar. Press enter to open Instagram’s web page.
- “Login” to your Instagram account.
- On the homepage, locate your “Profile Picture” to open your profile page.
- On your profile page, choose the option “Edit profile”.
- Scroll to see the option “Temporarily Disable/ Deactivate my account” at the bottom of the screen.
- Next, Instagram will ask you the reason to delete the Instagram account. Select the most appropriate one.
- Next, the page will ask you to re-enter your password. Re-enter your password and tap on “Temporarily Deactivate Account” at the bottom of the screen.
If you are using the Instagram web on an Android or iOS app, the procedure is similar to the one mentioned above for a laptop or desktop. You will have to use the web browser to deactivate your Instagram account.
Here are the steps for the same-
Open the web browser of your mobile>Go to “instagram.com”> “Login” to your Instagram account> Locate your “Profile Picture” and tap on it>On your profile page, choose the option “Edit Profile” >“Temporarily Disable/ Deactivate my account”>Enter the reason to delete the account> Re-enter your password>Tap on “Temporarily Deactivate Account” and hence, your account is temporarily deactivated.
To use your Instagram account again, just login back into your Instagram account to activate it.
Concluding remarks
You could want to delete or deactivate your Instagram account for many reasons. Instagram might be affecting your privacy or not suitable for your interests. It might even hamper your mental health or make you a target of cyber harassment.
Whatever the case, thankfully, Instagram allows its users to take a step back whenever they want. We have listed the steps in detail for you.
So, this guide will be helpful next time you feel like you need to delete or deactivate your Instagram account.
