If you find that you need a break from Instagram, know that you have the option to either deactivate your account or delete it entirely. The latter choice removes all of your content permanently, so be cautious before taking this step. If you decide to go ahead with deletion, then all of your photos and videos will be gone forever.
Take a break from Instagram by temporarily disabling your account
If you deactivate your Instagram account, your profile will be hidden until you reactive it. This is a great way to take a break from Instagram if that’s what you need. If you only want to mute a few friends instead of fully disabling your account, that’s another option too!
Note: If you want to disable your Instagram account but it is logged in with a Facebook, follow these instructions: First, remove your Facebook from your Instagram. Second, reset the password for your Instagram. If you want to disable your Instagram account temporarily, make sure you have access to the email that is linked to it. After unlinking your Facebook and resetting your password for Instagram, follow these instructions.
If you’re no longer interested in using Instagram, you can deactivate your account with these steps:
Step 1: Visit Instagram.com on any web browser. If you’re not logged in already, enter your username and password to log in.
Step 2: To change your profile photo, click on the icon in the top-right corner, then select Profile.
Step 3: To edit your profile, click the “Edit Profile” button at the top of the page.
Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of this page and click on ‘Temporarily deactivate my account.’
Step 5: Before deactivating your Instagram account, the app will ask you to select a reason from a drop-down menu and enter your password.
Step 6: To finish, click on Temporarily deactivate the account. Afterward, select Yes to affirm your choice.
Your Instagram account is currently disabled. You can re-enable it by logging back in through the website.
Step 7: As long as you have a computer, internet connection, and web browser installed on your device, the steps above can work for you too.
Only iOS users can currently disable their accounts on the Instagram mobile app, but this functionality may become available to other users in the future. If you’re an iOS user, though, you can disable your account by following these steps:
To deactivate your account:
1. Select your profile picture
2. Click on the menu icon (located in the top left corner and represented by three horizontal lines).
3. Click on “Settings”
4, Click on “Account”
5. Delete account>Deactivate account
Follow the on-screen prompts to select “Temporarily deactivate the account.”
Delete your Instagram account permanently
If you are positive that you do not want to return to Instagram, you can permanently delete your account. Please be aware that this will remove everything associated with your profile including photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers–they cannot be retrieved. In addition, if someone else creates an account using the same username in the meantime, you will not have access to it again when (or if) you decide to sign up for Instagram at a later time.
If you are sure that you want to delete your account, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: To delete your Instagram account, follow these steps:
Visit the Instagram Delete Your Account page. If you’re not logged into your Instagram account, make sure to do so now.
Step 2: Delete your username by selecting an option from the drop-down menu next to “Why do you want to delete [your username]?”
Step 3: Please enter your Instagram password to confirm.
Step 4: To delete your username, click here.
The Instagram team will permanently delete your account and all information associated with it after 30 days of receiving your deletion request. However, the process may take up to 90 days in total.
Step 5: If you’re an iOS user, you can delete your account via the Instagram mobile app.
To delete your account, follow these steps: Select your Profile icon > the three horizontal lines Menu icon > Settings > Account > Delete account. Then answer the on-screen prompts.
To delete your username, select Delete [your username] > OK.
