Deactivate or delete?
| Deactivate | Delete | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Profile, posts, comments and likes are hidden | Account and content are removed permanently |
| Reversible? | Yes, just log back in | Only within 30 days |
| Your username | Kept | Released for anyone to take |
| Good for | A break | Leaving for good |
If you are not sure, deactivate first. It is easy to undo, and you can delete later. Instagram limits how often you can deactivate, typically to once a week.
Before you delete: download your data
Deleting removes your photos, videos, stories archive and messages. Download a copy first:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile.
- Tap the menu (three lines) > Accounts Center > Your information and permissions > Download your information.
- Choose the account, then all information or specific types (such as media and messages).
- Pick a date range, format (HTML is easiest to browse, JSON for importing elsewhere) and media quality.
- Submit the request.
Instagram emails you a link when the file is ready, which can take from a few hours to a few days. The link expires after a few days, so download it promptly.
How to deactivate Instagram
In the app
- Go to your profile and tap the menu (three lines).
- Tap Accounts Center.
- Tap Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose the Instagram account.
- Select Deactivate account and tap Continue.
- Enter your password, pick a reason and confirm.
On the web
Log in at instagram.com, click More > Settings > Accounts Center, and follow the same steps.
To reactivate, simply log back in.
How to delete Instagram permanently
- Go to your profile > menu > Accounts Center.
- Tap Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose the account.
- Select Delete account > Continue.
- Choose a reason, enter your password and confirm.
Meta's menu wording changes from time to time. If the path above does not match, search "delete" in the app's settings search bar.
The 30-day window
Your account is hidden immediately but not deleted for 30 days. If you log back in during that time, Instagram asks whether you want to keep it, which cancels the deletion. After 30 days, the account is gone. Meta says it may take up to 90 days to remove all data from its systems and backups.
What happens to linked accounts
- Facebook: deleting Instagram does not delete Facebook. If you used Instagram to log in to other services, set up another login for those first.
- Threads: Threads profiles are linked to Instagram. Check what happens to your Threads profile before deleting Instagram, and download Threads data too if you want it.
- Business tools: if the account runs shops or adverts, disconnect them first.
Cleaning up without deleting
If the problem is privacy or time, not the account itself, consider:
- Making your account private.
- Archiving old posts rather than deleting them.
- Using Your activity to set daily limits, or turning off notifications.
- Removing third-party apps connected to your account.
Our guides to online privacy and to taking a digital detox have more ideas.
Locked out or hacked?
If you cannot log in to delete the account because someone has taken it over, see our guide to recovering a hacked social media account first.
Key takeaways
- Deactivating is reversible; deleting is permanent after 30 days.
- Use Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion.
- Download your information first, and save it before the link expires.
- Check Threads and any logins that rely on Instagram before you delete.