How to delete your Instagram account

Edited 7 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

InstagramAccount DeletionSocial MediaPrivacySettingsSecurityOnlineWebProfilesManagement

Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. However, there may come a time when you decide you no longer want to have an Instagram account. The process of deleting your Instagram account can be a little complicated if you're not familiar with the steps involved. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of deleting your Instagram account, ensuring you don't miss any important details.

Understanding the difference between deactivation and deletion

Before we proceed with the steps to delete your Instagram account, it is important for you to understand the difference between deactivating and deleting your account.

• Deactivating your account: When you deactivate your Instagram account, your profile, photos, comments, and likes will be hidden. This action is temporary, and you can reactivate your account by logging back in.
• Deleting your account: When you delete your Instagram account, your profile, photos, comments, and likes will be permanently removed. This action is irreversible, and you cannot get your account or its content back once it's deleted.

If you are certain that you want to permanently delete your Instagram account, follow the steps in this guide.

Steps to delete your Instagram account

To delete your Instagram account, you must use a web browser. Unfortunately, you cannot delete your account directly from the Instagram app on your mobile device. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Access the Delete Your Account page on Instagram

First, you need to go to the Instagram Delete Your Account page. You can do this by opening your favorite web browser and going to https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/. If you are not already logged into your Instagram account, you will be asked to log in. Enter your username and password to access your account.

Step 2: Choose the reason for deleting your account

After logging in, you will be redirected to a page asking you why you want to delete your account. Instagram provides a dropdown menu with several options. Choose the reason that best describes why you want to delete your account. Here are the options you may see:

• Worried about your data
• Too busy/too distracting
• Second account created
• Privacy concerns
• Can't find people to follow
• Lots of ads
• Some more

If none of the given options accurately describes your reason, you can choose something else.

Step 3: Re-enter your password

For security reasons, Instagram will ask you to enter your password again. This is to ensure that the person deleting the account is actually the account owner. Enter your password in the field provided.

Step 4: Permanently delete your account

After entering your password, you will see a button that says Delete [your account name]. Click this button to permanently delete your Instagram account. Once you click this button, your account and all content associated with it will be permanently deleted, and you will not be able to retrieve it.

Things to keep in mind before deleting your account

Deleting your Instagram account is an important decision, and there are a few things you should consider before proceeding:

Back up your photos and data

If you have photos or data on your Instagram account that you want to keep, be sure to download them before deleting your account. You can do this by saving each photo separately or by using a third-party tool to download all of your data. Instagram also lets you download your data directly from the Settings menu:

1. Go to your profile and click on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
2. Select Settings from the menu.
3. Click Privacy and Security.
4. Under Data downloads, click Request download.
5. Enter your email address and click Next.
6. Enter your password and click Request Download.

Instagram will send you a link to download your data via email.

Removing notifications and content

Once you delete your account, your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers will be permanently deleted. This means that none of this content will be visible to other users, and you will not be able to retrieve it.

Alternatives to deleting your account

If you’re not completely sure about permanently deleting your Instagram account, you can consider a few options:

Temporarily disable your account

If you want to take a break from Instagram without permanently deleting your account, you can temporarily disable it. This will hide your profile, photos, comments, and likes until you log back in and reactivate your account. Here's how to temporarily disable your account:

1. Log into Instagram on a web browser.
2. Go to your profile by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Click Edit Profile.
4. Scroll down to Temporarily disable my account and click on it.
5. Select the reason for disabling your account from the dropdown menu.
6. Re-enter your password.
7. Click the Temporarily Disable Account button.

Conclusion

Deleting your Instagram account is a permanent action that removes all your data from the platform. It's important to be sure of your decision before following the steps outlined in this guide. If you have any doubts, consider temporarily disabling your account instead. Remember to back up any important photos or data before deleting. By following the steps provided, you can successfully delete your Instagram account if this is what you decide to do.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, you can contact Instagram's Help Center or contact their support team.

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