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Let’s look at what you should know before deleting your Instagram account now, so you don’t have to regret it later.
If you feel it’s time to take a break from Instagram, one of the largest social networks, you have two choices: delete or deactivate your account. There is a big difference between the two.
Suspending your Instagram account hides your comments, likes, all your photos, videos, followers count, and other details. Once you temporarily disable the account, no one will be able to see your profile, but you can still access your private messages, for example. Deactivation is easily reversible, and you can pick up where you left off at any time by logging into Instagram via the app or website.
Once you delete your account, Instagram will permanently delete all your profile content, including the photos, reels, mentions, comments, likes, and followers list. If you want to access your profile data in the future, we recommend you download a backup copy before deleting your account.
Once you press the delete button, your Instagram account is no longer publicly available.
However, you have 30 days to change your mind. If you decide to return to Instagram, log back in with your username and password, and you will regain access to your profile.
After 30 days following the deletion request, Instagram permanently deletes all of your data – you will not be able to use or restore the account. This is why we suggest you save your photos, videos, archived posts, DM exchanges, and other relevant information from Instagram before deleting your account.
Instagram allows you to manage your data and download it if you decide to delete your account. Backup your photos, posted stories, reels, archived posts, and other data in case you need it in the future. Remember – once you delete your Instagram account, Instagram’s Data Download tool will not be accessible anymore.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on downloading your Instagram data on the Instagram app and website.
For the app
”For the website
Once you request the information, it might take up to 14 days for Instagram to email you the download link.
Follow these steps to delete your Instagram account. The account deletion process is different on an iPhone, Android, or the website.
Follow the steps below to delete your Instagram account on your iPhone device.
”Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow you to delete your account on its Android and website versions. To delete your Instagram account, you need to access the Instagram account deletion page on your mobile web browser or computer. Follow these steps:
You may be wondering where to find that Instagram deletion page mentioned above. Here are the instructions:
Remember – you can only access the Instagram help center via the website, so open Instagram on any web browser to find the deletion page.
If you want to take a break from Instagram, you don’t have to permanently delete your account. Suspend your profile and come back whenever you feel like it. Follow the steps below to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily.
To delete your Instagram account, you must be logged in to your account. If you forgot your login credentials, you can recover your account in a few different ways:
Once done, head to the Instagram account deletion page and delete your account.Once you have restored your account, follow the deletion or deactivation instructions provided above.
With over a billion users worldwide, Instagram is one of the leading social networks we use to communicate and share experiences, tips, photos, and reels. But that doesn’t mean Instagram is safe for our well-being and cybersecurity.
Below are the reasons why users decide to leave Instagram.
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How to delete an Instagram account on iOS
How to delete an Instagram account on Android
How to delete an Instagram account on your computer
When should you delete your Instagram account?
Decided Instagram isn’t the best fit for your business? No sweat. Unlike real life, there’s an undo button: you can delete your Instagram account permanently.
Before you delete, consider backing up your account data in case you need it. Be aware the data will be a computer-readable HTML or JSON format, not individual profile photos, videos, comments, etc.
Ready? Here’s how to delete your Instagram account in the app, from a computer, or via mobile web browser.
Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.
Step 1: Go to your account in the Instagram app. Then, tap the menu icon (3 lines) in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 2: Navigate to Settings, then Account.
Step 3: Tap Delete account.
Instagram will suggest deactivating instead of deleting. Deactivation hides your account and is reversible anytime.
If you still want to permanently delete the Instagram account, go ahead and tap Delete account.
Step 3: Confirm deletion.
Instagram will ask you AGAIN… You’re sure about this, right?
Step 4: Confirm… again.
Instagram draws out the process, which you could argue is either annoying, or a good thing to prevent accidental deletions and angry users.
Instagram asks why you want to delete it. Your answer is mandatory and so is entering your password. Clicking the Delete @username button on this page will permanently delete your account.
Your account won’t be visible on Instagram anymore but you have 30 days to reverse your decision and reactivate it. After that it’s real-real gone.
For whatever odd reason, the native Instagram app on Android currently doesn’t allow you to delete an account like it does in the iPhone version.
It’s weird, but no sweat, just open up a browser and follow the directions below.
If you don’t have access to the app on your current phone or you’re an Android user, you can also delete your Instagram account from any web browser.
The steps below also work for mobile browsers (e.g. Safari or Chrome on your phone).
Step 1: Go to www.instagram.com and sign into your account
Step 2: Visit the Delete Account page.
Step 3: Confirm deletion.
Ensure the username matches the account you want to delete. If not, click Log out on the right side of the screen to go back to Instagram and sign in to the correct account.
Fill out the reason for deleting your Instagram account and enter your password. Tapping Delete @username at the bottom will permanently delete your account.
If you have any doubts at all about deleting your profile, you should temporarily deactivate your Instagram account instead.
Deactivated accounts are easily recovered, whereas deleted ones are permanently removed from the platform (after the 30 day grace period).
For most people, I’d recommend deactivation, even if you leave it that way for months or years. It accomplishes the same thing (no one can find or see your account) but without the risk of regret.
Another option is to switch to a private account. Private accounts still show up in search results but their posts don’t, nor are they publicly viewable on your profile. People can request to follow you, but you don’t have to approve them. Current followers will still be able to see your posts and content, though.
To change to a private account, go to Settings in the app, then Privacy and tap the slider next to Private account to the on position.
There are a few specific scenarios where deleting your Instagram account makes sense. (Although you could still choose to temporarily disable your account for these, too.
)
Is Instagram helping you achieve your business goals? You set business goals for your Instagram account, right? And you measure them regularly, right?
Instagram may not be the best fit for you, but if you’re unsure, it’s worth it to revise your Instagram marketing strategy first. Give it a fair shot to provide a positive ROI for you.
Use our free social media audit template to track progress and evaluate the results. If you still don’t see results from Instagram for several quarters, it’s probably worth focusing more on other platforms.
You can have the most bangin’ Reels, the best carousels, and the most interesting Stories, but if your target peeps aren’t seeing it? Oof, that’s a lot of wasted effort for very little reward.
Social media platforms are only as effective as your marketing strategy. Is your target customer 70+ years old? Certainly some will be on Instagram, but it’s probably not where you should spend the bulk of your time or budget.
Not sure if Instagram is a good fit for your audience? Check out the Social Trends 2022 report for the latest demographics for all platforms and the stats you need for an informed strategy.
Whoops, discovered that second account last year’s intern opened by mistake? Go ahead and delete it (unless it has, like, a bajillion followers).
Duplicate or erroneous accounts can confuse your audience, especially if your main profile doesn’t have a blue check mark beside it to show its authenticity. People may end up following the wrong account. Eliminate confusion by deleting any unused profiles.
Gotcha! This is a trick reason. Overwhelm is real but it’s not a reason to delete your account.
Instead, save time, get organized, and get your Instagram marketing in gear with Hootsuite. Schedule and publish your content—yep, Reels, too!— in advance, manage DMs from all your platforms from one inbox, and collaborate and approve draft content with your team.
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Check out how Hootsuite takes the overwhelm out of managing your Instagram (and all your other platforms).
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If you delete your account, your profile, all photos, videos, comments, likes and followers will also be permanently deleted. If you just want to take a break, you can temporarily deactivate your account.
For security reasons, we cannot delete your account for you. To submit an account deletion request, sign in to your account. If you've forgotten your password or username, see Tips for signing in to your account.
Before deleting your Instagram account, sign in and download a copy of your information, such as photos and posts. If you delete your account, you will no longer be able to access the Download Data tool on Instagram.
How do I submit a permanent account deletion request using the Instagram app?
Go to the Delete Account page. If you haven't logged into Instagram on your computer yet, do so.
Select an option from the drop-down menu under Why do you want to delete [account name]'s profile? and re-enter your password.
You will only be able to permanently delete your account after you select a reason and enter your password.
Click Delete account [username].
To delete another account:
Click on the username in the upper right corner of the Delete Account page.
Click the icon next to Edit Profile and select Sign out.
Sign in to the account you want to delete and follow the instructions above.
How do I permanently delete an account using the Account Center?
Click the icon at the top of the screen.
Click Account Center and then Personal Information.
Click Account Management and then Deactivate or Delete.
Select the required account.
Click Delete Account and then Continue.
Note. Deactivating your account in the Account Center may not be available to you.
By deleting your account, you will be able to sign up again with the same username or use it on a different account, as long as the other person on Instagram doesn't do so first.
Note. If your account has been terminated for violating the Community Guidelines, you will not be able to register again with the same username.
30 days after the request is submitted, the account and all associated information will be permanently deleted. You will not be able to recover this information. During this period, they will be subject to the Instagram Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Instagram users will not see this content.
It may take up to 90 days for your content to be removed from the time you start the removal process. After this period, a copy of your content may be stored in backup storage that we use to recover data lost in the event of a natural disaster, software error, etc. We may also retain your information for legal purposes, in the event of a violation of terms of use, or for purposes intended to prevent harm. Detailed information about this is available in the Privacy Policy.
by You can delete an account on Instagram in different ways: through a browser on a computer or smartphone, as well as through a mobile application - both temporarily or permanently. In this article, we will consider all cases in detail.
Before deleting an account, Instagram will prompt you to download data from it. After deletion, this will not be possible.
Here is how to send a request to download a copy of data in a browser from a PC:
After that, a link will be sent to your email, following which you can download all your photos, videos, comments and other information from the profile. Instagram warns that you will have to wait up to 14 days for the letter, but usually sends the coveted link within a few hours.
The same can be done in a browser from a mobile device. To do this, click the profile icon in the lower right corner of the screen, then open Settings in the upper left corner. Further, the algorithm is the same as when sending a request from the desktop.
You can also get a link to save a copy of your data in the Instagram app for Android and iOS.
How to permanently delete an Instagram account
This is a radical option for those who are "one hundred percent" sure that the account will no longer be needed. In this case, your profile, all photos, videos, comments, likes and followers will be irretrievably lost.
In short, : you just need to log in to Instagram from a computer or smartphone and follow this link. Here you only need to indicate why you want to delete the profile and enter a password to confirm the action. And now in detail about how to delete Instagram from different devices.
Your profile and account data will be deleted after 30 days. During this time, your account will not be shown on Instagram, and you will be able to restore it.
Deleting an account in the web version from a smartphone
A similar sequence of actions must be taken to delete Instagram through a browser on a smartphone.
Delete account via mobile application
Unable to delete Instagram through the app. The social network will still ask you to go to the site in a mobile or web browser.
If you want to see for yourself: in the application, click on the profile photo at the bottom right → go to the burger menu at the top right → Settings → Help → Help Center → burger menu → Account management → Delete account → Delete Instagram account → read instructions To send request for permanent deletion of account .
Well, then choose any of the two instructions above.
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For those who just want to take a break and rest from the popularity of the social network, there is an opportunity to temporarily freeze their account. Instagram really does not want to part with you and will (un)obtrusively remind you of this option all the way.
If you temporarily deactivate your account, your profile, photos, comments and likes will be hidden until you log in again and thereby activate it.
An Instagram account can only be deactivated on desktop, mobile, or through the iPhone app. You can only do this once a week.
On a computer browser
In a browser on a smartphone
Mobile app
iPhone users can temporarily delete their Instagram account in the app. To do this:
How to delete a blocked account on Instagram
All instructions above, by default, assume that you know the login and password from your account and are logged into it. Unfortunately, deleting an Instagram account if it is blocked will not work. Before you enter it, you have to unlock it - that's the way.
There are three ways to do this.
First - without an identity document. Fill out the form at the link by selecting "No" in response to the question "Is this account used to represent a company?".
Second - with an identity document. Attach one snapshot of a government-issued document or two snapshots of non-state-issued documents to this form.
Third - in case your account was blocked by mistake. Fill out the form, saying what you think about Instagram, in the "Tell us why you want to appeal the decision to permanently deactivate this account" section.
After sending the questionnaire that suits you, further instructions will be sent to the e-mail indicated in it. Usually this is a digital code that you need to write by hand on a blank sheet of paper, take a picture with it and send it back to technical support. If the email did not arrive, submit the form again with a different email address.
How to delete someone else's instagram account
Forewarned means forearmed. We warn you - Instagram has the ability to delete another user's account, and theoretically it can be used against you.
The following methods work if the user does not have two-factor authentication enabled.
1. Brute force. This is a way to hack another user by brute force. Studies show that most people do not know how to be creative and responsible, so from year to year the most popular passwords remain "123456" and "qwerty". To protect yourself from this method, come up with a complex password for yourself from numbers, letters and symbols.
2. Phishing. If you sort it out yourself - laziness, scammers can try to force their victim to give out a username and password of their own free will. An email is sent to the person on behalf of the Instagram administrator. It says that the account has a security problem, and therefore the user urgently needs to follow the link and change the password. The link leads to a fake site, visually completely identical to the social network, and even an experienced user can fall for the bait. The rule here is this: do not follow unfamiliar links, even from the “Instagram administrator”.
3. Hackers. "Specialists" can help to steal someone else's account. Such offers (and ready-made programs) are not just circulating on the darknet, but also on the regular Internet. For example, hackers have vulnerabilities in Instagram itself, leaks that the platform allows, social engineering, and other methods. Here two-factor authentication will help you . Do not be lazy to put it on your applications.
In addition, you can block your account using Instagram's terms and conditions. It is enough to complain that the user's posts allegedly violate them.
There is a menu (three dots) in the top right corner of every post with this feature. Instagram will ask what's wrong with the post and offer to specify the category of inappropriate content. This can be spam and fraud, pornography, incitement to violence, insults, the sale of illegal items, copyright infringement, and others.
You can also complain about the objectionable profile itself - for example, for publishing inappropriate content if its owner pretends to be a different person or if he is under 13 years old.
If a profile receives many complaints (and the reason must always be the same), it is blocked. There are no specific figures - the decision is made on an individual basis, but usually the more severe the violation, the fewer complaints are needed to block the profile.
However, the owner of account can challenge ban . The account will be restored as soon as its owner proves that he did not do anything illegal.
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