How to bring back instagram account
How to get back a disabled/hacked Instagram account
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, and losing access to your account can be a nightmare scenario for many users. Being cut off from your friends and community is one thing, but losing years of pictures and videos can be devastating. Fortunately, it’s not too difficult to get back your Instagram account in many cases.
To help you through the process, we’ve created this handy how-to guide for getting back your disabled, hacked, or deleted Instagram account. Account recovery could take a few days or a few weeks, depending on your situation.
Read also: Instagram tips and tricks: Do it for the ‘gram
QUICK ANSWER
To recover a disabled Instagram account, you need to submit an appeal directly to Instagram and hope for leniency. To recover a hacked Instagram account, you can try to regain access by having a code sent to your phone, or you can report the hack to Instagram and request assistance recovering your account.
JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS
- Why was my Instagram account disabled?
- How to get back a disabled Instagram account
- How to reactivate an Instagram account
- How to get back a hacked Instagram account
- Can I get back a deleted Instagram account?
Why was my Instagram account disabled?
There are many reasons why an Instagram account gets disabled, and often moderators will strike without any warning. You will know that your account has been disabled because a pop-up message will inform you the next time you try to log in.
Note that this is not the same as not having the correct password/username for your account (“Incorrect Password or Username”). If this is the case, entering your email address or phone number and resetting your password should fix the issue in a few minutes unless you’ve been hacked, which we’ll get to in a moment.
Instagram doesn’t provide precise guidance for why accounts are disabled, but it does say that it results from violating community guidelines or terms of use.
In general, things like illegal activities, hate speech, nudity, and graphic violence are grounds for action. Use of third-party apps is also prohibited and will get your account disabled. Repeat offenders may also find their accounts permanently removed with no possible recourse.
The good news is that it isn’t too complicated to get back your Instagram account if it’s been disabled erroneously. It might take a few days, but that’s nothing compared to the months or years of photos in your account.
How to get back a disabled Instagram account
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
When you do get the dreaded disabled account message, the first thing the app prompts you to do is Learn More. This will more or less guide you through the process of getting back your disabled Instagram account, although there are a few other tricks that we’ll get to in a moment.
Run through the prompts in the app, but keep in mind that to recover your Instagram account, you have to pass the appeal process.
The only way that happens is if it was disabled by mistake. Saying you’re sorry for breaking the rules and promising not to do it again won’t cut it.
Another place you can submit appeals is this official contact page. Fill in the required fields and click Send to have your case reviewed. Again, avoid apologizing, as this implies you were at fault. You may be asked to send in a selfie as verification at some point in the process.
You can repeat the appeal process as often as you want until you get a more lenient moderator. Assuming you haven’t intentionally broken any major rules, it shouldn’t take more than a few days to get a response. Don’t be afraid to be persistent, and eventually, you might get lucky.
Be aware, however, that this process can take a long time. If you want to get right back to the ‘gram, you might be better off creating a new account.
How to reactivate an Instagram account
A few years ago, Instagram added the option to temporarily deactivate your account when you need to take a break from the social media platform.
You can only do it via a mobile browser or computer (not the app), but it will remove all of your content and make it appear that the account has been deleted.
Thankfully, it’s straightforward to get your deactivated Instagram account back. Just log back in on any device, and your account will automatically be reactivated. Depending on how long you have been away, you may need to agree to any new terms and conditions put in place since you left.
How to get back a hacked Instagram account
Instagram accounts are a frequent target for hackers. They could be seeking access to private accounts, attempting to sell your username, or aiming to steal your personal details for other nefarious actions. Therefore, protecting your phone should always be a top priority. If you suspect your Instagram account has been hacked, you should take action as soon as possible. The longer hackers have access to your account, the more damage they can do to your privacy and online reputation.
What to do first to regain control of your Instagram account
The first thing to do is check for an email from Instagram stating that the email tied to your account has been changed. This is the easiest way for hackers to take control of your account. However, if you can find the email, you can reverse the action immediately.
If you can’t find the email, there is one more option to fix it before it’s too late. You can request a login link to be sent to your phone number instead of the hacker’s email address. At the login screen, tap Get help signing in (on Android) or Forgot password? (on iOS). You can then enter your phone number to have a temporary login link sent. Follow the instructions from there to regain access.
If this restores access to your account, immediately change your password and revoke access given to any third-party apps. You may also find that you are now following some new accounts. Don’t worry about that until after your account has been secured.
You’ll have plenty of time to unfollow them after securing your account.
When all else fails, you can still report the hacked account to regain access. Do this by following the steps below, and again, don’t be afraid to be persistent.
- On the login screen, tap Get help signing in (on Android) or Forgot Password? (on iOS).
- (Android only) Enter your username, email address, or phone number, and tap Next.
- Tap Need more help? and follow the on-screen instructions.
As part of this process, you must send a photo of yourself holding a security code to verify your identity. To minimize the chance of getting hacked again, turn on two-factor authentication as soon as possible, and tweak your privacy settings.
Can I get back a deleted Instagram account?
If you or someone with your login information has deleted your Instagram account, you will not be able to recover it.
Because of this, you should be very careful with sharing your login information with friends and family. If you get an email about suspicious activity, take it very seriously and change your password.
Although you cannot get back a deleted Instagram account, you can create a new account using the same email address or phone number. You won’t be able to use the same username, nor will you be able to recover any followers or images posted.
Read more: How to delete your Instagram account
FAQs
There have been past cases where hackers have sent direct messages to people pretending to be Instagram. These messages tell the account user to click on a link, providing a way for the hacker to get into the Instagram account. The best way to avoid this is to simply not click on any links in a direct message unless you know and trust the person.
If you have the 2FA code sent to your phone as a text message, then yes, it is possible to be hacked this way.
If the hacker knows your phone number, they can clone the number and intercept the text as it arrives. However, if you use an authenticator app on your phone, such as Google Authenticator or Authy, then an interception by an outside third party is impossible.
If your account was disabled by Instagram, it can take up to a month to get it back. If you disabled your own account, you can leave it disabled for as long as you want.
It’s a good idea to wait about a day before you reactivate your account. This is because the deactivation process can take up to 24 hours for Instagram to complete.
A 30-day “ban” means Instagram believes you have violated one of their terms of service (although sometimes this is a mistake). Repeated violations can lead to an account being permanently disabled.
Is Instagram not working? Here are a few things you can try to fix it
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms globally, but it can be a frustrating experience when it’s not working.
The servers are generally reliable, but we put together a list of ways to fix it for those unfortunate occurrences when Instagram isn’t working. Follow the troubleshooting guide below to fix any Instagram problems you might be experiencing.
- Check if Instagram is down
- Close and re-open Instagram
- Check for updates
- Restart your phone
- Check your internet
- Check app permissions
- Clear the app cache
- Can’t follow any more people?
Editor’s note: All instructions in this post were put together using a Pixel 4a 5G running Android 13 and the Instagram Android app version 253.0.0.23.114. With that in mind, some of the steps below may be slightly different depending on the device and the version of Instagram you’re using.
Check if Instagram is down
You might not be the only one having issues with Instagram not working. One of the first things to check is if Instagram, overall, is down.
You can double-check if Instagram is down by using Down Detector, a site that tracks all kinds of services and tells you whether they are down or not.
Just go to Down Detector’s Instagram page, and the site will tell you whether Instagram is having issues or not. They even have a Live Outage Map to check local problems.
Close and re-open Instagram
If Instagram has no general issues, then the problem might emerge from a software discrepancy. Try closing the Instagram app and re-opening it again. You could also try logging out and logging back in. Additionally, it’s worth trying to completely uninstall the app and install it fresh off the Google Play Store. One of these actions might put all the gears back in place and get everything in order again.
Check for updates
Running an older version of an app isn’t often an issue, but it can bring problems, especially when significant changes are put in place. Go into the Google Play Store and see if there are any updates for Instagram.
Get the latest version and try again!
How to update Instagram from the Google Play Store:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for “Instagram.”
- Tap into the Instagram page.
- If there is an available update, you’ll see an Update button. Otherwise, it will say Open.
- Tap Update if it’s available.
It might also help to update your phone. Newer Android versions often fix bugs and other software issues. You can also try updating the browser you’re using, if you’re trying to use Instagram from a computer.
How to check for Android updates:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go into System.
- Tap on System update.
- Select Check for update.
- Follow instructions to get your phone updated.
Restart your phone!
It often seems like a silly suggestion, but for some reason, something as simple as restarting the phone can usually get everything back in working order.
Give it a try! Just reboot the phone and try again.
How to restart an Android phone:
- Press and hold onto the Power button.
- Tap on Restart.
Check your internet
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
There’s a chance your internet connection is the culprit. A quick way to verify this is to test another app that uses the internet, or open the browser and launch any website. If nothing else is working, the problem is likely not Instagram, but your data.
If you’re using a cellular connection, try switching to Wi-Fi. Likewise, move to data if you’re using Wi-Fi. Try moving closer to the router, or you can try restarting it. Also, make sure you turn off the VPN, if you happen to be using one.
If you’re using cellular data, you might want to see if your data connection is on:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go into Network & internet.
- Select SIMs.
- Toggle Mobile data on.
- If you’re outside your country or network coverage, also toggle Roaming on (this may incur extra charges).
Turn on app permissions
Sometimes apps malfunction because we haven’t permitted them to access certain phone functions. Look into the app’s permissions to see if this may be the case for Instagram on your device.
How to enable Instagram permissions:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go into Apps.
- Tap on See all apps.
- Find Instagram and tap on it.
- Select Permissions.
- Under Not allowed, go into each section and grant it access.
Clear the cache
Cache is usually good, as it stores commonly used data on your phone and pulls it locally whenever needed, as opposed to downloading it each time. This makes your experience much faster, but cache can also get corrupted and cause problems.
It’s good to give it a clean start now and then.
Clear cache on Android:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go into Apps.
- Find the Instagram app under See all apps.
- Tap on Storage & cache.
- Hit Clear Cache.
- You can also select Clear storage for a clean start.
Can’t follow any more people?
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
You may encounter plenty of issues when using Instagram, but this one is especially common among heavy users. Are you suddenly not able to follow new people? You may have come across an error message that reads: “You can’t follow any more people.” This is not a problem with Instagram, but a limitation. It turns out we’re limited to following as many as 7,500 people. The only solution is to unfollow some Instagram accounts.
How to unfollow people on Instagram:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap on your profile image in the bottom-right corner.
- You’ll enter your profile, where you’ll see how many people you are following in the top-right corner. Tap where it says Following.
- Go through your list of contacts and tap the Following button next to their profiles, and it will turn into Follow. This means you’re not following them anymore.
Next: How to up your Instagram game to get more followers
If you still can’t get Instagram to work, we would advise you to look into their help center. You can also report a problem from within the app by going to Profile > three-line menu button > Settings > Help > Report a Problem.
2 ways + guide to action
Working on an Instagram profile is a lot of work, a lot of time and money spent. An account can be a channel for promoting a business or connecting with customers, a way to sell, earn money from advertising, etc.
And how sad it is when all the efforts made fly off in an instant - at the behest of the administration, or by their own decision. In the article I will talk about ways to restore an account on Instagram in all cases.
If you deleted it yourself
There are two ways to get rid of your Instagram profile on your own: temporarily disable or permanently delete the page. nine0003
Important. You can restore your account only in the browser version from a mobile or computer, you will not do this in the application.
If you slashed and deleted your profile permanently, you have 30 days to change your mind. Otherwise, everything that you have on Instagram will disappear forever without the possibility of recovery. In our other article, we have already talked in detail about ways to delete an account on Instagram and all the details related to this. To return the page within a month, simply log in with your profile name and password. You will see a window, select "Save account".
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In the event of a temporary shutdown, there are no restrictions on the days for recovery. Just log in with your Instagram username and password.
If blocked by the administration
When you violate the rules of the social network (sometimes without knowing it), the profile can be blocked or deleted altogether.
In the first case, the administration will simply restrict some actions for you, for example, you will not be able to like posts or run targeted ads on Instagram - this will be displayed in notifications (tab "heart"). nine0003
How can this be avoided? Read the rules in the "Help Center" and do not break them :). But, since you are here, it means they have already been violated and the profile is blocked.
1. Through Instagram support
So, you go to Instagram and see a notification that your profile has been blocked. For starters, don't panic.
Often profiles are blocked by mistake. So do nothing for a day and wait. After a day, try logging in with your username and password.
Important. Don't be fooled by offers to help you unlock your account. This can only be done in transparent ways through official sources. nine0028
If it doesn't come out, then the account is really blocked. You will see such a window, and by clicking in more detail - approximately what you were "punished" for.
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Step 1. Completing the form
Reasons can be described specifically or in water-general terms. But the essence does not change, you are blocked, so click "report this" - this is the first form that you can send to unblock.
Depending on the question, check the boxes and fill in your details. Choose the email that is listed in your Instagram account - it will receive a plan of what you need to do to unlock further.
Below you will be asked to upload an identity document - be sure to do so. Also, take your passport, unfold it so the data is clearly visible, put it next to your face and take a photo. Download it too, just in case. nine0003
And it seems like everything is great, easy and simple. But, I'll upset you now. It may be that they will answer you not from the first time, but, for example, from the fifth. If after submitting the form nothing happens in the mail, send it again, change the mail when filling out. Yes, you’ll have to freak out, he’s such a confused Instagram, but don’t give up.
Step 2. Photo with data
When the coveted letter arrives in the mail, you will be asked to take a picture with your data on a piece of paper, namely, with the sent code, first and last name and the name of the profile on Instagram.
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Also, when submitting the form, if possible, attach an accompanying letter with text in Russian and English with the deepest request to consider your application. Even if you are furious, write politely, treat with respect. For example, YouTuber Maxim Bondarenko in his video recommends using the following text:
Send all forms, fill out forms until you receive some answer from the administration. Be patient, unlocking may take more than 30 days, but you must admit that in order to return a full-fledged profile, you can wait. nine0003
2. Via Facebook support chat
I'll leave you a link to the page with it, but it's not a fact that the button "Start a chat with technical support" will appear, and it's completely unclear why. Somewhere there is information that the button appears only if you are generous with advertising, or you simply launch it through Facebook. It looks like this:
So, if you do not have this button, you need to find the person who has it.
Yes, you will have to freeze. But this method of recovery is much faster and the probability of a result is many times higher. nine0003
As an advertisement
After clicking on the button you will be taken to the menu (screen below). In accordance with the problem, you need to select a section - in this case, account protection and security policy.
Next, the social network will again offer you help sections, but the same button will appear at the bottom. After filling out a standard form, you will be taken to a chat with a support representative. Just do not expect that they will really answer you in 3 minutes, as it is written.
And to make it easier to unlock...
How to restore an Instagram account after deletion, she told, and now I will tell you about the moments with which there will be no problems with unlocking.
- Real photos
Put a photo on the avatar so that when checking it is clear that the owner is a real user.
Look through the feed of your instagram account, note that your face should also flicker there.
- Linking email and phone number
Be sure to link your real email and number to your Instagram account. It is desirable that the same mail be linked to your Facebook account. To bind the address and number, go to Settings-> Account-> Personal information. You will then receive a confirmation email to your inbox/phone. nine0003
- First and last name
In the name of the instagram account and profile name. I think everything is clear here, it will just be easier for the administration to understand by such a name that the account belongs to you.
If your account was hacked
If you have a problem with logging in, first check if your account is found in the search at all in order to exclude the possibility of blocking it by the administration. If the profile is disabled - you are higher.
Important.
Carefully check the address from which the letter comes, for example, about some problems with the account. It can only be similar to the Instagram helpdesk. Fraudsters use such letters with links, you click, find yourself on a fake page of the social network and, one might say, voluntarily leak your data to hackers. nine0028
1. If there are no problems with logging in
You are sitting in your profile and noticed some changes in your account - publications that you did not post, deleted correspondence, etc., this means that someone is in your profile hosts. In this case, immediately change the password and reset the data to enter the linked mail and Facebook.
2. If the data has already been changed by crackers
Reset your password, changed two-factor authentication, changed the profile name, etc. When logging in, enter your new username and old password from the page. nine0003
Next, if you are asked for a two-factor authentication code (which you do not have), go down below and select the “Try another method” -> “Get help” button.
After that, as in other methods, you need to fill out a form.
Specify the email address that was linked to the hacked account, check "Personal account with photos that have me". Below you need to insert your letter to the support service, preferably in English. Describe the situation in it, BUT, do not write that you were hacked. Just let them know that you can’t access your profile, indicate when you last logged in, where from, the attached phone number and mail. nine0003
After sending the request, you need to wait for an email, where you will be asked to take a photo with a code and information (I already talked about this in the blocking section). If everything is done correctly and the stars converge at this moment, you will be sent instructions to restore your account.
Life hack. To prevent your account from being blocked, we recommend cleaning it from unwanted activity and bots. To do this, you can use a special service -> Instahero.
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BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MAIN
The key to account recovery is patience. Understand that you are not the only one who writes to the support service with such requests.
Whether an Instagram account will be restored depends on many factors. Show in your letters, when chatting, that your Instagram account plays a really important role in your life, but don't be unfounded, back it up with facts, for example, advertising costs.
You should also contact the support service if your data has already been changed by hackers and it is not possible to recover your password via mail. But the specific hacking form was removed from the appeals, apparently, there were too many similar questionnaires. Therefore, there is no absolute guarantee that the administration will answer you on this issue, alas. nine0003
Related:
How to delete an Instagram account: 4 ways from your phone or computerHow to delete followers on Instagram: methods 2021How to create a business profile on Instagram: instructions and tips
4 ways from your phone or computer
how to delete an account on Instagram, I’ll say right away that there are two ways - a temporary shutdown, or deleting an account forever.
In the article, I will show both methods step by step, and you yourself decide whether you need to leave the popular social network or not (if you change your mind, there are a lot of interesting things on Instagram in our blog). nine0003
temporarily delete your Instagram account
If you just want to take a break from Instagram and resist the temptation to go there, you can temporarily disable your Instagram account. This can only be done from the web version of the site, it will not work through the mobile application.
- From a computer
In your profile, click "Edit profile", then scroll down the page.
In the lower right corner you will see the button “Temporarily disable my account”, click there. nine0003
Select the reason why you decided to temporarily disable your account. Be sure to read the full list. Suggestions include: Can't find someone to follow, Too many ads, Problems launching, Created a second account, Just need a break, Privacy concerns, Want to delete something, Busy/too distracting, Other.
Next, enter your Instagram password. Only after all the actions taken you will be able to click the “Temporarily disable account” button. nine0003
To recover your account in this case, you just need to log in with your username and password. Therefore, be sure to remember your data, suddenly decide to return. In our other article, you can learn more about how to recover an account on Instagram. We figured out how to temporarily delete an Instagram account from a computer, let's move on.
- From the phone
Now how to delete an Instagram account via phone. You can do this in a mobile browser. Sign in to instagram.com and repeat the steps above for PC. nine0003
I remind you that when using this method of deleting an account, your profile will disappear from the vastness of Instagram, but it can be restored at any time. For other users, the link to your profile will become unavailable, your page will not be able to be found in the search and contact you.
Interesting. There is an opinion that bloggers temporarily delete their profile after the contest with the condition of subscribing to them. They do this in order to keep their audience. But it is not exactly :). nine0003
How to permanently delete your Instagram account
If you delete your account, your profile, all photos, videos, comments, likes and followers will also be permanently deleted. By deleting your account, you will be able to sign up again with the same username or use it in a different account if the other person does not do so first.
- From the computer
As in the first method, click "Edit profile" in your account.
Scroll down the page, press the "Help" button in the settings bar (where the "Information", "Blog", "Jobs" buttons, etc.) are. nine0003
After that, a window with additional settings will open in front of you. In the menu on the left, click the "Manage your account" button.
Next, select the "Delete account" section. After clicking this button, select “How do I delete my Instagram account?”.
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To delete your Instagram account, select "Delete Account".
A page will appear asking you to select the reason for deletion. You must select one from the list provided.
At this stage, Instagram warns about the risks and consequences of actions. This is necessary so that you understand the responsibility of this serious step. If you're ready, enter your Instagram account password to confirm the action. Well, then click "Delete account". nine0003
- From the phone
In order to delete the profile from the phone, launch Instagram in a mobile browser. In the Instagram app, you won't be able to permanently delete a profile.
Go to settings, then to “Settings - Help Center”. If necessary, the interface can be switched to Russian (at the bottom of the page).
Click on the “Manage your account” button and then “Delete account”.
On the next page for complete removal, select "How to delete your account". And then click on the link “Go to the account deletion page”. nine0003
At this stage, you need to select a browser or application, indicate the reason for deletion, enter the password for your account. And to confirm, click on the “Delete account” button. As a result, your Instagram account will be completely deleted.
Note. 30 days after the submission of the request, the account and all information associated with it will be permanently deleted. You will not be able to recover this information.
Briefly about the main thing
As a conclusion, I recommend using a temporary profile shutdown, but if you still decide to permanently delete your account, then I advise you to log into it before deleting your account and download a copy of your information, such as photos and publications.
