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How to clear an instagram account


How to Reset Your Instagram Account

Thanks to its easy photo and video sharing capabilities, Instagram has become an incredibly popular and must-have social media app. However, there may come a time when you decide to leave the app or you need to find a way to regain access to the app.

If you want to reset something on your Instagram account, you are likely searching for a way to reset your username, password, email address, or phone number, or you might be searching for a way to reset your entire account, deleting all of your old photos, likes, and followers.

Whatever your reasons for being here, this article has everything covered, from fixing those login credentials to wiping the slate clean. Here are various ways to reset your Instagram account.

How to Reset Your Instagram Password Using Facebook, Email, Phone, or Username

To start, let’s first look at how to reset your password, as this is one of the most common issues Instagram users run into. If you’re locked out of your account and can’t seem to sign in to Instagram, you have a couple of options.

First, if you’ve linked your Instagram and Facebook accounts together, try logging in with your Facebook profile. Logging in with Facebook may be all you need to get back into your account, where you can change and update your password. Follow these steps to reset your password:

  1. Launch Instagram and tap on Forgot password? on iOS or Get help logging in on Android.
  2. You’ll have three options: Username (also includes email), Phone, and Log In With Facebook.
  3. If you know your Facebook login and it’s connected to your Instagram, select Continue as… at the bottom.
  4. If you don’t know your Facebook login, enter your Instagram username, email, or phone. You MUST have one of those credentials. An email gets sent to the address you have on file with a link to reset your password.

If you do not receive a link to reset your password, then you may have been hacked, and the hacker may have changed the information in your account to keep you from being able to regain access. Alternately, you may not remember the original username, email address, or phone number you used for the account.

If this is the case, don’t worry–there’s another option.

How to Reset Your Instagram Password without a Username, Email, or Password

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Tap on Get help logging in. for Android or Forgot Password? on iOS.
  3. Tap on Need more help?
  4. Fill out the information on the screen, then tap on Request Support.

Fill out the information as much information as you can. The more convincing you can be that you are the legitimate owner of the account, the more likely it is that Instagram will decide to give you access back. Include any additional details that the security team might need to help them make an accurate decision.

However, keep in mind that this may not work. Instagram works hard to make sure people cannot gain access to accounts they do not own, so they have to err on the side of caution when they receive a request for additional assistance in logging in. If you cannot prove that you are the real owner of the account, you might not be able to get back into your account.

How to Delete All Your Instagram Photos to Reset Your Instagram Account

Another form of resetting your Instagram account is to delete all photos/posts. This way, you still have your current account but start fresh with new images and posts. Here is where things get a little more tricky. Ideally, Instagram would let you mass delete posts and photos. Unfortunately, this simply isn’t the case. Instagram not only neglects an option to delete all of your posts at once, but they also make it more difficult to use third-party services, to the point that there is none available now in 2022.

Use Third-Party Applications to Delete All Instagram Photos

At one time, you could search for Instagram cleaners on Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store, and a number of reliable applications would appear. However, in September of 2021, many trusted options disappeared. As of April 2022, there are no Instagram bulk-delete apps available on either platform.

Archive Your Old Instagram Posts to Reset Your Instagram Account

Before you go crazy deleting everything, know that you can easily archive old pictures. Archiving means that no one can see them except you. Essentially, this allows you to hide photos without actually getting rid of them.

To archive a photo, follow these steps:

  1. Open the photo you want to archive.
  2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
  3. Tap Archive.

To view archived photos, go to your profile, and tap on the three horizontal lines. Select the Archive option. There, you can view all of your previous stories and your archived photos. Tap on the Archived Stories option at the top of the page to choose between your Stories, posts, and Live content.

How to Delete Your Account and Open it Again

If you’re going to dive in headfirst and delete your entire IG account, you can do that from within the app itself. Note that following the instructions below will permanently remove all of your comments and likes, as well as reset your follower account to zero.

Still interested? Start by deleting your Instagram account.

  1. Go to the special Delete Your Account page on your mobile device or desktop.
  2. Select a reason for deletion from the dropdown menu.
  3. Re-enter your account password.
  4. Click or tap Permanently delete my account.

Note: If you choose this method, you will need to wait 14 days to reuse your username.

You can now create a new account with the same username unless someone got to your username in the interim. Once you have your new account, it will be like a brand new account. Sometimes a fresh start is just what the doctor ordered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reactivate My Instagram Account?

If you’ve temporarily disabled your account, you can reactivate it by logging in with the same credentials. If you’ve permanently deactivated your account, you cannot reactivate it. Assuming there were some issues and your account was deleted by a hacker or Instagram, contact the Instagram Support Team for more help.

Can I create a new account with the same login info?

As of April 2022, according to an official Instagram account deletion page, it says, “After your account is deleted, you can sign up again with the same username or add that username to another account as long as it hasn’t been taken by a new person on Instagram.”

You’ll find many websites stating you can’t, but that is not correct, as referenced by the link provided above. Just click the dropdown next to “How do I delete my Instagram account?”

Why am I locked out of my Instagram account?

Whether your account is saying that the password is incorrect or Instagram has disabled your account, there are several reasons your account is inaccessible. If you’ve tried the steps above and cannot access your account, contact Instagram Support. Also, check your emails for any messages from Instagram. This may give you insight if you’ve violated the community guidelines or your account has been hacked.

If I delete my Facebook account, how do I access Instagram?

If you choose to delete your Facebook account, but it is also the login option for Instagram, you’ll have to unlink the accounts on Instagram before deactivating your Facebook account. To do this, head to Settings on Instagram, click on Account, then tap on Linked Accounts. Set up a new username and password, then safely delete your Facebook account.

Can I delete all of my Instagram posts at once?

No, you cannot bulk-delete all Instagram posts. There used to be third-party apps, but they are gone on Android and iOS. The only genuine option is to delete your account unless you are willing to filter posts and delete each one individually.

How to Remove an Account From Instagram If You Have Multiple Accounts

  • You can easily remove an account from Instagram in six simple steps.
  • If you have multiple Instagram accounts, removing an account you no longer use or want can clean up your account and notifications.
  • It's important to note that removing an account is different than permanently deleting an account from Instagram.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Whether it's for work, to document hobbies, or show off the life of your adorable pupper, it's not uncommon to run multiple Instagram accounts. 

However, you might find yourself needing to remove one of these accounts from your Instagram because maybe your Instagram-famous dog died and you want to close that chapter, or you just need a little break from your personal Instagram.

Fortunately, it's easy to remove extraneous Instagram accounts. Here are six steps to remove an Instagram account using your iPhone or Android.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Best Buy)
Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $899.99 at Best Buy)

How to remove an account from Instagram

1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android. Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

The interface layouts are analogous on iPhone and Android. Emma Witman/Business Insider

2. Tap the down arrow next to your Instagram username at the top of the screen.

Tapping the arrow will pull up all of your Instagram accounts. Removing an account is the same as simply logging out in these steps. If you want to wipe the account from Instagram completely, that is a different process. Emma Witman/Business Insider

3. Select the account that you want to remove from the drop-down list.

You'll need to be logged into the account you want to log out of. You can also log out of multiple accounts at a time. Emma Witman/Business Insider

4. Tap the three lines in the top-right corner.

Don't get sucked into the distraction of checking your timeline — everything you need to do to log out is done from your profile page screen. Emma Witman/Business Insider

5. Tap "Settings," or the gear icon, from the menu. 

6. Tap the blue "Log Out" text at the bottom of the screen. Click the blue "Log Out" button in the pop-up window to confirm your choice. In this window you can also log out of multiple accounts at the same time by tapping the circle to the right of the account name — a blue check mark should appear in the circle if you've selected the account.  

After clicking "Log Out" the first time, you'll be prompted to confirm, in case you change your mind or are logged into the wrong account. Emma Witman/Business Insider

The account will no longer show up alongside your other Instagram accounts.

 

  • How to turn on Instagram notifications on iPhone or Android, and control which notifications you see

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  • How to clear the Instagram cache on your iPhone to free up storage space

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  • How to repost a video on Instagram using the Repost app for iPhone or Android

Emma Witman

Emma Witman is an Asheville, NC-based freelance journalist with a keen interest in writing about hardware, PC gaming, politics, and personal finance. She is a former crime reporter for a daily newspaper, and has also written extensively about bartending for Insider. She may or may not judge your drink order when behind the bar. Follow her on Twitter at @emwity.

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HOW TO DELETE ACCOUNT ON INSTAGRAM - 2 options: permanently and temporarily

If you need to delete your profile on Instagram, follow the instructions. After that, the user will not be able to upload old photos and stories to his mobile phone.

We advise you to save photos and stories dear to your heart from the archive to your phone in advance. After a month or two, they cannot be returned, they are deleted from the servers.

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How to delete an Instagram account from your phone

Getting rid of the page without leaving the application on your smartphone is real. To do this, do the following:

1. Go to the Instagram program and go to the profile.

2. Tap on the menu (three bars) on top and click on "Settings".
3. Go to "Help" and "Help Center".
4. Go to "Manage Account".
5. In the "Search" line, enter "Delete profile".

6. Find the "How to delete your account" guide and tap on the link.
7. Take any of the reasons for leaving and write down your password.

After that, the account is deactivated and disappears completely after 30-90 days.

Useful: Review of Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G NE - argued in 8 sections The request to be removed from the servers takes up to three months. This time the link is still active, but there will be no content inside. All publications, likes and comments will not be seen by other users.

After a month or two, Internet users will no longer see the account itself. The information will be deleted. But at the same time, a backup (backup copy) may be on the servers of the service itself for a couple of months. This is stated in the data usage policy.

The steps on how to permanently delete an Instagram account are the same as in the paragraph above: go to settings, go to help. In the search, register "Delete profile", take "How to delete an account." After tapping on the link, where to choose one of the reasons for getting rid of the page.

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How to temporarily delete an Instagram account

If you don’t want to leave social networks, but you just need to disable your Instagram account for a while, then follow these instructions. So photos, likes and comments will remain hidden: no one can access them. And they will appear only after the account is restored. You cannot turn off the profile in the application - only in the web version. How it's done:

  • Open the social network Instagram.com in the browser itself.
  • Click on the avatar and go to your profile.
  • A page with a menu will open: there you can enter the mobile phone number, gender and other features of the account.
  • Scroll and select "Temporarily disable account".

Next, you should find the reason why you want to deactivate the acc. If the point is that you need to delete a comment, you get a lot of ads, or the social network is distracting, Instagram will suggest solutions without deleting it. For those who still want to move away from social networks, just click "Temporarily disable".

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How to delete an Instagram account from a computer

Nickname will be lost when deleting a profile. If another user wants to take this "name" for himself, he can do it. And upon return, you will have to create a page with a new nickname.

Sometimes others may have time to take this name - consider this before deleting your Instagram account. For those who decide to leave online, the algorithm is as follows:

All steps on how to delete an Instagram account are suitable for any type of profile - personal or professional. The instructions are identical in both cases.

But if you just want to hide the page and keep posting, hiding is enough. To do this, go to the privacy settings and check the box next to "Closed account". After that, only those who have already been subscribed can watch what is happening on the page. No one will even be able to view the content anonymously and through bots.

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How to delete an Instagram account: instructions

Sometimes it is useful to take a break from social networks, but self-discipline allows this only to a few. Then deleting the profile comes to the rescue. We explain how to delete from Instagram permanently or temporarily, saving data

Since March 21, 2022, the social networks Facebook and Instagram have been banned in Russia by a court decision, and the holding company Meta Platforms, which owns them, has been recognized as an extremist organization and is also banned.

Some users notice that they devote too much time to managing their Instagram account to the detriment of work and personal affairs. Even the owner of Instagram, Meta, admitted in internal documents that its social networks have a negative impact on sleep, work, parenting, work productivity and personal life of approximately 12.5% ​​of users. And scientists from the University of British Columbia found that users' own lives begin to seem insufficiently bright and interesting compared to what they see on Instagram.

Meanwhile, until the spring of 2022, the social network was consistently in the top 10 in terms of downloads in Russia and in the world. The international agency We Are Social estimated that in 2021 Instagram ranked fourth in our country in terms of the number of users (61.2% of Russian Internet users go there), and in total 67.8% of the Russian population (99 million people) use social networks. The average Russian spends 3 hours a day outside of work at the monitor or with a smartphone.

In November 2021, Instagram began testing the Take a Break feature. It will allow users to escape from the continuous viewing of the feed. In the settings, it will be possible to set reminders for breaks, for example, 10, 20 or 30 minutes. After that, the application will issue a warning about the need to rest. However, this feature has been opened to a limited number of users so far.

For now, everyone has the only alternative - to give up Instagram for a while or for good.

How to permanently delete an Instagram account

This option should be chosen when the profile is definitely no longer useful: for example, if we are talking about the account of a company that has closed.

Before deleting a profile, Instagram will offer to save data from it. To do this, you need to send a download request. After that, an email will be sent to your email within 48 hours with a link where you can download photos and videos. You can also request a copy of your data through the Instagram app for Android and iPhone. To do this, open the menu in the profile, go to the "Settings" - "Security" section and select the "Download data" item. Next, you will need to enter your email address and account password.

Download request from Instagram

Even after deleting the profile, it will be visible on the social network for another 30 days. During this time, the user can change his mind and restore the account. If within a month the owner of the profile has never logged into the system, then the account is permanently deleted.

In the web version

To delete a profile using a computer, you need to perform several steps:

  • go to the social network site and click on the "Help" button in the lower right corner;
  • go to the "Help Center" and select the line "Delete your account" in the left menu;
  • follow the link suggested in the article;
  • specify the reason for deleting the profile;
  • confirm the action by entering a password.

From a smartphone

To delete an Instagram profile using your phone, you need to take more steps:

  • enter your profile in the application and click on "Settings";
  • in the menu that appears, select the "Help" line and go to the "Help Center";
  • on the page that opens, select the item "Manage your account";
  • in the search bar enter the query "Delete profile";
  • go to the article "How to delete your Instagram account";
  • follow the link in the article;
  • indicate the reason for deleting the account and enter the page password.

How to temporarily delete an Instagram account

The user can also stop using Instagram for any period and then restore the page. However, you can do this no more than once a week. A temporarily deleted profile is not visible to other users of the social network. To restore it, you just need to log into the application.

In the web version

To temporarily deactivate your profile using a computer, you must perform the following steps:

  • go to the social network site under your account;
  • click on the profile photo and select "Settings" in the menu that opens;
  • at the bottom of the page, click on the link "Temporarily disable my account";
  • on the page that opens, indicate the reason for the temporary disconnection and enter the account password.

From the phone

As in the case of the "permanent" deletion, temporary blocking of Instagram will require more steps:

  • go to your profile;
  • go to the "Settings" section and select the "Help" item;
  • in the menu that appears, click on the line "Help Center";
  • on the support page, open the "Manage your account" item;
  • in the search bar, enter "Temporarily disable";
  • go to the article "How to delete your Instagram account";
  • click on the link "How to temporarily disable your account" and find the article "Instagram. com website from a mobile browser";
  • click on the link in the first paragraph of the instruction and go to the mobile browser;
  • on the main page of the account, click on the "Edit profile" button;
  • select the link "Temporarily disable my account" at the bottom of the page.

Is it possible to delete a blocked Instagram account

To delete your account, you need to know your username and password. A forgotten password can be reset using an email address, phone number, or Facebook account. If the user does not have access to the email address specified during registration, and his Instagram and Facebook accounts are not linked, then the support service will not be able to provide access to the account.

In the event that an Instagram account has been blocked by the social network itself, its owner will see a corresponding message when logging in. He can appeal this decision. To do this, you need to open the app, enter your username and password, and then follow the instructions on the screen.

Learn more