How to Delete Instagram Account [Temporary and Permanent]

Delete Instagram account is a permanent decision that can have various consequences. Before you proceed, you must understand what will happen to your account and the data associated with it. If you’re unsure whether to delete your account, consider temporarily deactivating it to give yourself time to reconsider.

Here are the simple ways to permanently or temporarily erase your Instagram account in various platforms..

Temporary Deactivation vs. Permanent Deletion

If you’re thinking about stepping back from Instagram for a while or bidding it farewell forever, you have two main choices: temporarily deactivate your account or permanently delete it. Let’s break down these options in simpler terms.

Temporary Deactivation

Temporary deactivation serves as a pause button for your Instagram account, offering flexibility without permanent consequences.

Instagram allows you to temporarily deactivate your account, keeping your photos, comments, and likes hidden until you’re ready to come back. Your followers won’t be notified, and your account won’t show up in searches.

Instagram’s Help Center states that you can temporarily deactivate your account once a week, allowing you to keep it hidden and inactive without deletion until you’re ready to use it again. While the duration of temporary deactivation is unlimited, you can reactivate your account at any time.

Why Would You Choose This?

• Real-Life Stuff: Life got busy, and you need a break to handle things like work, school, or personal stuff.
• Feeling Overwhelmed: Social media stressing you out? Taking a break might help you feel less overwhelmed.
• Privacy Check: Maybe you just want some time away from the digital spotlight for a bit. But if you want to deactivate because some embarrassing or annoying post, you can delete your Instagram post or just delete instagram message instead.

What’s Good and What’s Not?

• Good Side: You can come back whenever you want, keeping the door open.
• Not-So-Good Side: You won’t access your account during the break, and friends might wonder where you went.

Benefits and Limitations

• Benefits: Preserves data, allows reactivation.
• Limitations: Profile remains visible, messages accessible.

Deactivating Instagram account will not notify your followers. However, if you want to know if someone deactivated their Instagram account, follow the tricks by Trevor Nace in his video:

Permanent Deletion

Permanent deletion, on the other hand, is a decisive farewell to your Instagram presence. When you choose to permanently delete your account, Instagram wipes the slate clean. Your photos, profile, and all the data associated with your account disappear for good.

This decision is irreversible, so make sure it’s what you really want. It’s crucial to back up any data you want to keep before deleting your account, as the deletion is permanent. Deleting your Instagram account also removes your access to affiliated apps like WhatsApp and Messenger.

If you initiate account deletion on the app, you have a 30-day window to change your mind. This aligns with Apple’s guidelines, allowing some time for the deletion process. If you have second thoughts, log back in within 30 days to cancel the deletion.

Why Would You Choose This?

• Privacy Boost: If you really want to vanish from Instagram and boost your privacy, this is the way.
• Digital Detox: Deleting your account is like a digital detox, simplifying your life by ditching social media.
• Less Online, More Offline: You’re ready to step into a less digital life, and deleting your account is the big step.

What Happens When You Press Delete?

• Gone for Good: Everything – your photos, followers, and all your Instagram history – gone forever.
• Fresh Start: On the bright side, it’s a fresh start, no looking back.
• Irreversible action: You can’t reactivate your account.
• Loss of photos, videos, and account data.

If life’s getting too hectic or you just need a break, go for temporary deactivation. But if you’re serious about leaving Instagram behind, hit the delete button. Knowing these simple differences and Instagram’s policies helps you choose what’s right for you.

A. Delete Instagram Account on iPhone

Temporary Deactivation on iPhone

To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on an iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the profile icon at the bottom-right corner to access your account.
3. Tap the menu icon (hamburger icon) in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen.
4. Select “Settings” and then “Account.”
5. Scroll down and tap “Delete account.”
6. You will be prompted to select a reason for deleting your account. Choose one from the drop-down menu and tap “Continue.”
7. Enter your account password when prompted.
8. Tap “Delete account” again to confirm the deletion.

If your Instagram already connected with Meta, then the steps are different. The easy way is:

1. Open the Instagram app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the profile icon at the bottom-right corner to access your account.
3. Tap the menu icon (hamburger icon) in the top-left or top-right corner of the screen.
4. Select “Settings and privacy”
5. Type Delete, then there will be “Deactivation or deletion” button
6. Select which account you want to delete “fb or instagram”
7. Choose between permanent or temporary deletion. Choose “deactivate account” for temporary deactivation
8. Click continue

Permanent Deletion on iPhone

To permanently delete your Instagram account on iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap your profile icon at the bottom-right.
3. Tap the menu icon (hamburger) at the top-left or top-right.
4. Select “Settings” > “Account.”
5. Scroll down, tap “Delete account.”
6. Choose a reason and tap “Continue.”
7. Enter your password.
8. Tap “Delete account” to confirm.

B. Delete Instagram Account on Android

Temporary Deactivation on Android

To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on Android, follow these steps:

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon to access your account.
3. Select “Edit Profile.”
4. Scroll down and tap “Temporarily disable my account.”
5. Provide a reason and re-enter your password.
6. Tap “Temporarily disable account” to close it.

Keep in mind, you can use this feature once a week, ideal for hiding your account without deletion until you’re ready to use it again.

Permanent Deletion on Android

To delete your Instagram account through Android, follow these steps:

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android device.
2. Tap on your Profile tab.
3. Access “Edit profile.”
4. Scroll to the bottom and choose “Personal information settings.”
5. Tap on “Account ownership and control.”
6. Select “Deactivation or deletion.”
7. Choose the Instagram account for deletion.
8. Ensure “Delete account” is selected, then tap “Continue.”
9. Enter your password and tap “Continue.”
10. Pick your reason for deactivation and tap “Continue.”
11. Depending on your reason, follow through by tapping “Continue.”
12. Confirm by tapping “Delete account.”

After these steps, your Instagram account will be permanently deleted. Remember, this action is irreversible, and once deleted, you cannot recover your account or information.

C. Delete Instagram Account on Desktop Computer

Temporary Deactivation on Desktop

To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on a desktop, follow these steps:

1. Open a web browser and go to the Instagram website.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Click on the profile icon in the bottom-right corner and choose “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
4. In the menu that appears, click on “Account” and then “Account ownership and control.”
5. Select “Deactivation or deletion” and choose your account from the drop-down menu.
6. Enter your password when prompted.
7. Click on “Continue.”
8. Choose a reason for deactivation from the drop-down menu or select “Something else” if you prefer.
9. Click on “Deactivate account” to confirm.

Your Instagram account will be temporarily deactivated, and you will be signed out from Instagram on all linked devices. To reactivate, log back into your account.

Permanent Deletion on Desktop

To permanently delete your Instagram account on a desktop, you can follow these general steps:

1. Open a web browser and visit the Instagram website.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Click on the profile icon in the top-right corner and choose “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
4. In the appearing menu, click on “Account” and then “Account ownership and control.”
5. Select “Deactivation or deletion” and pick your account from the drop-down menu.
6. Enter your password when prompted.
7. Click on “Continue.”
8. Choose “Permanently delete my account” and select a reason for deletion from the drop-down menu.
9. Re-enter your password when prompted.
10. Click on “Permanently delete my account” to confirm your decision.

Conclusion

The process of deleting your Instagram account, whether temporarily or permanently, demands careful consideration. By understanding the steps involved on different platforms, you can make an informed decision about managing your digital footprint. Whether it’s a brief hiatus or a permanent farewell, take control of your social media presence.

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