How to delete Instagram: Steps to take to delete or deactivate your Instagram account (2024)

Maybe it's the pandemic doomscrolling,the unsettling revelations about how toxic Instagram is for teenage girlsor you are just craving more time for IRL moments with the people you love and less time oversharing your life online.

Whatever the reason, if you are done with Instagram, you have two choices.Make a permanent break (delete your Instagram account forever with no give backs) or take a temporary break (deactivate your Instagram account with the intention ofcoming back later like Britney Spears).

Pro tip:Before you delete or disable your account, download your data. You can request your data on a mobile browser, desktopor in the app. (Instructions below).

If you are ready todelete or deactivate your Instagram app, fire up aweb browser on your desktop or phone. You cannot delete or deactivate your Instagram account on the app. Then follow thisstep-by-step guide.

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How to delete your Instagram account:

1. Go to the Instagram website and log into your account.

2. Go to the account deletion page.

3. From the drop-down menu, choose the reason you are deleting your account.

4. Enter your password again. Then click or tap the delete button.

The fine print: Instagram says it will take 30 days for your account and data permanently erase your account. During that time, your account will not be accessible on Instagram.

How to deactivate your Instagram account

1.Go to the Instagram website, and log into your account.

2. Go to your profile picture in the top right, click or tap your profile and then “Edit Profile.”

3. Scroll down, then click or tap“Temporarily disable my account” in the bottom right.

4. Choose the reason you are deactivating your account from the drop-down menu next to “Why are you disabling your account?” and enter your password again.

5. Click or tap “Temporarily disable account.”

The fine print: If you want to reactivate your account, log into the Instagram app.

How to download your Instagram data

From a computer:

1. Log into your account, and go to your profile picture then clickSettings.

2. Click Privacy andSecurity.

3. Scroll to the Data Download section and click Request Download.

4. Enter your email address and click Next.

5. Enter your Instagram account password and clickRequest Download.

6. You will receive an email with a link to your Instagram data. ClickDownload Dataand follow the instructions to finish downloading your information.

In the Instagram app:

1. Log into your account, and go to your profile.

2. Tap on the menu iconin the top right then tapSettings.

3. Tap on security, then tap “Download Data”

4. Enter your email address and tap “Request download”

5. Enter your Instagram account password, andtapNext, then tapDone.

6. You will receive an email with a link to your Instagram data. ClickDownload Dataand follow the instructions to finish downloading your information.

From a mobile browser:

1. Log into your account, and go to your profile.

2. Tap Settings in top left then tapPrivacy and Security.

3. Scroll down toData Downloadand tapRequest Download.

4. Enter your email address and tapNext.

5. Enter your Instagram account password and tapRequest Download.

6. You will receive an email with a link to your Instagram data. ClickDownload Dataand follow the instructions to finish downloading your information.

More Instagram tips

• Want to promote something on Instagram?: How to add a link to your story
• Forgot your Instagram password?: Here is how to reset it
• How to delete Instagram: Steps to take to delete or deactivate your Instagram account
• Need to contact Instagram?: Follow these steps to get support
• Following an annoying account?: Here is how to mute someone on Instagram
• Don't care for the clout?: How to hide likes on Instagram
• Need a soundtrack?: How to add music to your Instagram story

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