Instagram gives you two ways to remove your account, and they work differently
You can either deactivate your account temporarily or delete it permanently. Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and comments for up to 30 days — if you change your mind and log back in during that window, everything returns. Permanent deletion removes your account and all its content from Instagram's servers after 30 days, and you cannot undo it after that period ends.
Most people choose deactivation first because it gives you a month to reconsider. If you are certain you want to leave Instagram for good, permanent deletion is the option to use. The process itself takes just a few minutes, but the actual removal from Instagram's systems takes the full 30 days.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for up to 30 days and is reversible if you log back in; permanent deletion removes everything after 30 days and cannot be undone.
- You must use Instagram's official website to delete your account — the mobile app does not have a delete option, only deactivation.
- During the 30-day deletion window, your account is hidden but still exists; you can log back in to cancel the deletion request.
- After 30 days, Instagram removes your photos, videos, comments, likes, and follower list permanently from their servers.
- Messages you sent to other users may remain in their inboxes even after your account is deleted.
How to permanently delete your account on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in to the account you want to delete. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left corner, then select Settings and privacy. From there, click Help, then Help Center.
In the Help Center search box, type "delete account" and click the result that says How do I delete my account? This page has a link that says Delete Your Account — click it. Instagram will ask you to choose a reason for leaving (this is optional), then ask you to enter your password to confirm. After you enter your password and click Permanently delete account, the deletion process begins.
Your account will be hidden when ready, but Instagram keeps your data for 30 days in case you want to cancel. If you log back in during those 30 days, the deletion request stops and your account returns to normal. After 30 days pass without you logging in, Instagram permanently removes your account and all its content.
How to permanently delete your account on a phone
The Instagram app itself does not have a permanent delete option — you must use a web browser on your phone. Open Safari (on iPhone) or Chrome (on Android) and go to Instagram.com. Log in, then tap the menu icon (three lines) at the bottom right. Tap Settings and privacy, then Help, then Help Center.
Search for "delete account" and tap the result How do I delete my account? Tap the Delete Your Account link. Choose a reason if you want to, enter your password, and tap Permanently delete account. The same 30-day window applies — your account hides right away, but you can cancel by logging in again before the 30 days end.
What happens to your photos, videos, and messages
After the 30-day deletion period ends, Instagram removes all your photos, videos, captions, and comments from their servers. Your follower list disappears, and your profile becomes completely inaccessible. Other users cannot find you by searching, and your profile page shows an error if someone tries to visit it directly.
Messages you sent to other people may still appear in their inboxes and direct message threads, even after your account is gone. Instagram does not delete messages from the recipient's side when you delete your account. If you want to remove specific messages before deleting, you can delete them individually from your direct messages before you start the deletion process.
Any photos or videos you were tagged in by other users will remain on their accounts and in their posts. Deleting your account does not remove tags or mentions that other people created.
How to cancel a deletion if you change your mind
During the 30-day waiting period, straightforward log back into your account using your username and password. Your account will return to normal when ready, and the deletion request will be cancelled. You can do this as many times as you want during those 30 days — there is no limit on how many times you can cancel and restart the process.
After the 30 days have passed, you cannot recover your account or any of its content. If you want to use Instagram again after permanent deletion, you would need to create a brand new account with a different email address or phone number.
Deactivation as an alternative to permanent deletion
If you are not completely sure about leaving Instagram, deactivation might be a better first step. When you deactivate, your profile, photos, and comments disappear from public view, but Instagram keeps all your data. You can reactivate by logging back in at any time — there is no waiting period like there is with deletion.
Deactivation is useful if you want to take a break from Instagram without losing your account permanently. You can deactivate multiple times without any penalty. To deactivate on a computer, go to Settings and privacy > Help > Help Center, search for "deactivate", and follow the link. On a phone, use the same path through your web browser.
Things to do before you delete
If you have photos or videos you want to keep, read them before you delete your account. On a computer, go to Settings and privacy > Account center > Your information and permissions > read your information. Instagram will prepare a file with all your photos, videos, and captions, which you can read as a zip file. This process can take a few days.
On a phone, you can use the same path through a web browser, or you can screenshot or save individual photos before deletion. There is no automatic read feature in the mobile app, so the web method is faster if you have a lot of content.
If you use your Instagram account to log into other apps or websites, change those passwords before you delete. Some apps let you sign in with your Instagram account, and deleting Instagram will disconnect those logins. Check any apps that say "Sign in with Instagram" and set up a regular password instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my username after I delete my account?
After your account is permanently deleted, your username becomes available for anyone to use. If you want to prevent this, you could change your username to something random before deleting, but that does not stop someone else from taking it. If your username is important to you, consider deactivation instead of deletion.
Will deleting my Instagram account delete my Facebook account too?
No. Even if your Instagram and Facebook accounts are linked, deleting one does not affect the other. They are separate accounts. If you want to remove the link between them, you can unlink them in your Instagram settings before you delete.
What if I forgot my password and cannot log in to delete my account?
Use Instagram's password reset feature on the login page. Enter your email address or username, and Instagram will send you a reset link. Once you reset your password and log in, you can proceed with the deletion steps. If you no longer have access to the email address on your account, you may need to contact Instagram's support through their Help Center.
Does Instagram delete my account when ready or after 30 days?
Your account is hidden when ready after you request deletion, but Instagram keeps your data for 30 days. The permanent removal from their servers happens after those 30 days pass without you logging back in. During the 30 days, your account is not visible to other users, but you can still cancel the deletion by logging in.
Can I delete my account if I have a business or creator account?
Yes, the deletion process is the same for business, creator, and personal accounts. All account types follow the same 30-day deletion window and can be cancelled by logging back in during that period.