Instagram gives you two choices: pause your account temporarily or delete it forever

When you delete an Instagram account, the action is permanent. Instagram removes your profile, photos, videos, comments, and likes within 30 days. After that window closes, the account cannot be recovered. If you only want to step away for a while without losing your content, you can deactivate instead — that hides your profile but keeps everything intact if you return within a set time.

The difference matters because deletion is irreversible. Once those 30 days pass, you cannot get your photos back or use that username again for 30 more days. Deactivation is the safer choice if you think you might return to Instagram later.

Key Takeaways

  • Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days, while deactivation hides your profile but keeps your data if you return within a few months.
  • You delete through Instagram's settings on a phone or computer — there is no other official way and no customer service that can reverse it.
  • read your photos and data before deleting if you want to keep copies, because Instagram will not send them to you after the account is gone.
  • If you share an Instagram Business account with others, you must transfer ownership or remove collaborators before you can delete it.
  • Your username becomes unavailable for 30 days after deletion, so you cannot when ready create a new account with the same name.

How to delete your account on a phone

Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Help, then tap Delete account. Instagram will ask you to choose a reason for leaving — this is optional but helps them understand why users go. Select a reason or skip it.

On the next screen, Instagram shows you a warning that deletion is permanent and lists what will be removed. Read it carefully. Tap Delete account again to confirm. You will be asked to enter your password one more time for security. After you do, the deletion process starts when ready, though your account stays visible for up to 30 days while the system removes all your data.

How to delete your account on a computer

Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right, then click Settings. On the left side, click Help, then click Delete account. The same warning screen appears. Choose a reason if you want to, then click Delete account again. Enter your password when prompted.

The process is identical to the phone version — deletion begins right away, and your account remains visible for up to 30 days. You do not need to do anything else. Instagram handles the removal automatically.

Deactivation: the temporary pause option

If you are not certain about permanent deletion, deactivate your account instead. This hides your profile, photos, and comments from other users, but Instagram keeps all your data. You can reactivate by logging back in anytime within a few months. After several months of inactivity, Instagram may delete a deactivated account, but you have a grace period.

To deactivate on a phone, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Deactivate or delete account > Deactivate account. On a computer, go to Settings > Account > Deactivate or delete account > Deactivate account. Choose a reason and enter your password. Your account disappears from Instagram when ready, but you can restore it by logging in again.

read your photos and data before you delete

Instagram lets you read a copy of everything on your account — all photos, videos, captions, and metadata. This is the only way to keep your content after deletion. On a phone, go to Settings and privacy > Account > read your information. On a computer, go to Settings > Account > read your information. Instagram will prepare a file and send it to your email within a few days.

The read includes your photos in their original quality, which is useful if you posted lower-resolution versions to Instagram. You get your captions, comments, and follower list too. This file is yours to keep and use however you want. Do this before you delete, because once the account is gone, you cannot retrieve this information from Instagram.

What happens to your username and tagged photos

Your username becomes unavailable for 30 days after deletion. You cannot create a new account with that same name during this period. After 30 days, the username opens up and anyone can claim it. If you want to preserve your username, create a new account with a different name before you delete the old one, then change the new account's username to your original name.

Photos that other people tagged you in remain on their accounts and in their posts. Deleting your account does not remove tags from other people's content. If you want those tags removed, you would need to contact those users directly and ask them to untag you before you delete. Comments you left on other people's posts also stay visible, though they will show as from a deleted account.

Business accounts and shared access

If you manage an Instagram Business account that other people have access to, you must remove all collaborators and transfer ownership before deletion. Go to Settings and privacy > Accounts and roles > Partners and remove each person listed. If someone else is the owner, ask them to transfer ownership to you first, or ask them to delete the account themselves.

Instagram will not let you delete a Business account while other people have active roles on it. This protects businesses from losing access to accounts unexpectedly. Make sure all collaborators know the account is being deleted, because once it is gone, they lose access too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my account back after I delete it?

You have 30 days to change your mind. Log back into Instagram with your username and password, and your account will reactivate. After 30 days, the account and all its content are permanently gone and cannot be recovered. Instagram does not restore deleted accounts after this window closes.

What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?

Deactivation hides your profile temporarily but keeps all your data. You can reactivate anytime by logging in. Deletion removes your account permanently after 30 days and cannot be undone. Choose deactivation if you might return; choose deletion if you are certain you want to leave.

Will deleting my Instagram account delete my Facebook account too?

No. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts even if you linked them. Deleting one does not affect the other. If you want to delete both, you must delete each account separately through its own settings.

Can I delete my account if I forgot my password?

You need your password to delete your account for security reasons. If you forgot it, use Instagram's password reset feature before you try to delete. Go to the login screen, tap Forgot password?, and follow the steps to reset it using your email or phone number.

What happens to my direct messages when I delete my account?

Your direct messages disappear from your inbox, but they remain in the inboxes of people you messaged. They will see your old messages but will not be able to message you back or see your profile. The messages stay visible to them as coming from a deleted account.