Instagram gives you two ways out: deactivate temporarily or delete permanently
If you want to step away from Instagram but might come back, you can deactivate your account. Your profile, photos, and messages disappear from public view, but Instagram keeps everything. You can reactivate by logging back in within 30 days.
If you want to leave for good, you can delete your account permanently. After 30 days, Instagram erases your photos, comments, likes, and messages. You cannot undo this. You cannot reactivate the account or recover the content.
Most people who think they want to cancel actually want to deactivate — they just want a break. Know which one you need before you start, because the steps are different and the consequences are not the same.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account for up to 30 days and can be reversed by logging back in; deletion is permanent after 30 days and cannot be undone.
- You must use a web browser to delete your account — the Instagram app does not have a delete option, only deactivate.
- Instagram will ask you why you are leaving and may offer you options to stay; these are optional and do not change the process.
- If you share a Facebook account with Instagram, deleting Instagram does not delete your Facebook account, but the two are linked and changes to one affect the other.
- After you delete, Instagram keeps your data for 30 days before erasing it; during this time, you cannot recover your account by logging back in.
How to deactivate your account temporarily
Open Instagram on your phone or computer. Go to your profile by tapping or clicking your photo icon in the bottom right. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then tap Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Deactivate or Delete Account. Choose Deactivate Account.
Instagram will ask you to enter your password to confirm. It will also ask why you are deactivating and may suggest ways to use Instagram less — muting notifications, limiting time, or taking a break. You do not have to answer these questions. Just scroll past them and tap Deactivate.
Your account is now hidden. Your username, profile photo, and bio will not appear in searches or on other people's profiles. Your posts and messages are not visible. If you log back in within 30 days, everything comes back exactly as it was.
How to permanently delete your account
Go to Instagram.com on a web browser — not the app. Log in if you are not already logged in. Go to your profile and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then tap Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Deactivate or Delete Account. Choose Delete Account.
Instagram will show you a message explaining that deletion is permanent and that your data will be erased after 30 days. It will ask you to enter your password. It will also ask why you are leaving and may suggest alternatives. You do not have to engage with these questions — just enter your password and tap Delete Account.
Your account is now scheduled for deletion. For the next 30 days, your profile is hidden but still exists on Instagram's servers. If you change your mind and log back in during this window, your account will be restored and the deletion will be cancelled. After 30 days, Instagram permanently erases your photos, videos, comments, messages, and all other content. You cannot recover it.
What happens to your data during the 30-day window
During the 30 days after you request deletion, your account is invisible to other users. People cannot find your profile, see your posts, or message you. However, Instagram still has your data on its servers.
If you log back in during this period using your email and password, your account will be restored when ready. Everything will be exactly as you left it — your photos, followers, messages, and settings. The deletion request will be cancelled.
After 30 days, Instagram permanently deletes your content from its active servers. Some data may remain in backups for a longer period, but you will not be able to recover your account or see your content. Instagram does not provide a way to read your photos or messages after you request deletion, so if you want to keep anything, save it before you delete.
How to save your photos and messages before deleting
If you want to keep copies of your photos, videos, or messages, read them before you delete your account. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, tap Settings and Privacy, then tap read Your Information. Instagram will prepare a file of your photos, videos, captions, and some metadata.
This read does not include your direct messages. Instagram does not offer a way to read messages. If you need to save conversations, take screenshots or use your phone's screen recording feature before you delete.
The read file may take a few hours or days to prepare, depending on how much content you have. Instagram will send you an email when it is ready. You can then read it to your computer and store it however you want.
What happens if your Instagram is linked to Facebook
If you created your Instagram account using Facebook or linked the two accounts together, deleting Instagram does not delete your Facebook account. The two are separate, even though they are owned by the same company (Meta).
However, if you delete Instagram, you will no longer be able to log into Instagram using your Facebook login. You will also lose any features that depend on the link, such as cross-posting to Facebook or using Facebook data to target ads.
If you want to delete both accounts, you must delete them separately. Deleting Instagram first does not affect Facebook, and deleting Facebook does not affect Instagram. Each deletion is independent.
What to do if you cannot access your account
If you forgot your password or cannot log in, you cannot delete your account through the normal process. Go to Instagram.com and tap Forgot Password. Enter your email or username, and Instagram will send you a password reset link. Check your email (including spam folders) and follow the link to create a new password.
Once you can log in again, follow the deletion steps above. If you do not have access to the email address associated with your account, you will need to contact Instagram through their Help Center. Go to Instagram.com/help, tap Report a Problem, and explain that you cannot access your account. Instagram's support team can verify your identity and help you delete it, though this process may take longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else see my account during the 30-day deletion period?
No. Your profile, posts, and messages are hidden from everyone during the 30 days after you request deletion. Other users cannot find you, see your content, or message you. Only you can see your account if you log back in.
Will deleting Instagram delete my Facebook account too?
No. Instagram and Facebook are separate accounts, even if they are linked. Deleting one does not delete the other. If you want to delete both, you must delete them separately through each platform.
Can I use the same email address for a new Instagram account after I delete?
Yes, but not when ready. You must wait until after the 30-day deletion period is complete. Once Instagram has permanently erased your old account, you can sign up for a new account using the same email address.
What if I deactivate but then want to delete instead?
You can switch from deactivation to deletion at any time. Log back in, go to your profile, tap the menu, tap Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Deactivate or Delete Account. Choose Delete Account instead. The 30-day deletion period will start from that moment.
Does Instagram keep my photos after the 30 days?
Instagram deletes your photos, videos, captions, and most associated data after 30 days. Some information may remain in backup systems for longer, but you will not be able to access or recover it. If you want to keep your photos, read them before you delete your account.