Instagram gives you two ways to remove your account, and they work very differently
You can either deactivate your account temporarily or delete it permanently. Deactivation hides your profile, posts, and comments for as long as you want — you can reactivate by logging back in. Deletion is permanent: after 30 days, Instagram removes your account, posts, photos, comments, and messages from their servers. You cannot undo a deletion after those 30 days pass.
Most people should deactivate first if they are unsure. Deletion is the right choice only if you are certain you will not want the account back, because Instagram will not restore it once the 30-day window closes.
Key Takeaways
- Deactivation hides your account but keeps it recoverable — you can reactivate anytime by logging in, and your data stays on Instagram's servers.
- Deletion is permanent after 30 days — once that window closes, Instagram removes your account, all posts, photos, comments, and messages forever.
- To deactivate, go to Settings and Privacy, select Account, then choose Deactivate Account and pick a reason.
- To delete permanently, visit Instagram's Delete Account page on a computer or browser, enter your password, and confirm — you then have 30 days to change your mind by logging back in.
- Instagram keeps some data even after deletion, including information shared with other users and content you posted to other people's accounts.
How to deactivate your account temporarily
Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right on mobile, or click the menu icon in the top right on desktop. Select Settings and Privacy, then tap Account. Scroll down and tap Deactivate Account.
Instagram will ask you to pick a reason from a list — this is optional information for their records and does not affect the deactivation. Enter your password to confirm, then tap Deactivate Account again. Your profile, posts, photos, and comments disappear when ready, but Instagram keeps all your data. You can reactivate by logging in with your username and password anytime, and everything returns exactly as it was.
How to permanently delete your account
Deletion requires a computer or mobile browser — you cannot delete through the Instagram app. Go to instagram.com/accounts/remove/delete-account/ in your browser and log in if you are not already. Instagram will show you information about what happens when you delete, including that the deletion is permanent after 30 days.
Enter your password and tap Permanently Delete Account. Your account, profile picture, bio, posts, stories, reels, and comments are removed when ready and become invisible to other users. You have 30 days to change your mind — log back in during this window and your account will be restored. After 30 days, Instagram permanently removes all your data from their servers.
What happens to your posts, messages, and photos
When you deactivate, your posts and photos stay on Instagram's servers but are hidden from public view. No one can see your profile, posts, or comments. If you reactivate, everything returns. When you delete, Instagram removes your posts, photos, stories, and reels from their public systems after the 30-day window closes.
Messages are handled differently. During deactivation, your direct messages stay in other people's inboxes, but they cannot see your profile or reply. After deletion, your messages remain in other users' conversations — Instagram does not remove messages from the recipient's side. Comments you left on other people's posts also stay visible, though they will show as posted by a deleted account rather than your name.
Data Instagram keeps even after deletion
Instagram retains some information even after your account is permanently deleted. This includes messages you sent to other users (they remain in their inboxes), comments you posted on other accounts' content, and any information you shared with third-party apps that were connected to your account. If you tagged yourself in photos on other people's accounts, those tags remain.
Instagram also keeps records for legal reasons, including data needed for law enforcement requests and information related to payments or transactions. If you want to know exactly what data Instagram has about you before you delete, you can read your information through Settings and Privacy — select read Your Information and follow the steps to receive a copy of what they store.
If you change your mind during the 30-day window
You have 30 days from the moment you request deletion to undo it. straightforward log into Instagram with your username and password during this period, and your account will be restored with all posts, photos, comments, and followers intact. After the 30 days pass, you cannot recover the account — Instagram will not restore it under any circumstances.
If you forget your password during the 30-day window, use the "Forgot Password" option on the login screen to reset it, then log in to restore your account. Once you are logged in, your account is no longer scheduled for deletion.
Removing Instagram from connected apps and devices
Before you delete or deactivate, check what apps and devices have access to your account. Go to Settings and Privacy, select Apps and Websites, and review what is connected. Remove any apps you no longer use or trust. This prevents those apps from trying to access your account after deletion.
Also check Active Sessions under Settings and Privacy to see what devices are logged into your account. If you see unfamiliar devices, tap them and select Log Out. This ensures no one else can access your account during the 30-day deletion window or after reactivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else use my username after I delete my account?
Not when ready. Instagram reserves your username for 30 days after deletion. After that period, the username becomes available for anyone to claim. If you want to keep your username, you must reactivate during the 30-day window.
Will my followers be notified that I deleted my account?
No. Your followers will straightforward see that your profile no longer exists when they try to visit it. They will not receive a notification about the deletion. If you deactivate instead, your profile disappears but followers are not notified of that either.
What happens to photos I was tagged in on other people's accounts?
The photos stay on those accounts. Your name will no longer appear in the tag, but the photo itself remains. The person who posted it can still see that you were tagged, but other users will not see your name attached to it.
Can I delete my account on the Instagram app?
You can deactivate through the app, but deletion must be done through a web browser. Go to instagram.com/accounts/remove/delete-account/ on your phone's browser or computer to permanently delete your account.
If I delete my account, will my Instagram Direct Messages disappear from other people's chats?
No. Your messages will remain in other people's inboxes and conversations. They will see the messages came from a deleted account, but the messages themselves stay there. The other person can still read and reference them.