The fastest way to log out of Instagram
To log out of Instagram, open the app or website, tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner, scroll to the bottom of your profile menu, and tap or click "Log out". On a phone, you'll see this option at the very bottom of the menu. On a computer browser, it appears in the same menu under your username. The logout happens when ready — you'll be returned to the login screen.
If you're using Instagram on a web browser and the logout button doesn't appear where expected, look for a settings icon (usually three horizontal lines or a gear symbol) near your profile picture. The logout option is often grouped with account settings rather than in the main profile menu on desktop.
Instagram will keep you logged out until you sign back in with your username and password, or until someone else logs in on that device. Your account itself remains active — logging out just disconnects that particular device from your account.
Key Takeaways
- Tap your profile icon, scroll down, and select "Log out" from the menu on both the Instagram app and website.
- Logging out removes your account from that device but does not delete your account or change your password.
- If you're on a shared device, logging out prevents the next person from accessing your account without your password.
- You can be logged into Instagram on multiple devices at the same time, and logging out on one device does not affect the others.
- If you forget to log out on a public or shared computer, you can remotely log out all sessions from your account settings on any other device.
Logging out on the Instagram mobile app
Open Instagram and tap the profile icon — it looks like a person's head and shoulders — in the bottom right corner of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Scroll all the way down past your posts and saved items until you see a menu with options like "Settings and privacy", "Help", and "Log out".
Tap "Log out" at the bottom of this menu. A confirmation message may appear asking if you're sure. Tap "Log out" again to confirm. You'll be taken back to the login screen, and your account will no longer be active on that phone or tablet.
If you have multiple Instagram accounts on the same phone, you'll see all of them listed on the login screen after you log out. You can tap any account name to log back in, or enter a different username and password to switch accounts.
Logging out on Instagram's website
Go to Instagram.com in your web browser and make sure you're logged in. Click your profile picture or avatar in the top right corner of the page. A dropdown menu will appear with your username and several options.
Scroll down in this menu until you see "Log out". Click it, and you'll be logged out when ready. The page will redirect to the Instagram login screen. Your account information is not deleted — you're straightforward disconnected from that browser on that computer.
If you're using Instagram on a shared computer, logging out is especially important because it prevents the next person from accessing your account, messages, or saved information without your password.
What happens when you log out
When you log out, Instagram removes your account from that device. You won't receive notifications, see your feed, or access your messages until you log back in. Your account itself is not affected — your posts, followers, messages, and settings all remain exactly as they were.
Logging out does not change your password, delete your account, or remove your data from Instagram's servers. It only disconnects that specific device from your account. If you log back in on the same device later, everything will be there unchanged.
You can be logged into Instagram on multiple devices at the same time. Logging out on your phone does not log you out on your computer, tablet, or any other device. Each device maintains its own separate login session.
Logging out of all devices at once
If you want to log out of Instagram on every device where you're currently logged in, you can do this from your account settings. Open Instagram on any device where you're logged in, go to your profile, tap "Settings and privacy", then tap "Account center" or "Settings".
Look for an option called "Your login activity", "Sessions", or "Where you're logged in". This shows every device currently logged into your account. You can tap each device and select "Log out" to disconnect it, or use an option like "Log out of all sessions" if available. After you do this, you'll need to log back in on any device you want to use Instagram on.
This is useful if you've lost a phone, used a public computer, or suspect someone else has access to your account. Logging out everywhere forces anyone using your account to enter your password again.
If you can't find the logout button
On the Instagram app, make sure you've scrolled all the way to the bottom of your profile menu. The logout button is always at the very bottom, below all other options. If you're still not seeing it, try closing the app completely and opening it again.
On a web browser, if the dropdown menu under your profile picture doesn't show a logout option, look for a settings icon (three horizontal lines or a gear) elsewhere on the page. Some browsers or older versions of Instagram place this in a different location. You can also try logging out by going directly to Instagram.com/accounts/logout/ in your browser's address bar.
If you're using Instagram through a third-party app or a social media management tool, the logout process may be different. Those apps have their own login and logout buttons that are separate from Instagram itself.
Logging out versus deleting your account
Logging out and deleting your account are two completely different actions. Logging out straightforward disconnects you from Instagram on that device — your account still exists and is active. Deleting your account permanently removes it from Instagram after 30 days, and all your posts, followers, and messages are erased.
If you only want to take a break from Instagram without losing your account, log out instead of deleting. If you want to stop using Instagram permanently and remove all your data, you would need to go through the account deletion process, which is found in your account settings under "Delete account".
Most people log out when they're switching devices, using a shared computer, or straightforward stepping away for a while. You should only delete your account if you're certain you won't want to use Instagram again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will logging out delete my photos or messages?
No. Logging out only disconnects your account from that device. All your photos, messages, followers, and account settings remain on Instagram's servers and will be there when you log back in.
Can I log out of Instagram on my phone but stay logged in on my computer?
Yes. Each device has its own separate login session. Logging out on your phone does not affect your computer, tablet, or any other device. You can be logged in on multiple devices at the same time.
What should I do if I logged out on a public computer and forgot to log back out?
You can log out of all devices at once from your account settings. Go to your profile, find "Your login activity" or "Sessions", and select the option to log out everywhere. Then log back in on your personal device.
Does logging out of Instagram log me out of Facebook too?
No. Instagram and Facebook are separate logins, even though they're owned by the same company. Logging out of one does not log you out of the other. You must log out of each platform separately.
How do I know if I'm actually logged out?
When you're logged out, you'll see the Instagram login screen asking for your username and password. You won't be able to see your feed, profile, or messages until you log back in. If you see your profile and feed, you're still logged in.