The quickest 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, it appears in a dropdown under your profile picture. The logout happens when ready — you'll be sent back 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.
Key Takeaways
- Log out by tapping your profile icon, scrolling down, and selecting "Log out" — the process takes about 10 seconds on any device.
- On a computer, you may need to look in a dropdown menu or settings area rather than the main profile menu.
- Logging out on one device does not automatically log you out on other devices where you're signed in.
- If you forget your password after logging out, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it before you can sign back in.
- Logging out is different from deactivating or deleting your account — your account and all your posts remain intact.
Logging out on an iPhone or Android phone
Open the Instagram app and tap the profile icon at the bottom right of your screen (it looks like a person's head and shoulders). Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu that appears. You'll see "Log out" as the last option. Tap it, and Instagram will when ready sign you out and return you to the login screen.
If you're having trouble finding the profile icon, make sure you're looking at the bottom navigation bar. It should show five icons: Home, Search, Create, Reels, and Profile. The profile icon is the rightmost one. If the menu doesn't scroll far enough to show "Log out", try scrolling down again — sometimes the menu requires a longer scroll than expected.
Logging out on a computer or web browser
Go to Instagram.com and sign in if you're not already signed in. Look for your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. Click on it to open a dropdown menu. From that menu, select "Log out". You'll be returned to the Instagram login page.
On some browsers or older versions of Instagram's website, the profile menu might appear as a settings icon (three horizontal lines) instead of your picture. If you don't see a dropdown after clicking your profile picture, try clicking the three-line menu icon near it. The logout option should be in whichever menu appears.
What happens when you log out
When you log out, Instagram removes your login information from that specific device or browser. Your account itself is not affected — your posts, messages, followers, and all other account data remain exactly as they were. The next time you open Instagram on that device, you'll see the login screen and will need to enter your username (or email) and password to sign back in.
Logging out on one device does not sign you out on other devices. If you're logged into Instagram on your phone, your tablet, and your computer, logging out on your phone will not affect your tablet or computer. You'll need to log out separately on each device if you want to be signed out everywhere.
Logging out of all devices at once
If you want to log out of Instagram on every device where you're signed in, you can do this through your account settings. On your phone, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Settings and privacy", then "Account center", then "Password and security", and look for an option like "Where you're logged in" or "Active sessions". From there, you can select "Log out of all sessions" or similar wording.
On a computer, the path is similar: click your profile picture, go to Settings, find the security or login activity section, and look for an option to log out everywhere. This action will sign you out on all devices when ready, and you'll need to log back in on any device where you want to use Instagram again.
If you can't find the logout button
Make sure you're looking in the right place. On a phone, the logout option is always at the very bottom of your profile menu — you may need to scroll past Settings, Account center, Help, and other options to reach it. On a computer, it's in the dropdown menu under your profile picture in the top right corner.
If you're still not seeing it, try closing and reopening the app or refreshing the web page. Sometimes the menu doesn't load completely on the first try. If the app is very outdated, update it from your phone's app store — older versions sometimes have menu layouts that differ from current ones.
Logging out versus other account actions
Logging out is not the same as deactivating your account or deleting it. When you log out, you straightforward sign out of that device. Your account remains active, and anyone can still find your profile and see your posts (unless your account is private). Deactivating temporarily hides your profile but keeps your data. Deleting permanently removes your account and all its content after 30 days.
If you want to take a break from Instagram but keep your account, logging out is the simplest option. If you want to hide your profile from others temporarily, deactivate it. If you want to remove your account entirely, delete it. Each option serves a different purpose, and you can only do one at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to log out of Instagram regularly?
No. Logging out is only necessary if you're using a shared device, if you're concerned about account security, or if you want to stop receiving notifications. On your personal phone or computer, you can stay logged in indefinitely without any problems.
What if I forget my password after logging out?
On the Instagram login screen, tap or click "Forgot password?" Enter your username or email address, and Instagram will send you a link to reset your password. Check your email (including spam folders) for the reset link, click it, and create a new password.
Will logging out delete my messages or posts?
No. Logging out does not affect your account in any way. Your messages, posts, followers, and all other data remain on Instagram's servers. When you log back in, everything will be exactly as you left it.
Can someone else log into my account if I log out?
Only if they know your username and password. Logging out does not make your account more or less find. If you're concerned about unauthorized access, change your password after logging out, or enable two-factor authentication in your account settings.
How do I log out if I'm using Instagram through Facebook?
If you signed up for Instagram using your Facebook account, you can still log out the same way — tap your profile, scroll down, and select "Log out". You'll be signed out of Instagram but will remain signed into Facebook (or vice versa, depending on your settings).