Instagram deletion is permanent and takes 30 days to complete

When you delete your Instagram account, Meta gives you 30 days to change your mind. During those 30 days, your account is hidden but not gone — you can log back in and cancel the deletion. After 30 days, Instagram permanently removes your profile, photos, comments, likes, and follower list. The account name becomes available for someone else to use.

This is different from deactivating, which temporarily hides your account but keeps all your data intact. Deactivation is reversible at any time. Deletion is not.

Key Takeaways

  • Permanent deletion takes 30 days from the moment you request it, and you can cancel during that window by logging back in.
  • You must delete through Instagram's website or app settings — there is no other official way, and third-party services cannot delete your account.
  • Instagram keeps some data even after deletion, including messages you sent to others and content you posted in group chats.
  • Before you delete, read your photos and data if you want to keep copies, because Instagram will not send them to you after the account is gone.
  • If you only want to step back temporarily, deactivation hides your account without erasing anything, and you can reactivate whenever you log in again.

How to request permanent deletion on the Instagram app

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. Tap Account. Tap Delete account. Instagram will ask you why you are leaving — you can select a reason or skip this step. Tap Delete account again to confirm.

Instagram will ask you to enter your password one more time to verify it is really you. After you do, the app will show a message saying your account will be deleted in 30 days. You will be logged out when ready.

How to request permanent deletion on Instagram's website

Go to instagram.com and log in if you are not already. Click your profile picture in the top right corner. Click Settings. On the left side, click How you use Instagram. Click Account. Click Delete account. Instagram will show you a page explaining what happens when you delete. Click the link that says Delete your account (it is near the bottom).

You will be taken to a form that asks why you are deleting. Fill in your password and click Permanently delete account. Instagram will log you out and show a confirmation that your account will be deleted in 30 days.

What happens during the 30-day waiting period

Your profile is hidden from other users — they cannot find you by searching, see your posts, or view your follower list. However, your account still exists on Instagram's servers. If you log back in during these 30 days using your email and password, the deletion request is cancelled and your account returns to normal. Nothing is lost.

After 30 days pass without you logging in, Instagram permanently removes your account. Your username becomes available for someone else to register. Your photos, captions, and comments are deleted. Your follower and following lists are erased.

Data Instagram keeps even after you delete

Instagram does not delete everything. Messages you sent to other people remain in their inboxes. If you posted photos or comments in group chats, those stay visible to the other members. Instagram also keeps some information for legal and safety reasons — they may retain logs of your activity, IP addresses, and reports you made about other accounts.

If you want to remove individual messages before deleting your account, you can unsend them. Open a direct message conversation, long-press the message you want to remove, and tap Unsend. The other person will see that you unsent it, but the message will be gone from both inboxes.

read your data before deletion

Before you request deletion, you can read a copy of your photos, videos, captions, and some other data. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account, then read your information. Instagram will prepare a file with your data and send you a read link by email — this usually takes a few hours but can take up to a few days.

The read includes your profile information, photos, videos, stories, captions, and some metadata. It does not include messages, but you can screenshot those yourself if you want to keep them. Once your account is deleted, Instagram will not send you this data, so read it now if you think you might want it later.

Deactivation as an alternative to deletion

If you are not sure you want to leave Instagram permanently, deactivation is a better choice. When you deactivate, your profile disappears from search results and other users cannot see your posts or follower list. Your account is hidden but not deleted. All your data stays on Instagram's servers.

You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in with your email and password. Your profile, photos, followers, and messages will all return exactly as they were. There is no time limit on deactivation — you can stay deactivated for months or years and still come back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Instagram account if I forgot my password?

No, you need your password to confirm the deletion request. Go to the Instagram login page and click Forgot password? to reset it. Enter your email or username, and Instagram will send you a link to create a new password. Once you have reset it, you can log in and request deletion.

What if I want to delete my account but keep my username for later?

You cannot reserve your username after deletion. Once the 30-day period ends, your username becomes available for anyone to register. If you think you might come back, deactivate instead of deleting — your username stays reserved as long as your account exists, even if it is deactivated.

Will deleting Instagram 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 need to request deletion for each account separately through its own settings.

Can I delete my account if someone else has access to it?

If you think someone else is using your account, change your password when ready before requesting deletion. Go to Settings and privacy, then Password and security, then Password. Enter your current password and create a new one. After you change it, log out of all sessions, then request deletion.

What happens to photos I posted that other people shared?

When you delete your account, your original photos are removed from your profile. However, if someone else reposted your photo or saved a screenshot, that copy stays on their account. You cannot control what other people have already saved or shared.