How to Delete Your Instagram Account: A Step-by-Step Guide
Social media platforms have become integral to our lives in today’s digital age. While social media has advantages, it can also hurt our mental health and privacy. If you want to take a break from social media or delete your Instagram account permanently, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of deleting your Instagram account, including how to do it on mobile devices, what happens when you deactivate it, and how to delete it temporarily or permanently.
How Can I Delete My Instagram Account Permanently?
Deleting your Instagram account permanently is a straightforward process. Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Log in to your Instagram account in your web browser.
- Go to the Instagram account deletion page.
- Select the reason for deleting your account from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your password and click on ‘Permanently delete my account.’
It’s important to note that once you delete your account permanently, all your photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers will be permanently deleted. There’s no way to recover them once they’re gone. So, before you delete your account, ensure you’ve saved all your important photos and videos.
How Do I Delete My Instagram Account on Mobile?
It is just as simple to delete your account if you prefer using the Instagram app on your mobile device. Here’s how:
Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
- Go to your profile page by tapping your picture in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the three lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
- Tap on ‘Settings’ at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap on ‘Help’.
- Tap on ‘Help Center.’
- Tap on ‘Managing Your Account’.
- Tap on ‘Delete Your Account’.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your password when prompted.
Why Can’t I Delete My Instagram Account?
If you’re having trouble deleting your Instagram account, there could be a few reasons. Here are some common issues and solutions:
You’re trying to delete your account from the Instagram app on an iOS device. If so, try deleting your account from a web browser instead.
You’re trying to delete your account while you’re logged in on multiple devices. Ensure you’re logged out of Instagram on all your devices before trying to delete your account.
You’ve recently changed your Instagram password. If so, you must wait a few hours before deleting your account.
How Can I Delete My Account Temporarily?
If you’re not ready to delete your account permanently but want to take a break from Instagram, you can deactivate your account temporarily. Here’s how:
- Log in to your Instagram account in your web browser.
- Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Click on ‘Edit Profile’.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on ‘Temporarily disable my account.’
- Select a reason for disabling your account from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your password and click on ‘Temporarily Disable Account’.
When you deactivate your account, your profile, photos, comments, and likes will be hidden from other users. However, they will be restored when you reactivate your account. To reactivate your account, log in with your username and password.
How Can I Delete My Social Media Account?
Deleting your social media account will vary depending on your platform. However, the process is generally similar to deleting your Instagram account. Here are some common steps you can follow to delete your social media account:
- Log in to your social media account on your web browser or app.
- Look for the account deletion or deactivation page.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to delete your account.
- If prompted, enter your password and select a reason for deleting your account.
- It’s important to note that deleting your social media account is permanent and cannot be undone. Ensure you’ve saved any critical data or information before deleting your account.
How to Delete Your Instagram Account Without a Password
You can still use your email address if you’ve forgotten your Instagram password and want to delete your account. Here’s how:
- Go to the Instagram login page.
- Click on ‘Forgot password?’.
- Enter the email address associated with your account.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
- Once you’ve reset your password, follow the steps to delete your Instagram account permanently or temporarily.
How to Delete Your Instagram Account on Android
Deleting your Instagram account on an Android device is similar to deleting it on an iOS device. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram app on your Android device.
- Go to your profile page by tapping your picture in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
- Tap on ‘Settings’ at the bottom of the menu.
- Tap on ‘Help’.
- Tap on ‘Help Center.’
- Tap on ‘Managing Your Account’.
- Tap on ‘Delete Your Account’.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and enter your password when prompted.
How to Delete Your Instagram Account That Was Hacked
If your Instagram account was hacked and you want to delete it, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to secure your account. Here’s what you should do:
- Change your password immediately.
- Report the hack to Instagram by going to the ‘Help’ section in the app or website.
- Follow the steps to recover your account and secure it.
- Once you’ve secured your account, follow the steps to delete your Instagram account permanently or temporarily.
How to Recover My Deleted Instagram Account
If you have deleted your Instagram account permanently, you won’t be able to recover it. Once the account is deleted, it’s gone forever and cannot be restored.
However, if you have deactivated your Instagram account temporarily and want to reactivate it, you can do so by logging back into the account. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram app or go to the Instagram website.
- Enter your Instagram username and password.
- Click on ‘Log In’.
- Your account should be reactivated, and you should be able to access all your photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers.
If you don’t remember your Instagram password, you can reset it by clicking on ‘Forgot password?’ on the login page and following the on-screen instructions to reset your password.
Suppose you’ve lost access to your Instagram account’s email address or phone number. In that case, you can try to recover your account by following the steps outlined in the Instagram Help Center. You may be asked to provide additional information, such as a government-issued ID, to confirm your identity and regain access to your account.
Conclusion:
Deleting your Instagram account can be a good decision if you want to take a break from social media or want to protect your privacy. Ensure you save important data or information before permanently deleting your account. If you’re not ready to delete your account permanently, you can always deactivate it temporarily until you’re ready to come back.
It’s important to note that recovering a deleted or hacked Instagram account can be complex and lengthy. To avoid losing your account, keep your login credentials secure, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly back up your photos and videos.
FAQs
Can I recover my Instagram account after I delete it?
No, once you delete your Instagram account permanently, it cannot be recovered.
Will deleting my Instagram account delete my photos and videos?
Yes, deleting your Instagram account permanently will delete all your photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers.
Can I delete my Instagram account from the app?
Yes, you can delete your Instagram account from the app on your mobile device.
Can I delete my Instagram account without logging in?
No, you must log in to your Instagram account to delete it.
How long does it take to delete my Instagram account?
It can take up to 90 days for your Instagram account to be entirely deleted from the system.