If you’ve decided to delete Instagram, whether because you’ve outgrown the need for a specific finsta or because its parent company Meta is courting controversy yet again, the process isn’t as simple as straightforward as it should be.
It couldn’t even be done from within the Instagram app until recently.
If you want to make an obligatory “I’m deleting Instagram” post, go ahead and do so.
After that, there are two options available to you.
Deleting Instagram using the iOS or Android App
The easiest way, of course, would be through the Instagram app on your phone, though currently, the option isn’t available for everyone. To check if it is, go to your profile, tap the hamburger menu in the top right, and select Settings. Then go to Account, and scroll down to the bottom of the menu. You may see a “Delete Account” button under the “Branded Content” button.
If you have it, tapping on it will bring up a menu asking if you want to delete or disable your account — you can read more about those other options in the “Temporarily suspending your Instagram account” section of this how-to. Pressing the “Delete account” button will bring up a message saying that you can stop the deletion process by a certain date if you log back in. Tap the red “Continue deleting account button,” and the app will walk you through the rest of the process.
If you don’t have the “Delete Account” option, you can try it on the web, as follows.
When you click the “Delete account” option, you’ll see a notification suggesting that if you log back in by a specific date, you can stop the deletion process.
The software will lead you through the rest of the procedure if you tap the red “Continue deleting account button.”
If you don’t have access to the “Delete Account” option, you can attempt the following method on the web.
Instagram is being deleted from the internet.
If you can’t remove your account using the app, you’ll have to follow these instructions, which can be done on a computer or a phone as long as you’re using a browser.
To begin, go to Instagram’s dedicated account removal request page, which may be accessed here or by following the link in the account deletion assistance article.
You’ll have to input your credentials if you’re not already logged into Instagram for the web (which most users aren’t).
In fact, you’ll almost certainly have to enter your password again during the deletion process, so now is a good opportunity to double-check that you know what it is.
You should be directed to a screen with the old Instagram logo and a dropdown box asking why you wish to cancel your account.
Depending on the option you select, you may be presented with a variety of links to Instagram’s support center promising to resolve your problems or a message urging you to double-check which account you’re deleting.
Whatever option you select, a popup will appear below the links asking you to reenter your password.
After that, indicate that you’re sure by tapping or clicking the “Delete (your account name)” button.
Your data will not be destroyed immediately, as Instagram states several times on the account deactivation page – Meta will store it for 30 days.
Your profile and posts, however, will be concealed from view on the site.
If you’re ending your Instagram relationship, don’t forget to delete the app from your phone as well.
This will save you some space while also putting some friction between you and signing up for the service again.
How to Recover an Instagram Account that Has Been Deleted
If it’s been more than 30 days since you asked Instagram to erase your account, you won’t be able to get it back.
You’ll have to register a new account (your username will be available when your account is canceled, but it’s likely that someone else has already grabbed it).
If you’re within that 30-day window, you can reclaim your account, including all of your posts and DMs.
Simply return to Instagram and log in using your username and password.
You’ll notice a message stating that you’ve asked for your account to be erased, as well as the date when your data will be destroyed.
Simply press the “Keep Account” button to prevent this from happening.
Suspending your Instagram account for the time being
You can suspend your account instead of completely deleting all of your photos and messages if you wish to hide your account from the public eye.
Meta forces you to use the online version of Instagram rather than the app once again, but at least you won’t have to rely on a link from a support page.
Go to your profile and click the Edit Profile button after logging into Instagram.com (if you’re using a mobile browser, you’ll have to hit the settings cog to obtain the option).
Go to “Edit Profile”> “Temporarily disable my account” (it’ll be at the bottom of the page).
You’ll have to choose a reason for suspending your account and enter your password, just as when you delete it.
Simply log back in using the app or the website to re-enable your account.
You’ll only be able to suspend your account for a week, so if you accidently log back in, your postings will be available to followers again, if only for a short time.
