How to Delete or Deactivate an Instagram Account
Step-by-step instructions from Instagram’s Help Center, the difference between deactivating and deleting, and how to save your data first. Independent guide.
In short: to take a break, deactivate (Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion > Deactivate account); your profile is hidden until you log back in, and you can deactivate once a week. To leave for good, choose Delete account on the same screen. Instagram says your information is permanently deleted 30 days after the request, and full deletion can take up to 90 days. Download your data first; Instagram can’t delete an account for you.
Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
Deactivate or delete: which do you need?
Independent guide. Viral In City is an independent social media agency, not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Instagram or Meta. We can’t delete, deactivate or restore anyone’s account, and we will never ask for your password or login codes. Every step below comes from Instagram’s own Help Center, linked so you can check it. Meta is moving some people from Accounts Center to Meta Account settings, so menu names may differ slightly.
Instagram offers two very different options:
| Temporarily deactivate | Permanently delete | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Your profile, photos, comments and likes are hidden until you reactivate | Your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers are permanently removed |
| How to undo | Log back in | Only possible during the cancellation period (Instagram says this varies by region) |
| Limits | Only once a week | Permanent after 30 days; full deletion can take up to 90 days |
| Best for | Taking a break | Leaving Instagram for good |
From Instagram Help: Temporarily deactivate your Instagram profile and Permanently delete or deactivate your Instagram profile, checked 6 October 2026.
If you’re not sure, deactivate first. You can always delete later.
Before you do anything: three checks
- Make sure you can log in. Instagram says that for security reasons it can’t delete or deactivate an account for you; you need to be able to log in. If you can’t, start with our guide to Instagram login problems, or hacked account recovery if someone else took over the account.
- Download a copy of your information if you might want your photos, videos or messages later (see below). After deletion, Instagram says you can’t use its export tool.
- Check business connections. For a business or creator account, think about linked Facebook Pages, ads accounts, shops, partners with access and anywhere your Instagram link appears, such as your website or email signature.
How to download your Instagram data first
Instagram’s page Review and export a copy of your Instagram information gives these steps from Accounts Center (or Meta Account settings):
- Open More (or your profile menu), then Settings.
- Open Accounts Center or Meta Account, then Your information and permissions.
- Choose Export your information, then Create export.
- Select the profile, then choose Export to device or Export to external service.
- Choose what to include, the date range, format, notification email and media quality, then start the export.
Instagram says it may take up to 30 days to email you an export link, and once an export is ready you have 4 days to download it. Start the export well before you delete.
How to temporarily deactivate Instagram
From Instagram’s deactivation help page. You can do this from a computer, a mobile browser or the Instagram app:
- Log in to the account you want to deactivate.
- Open More (on a computer) or your profile menu (in the app), then Settings.
- Open Accounts Center, then Personal details.
- Choose Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion.
- Select the account, choose Deactivate account and follow the prompts to confirm.
If your Accounts Center shows Manage accounts at the bottom instead, Instagram’s page lists a slightly different route through Manage next to the profile. To reactivate, simply log back in. Remember that you can only deactivate once a week.
How to permanently delete Instagram
From Instagram’s deletion help page:
- Open More or your profile menu, then Settings.
- Open Accounts Center, then Personal details (under Account Settings).
- Choose Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose the account or profile you want to delete.
- Select Delete account, then Continue, and follow the instructions to confirm.
Again, if you see Manage accounts at the bottom of Accounts Center, use Profiles and personal details, then Manage next to the account type, then Deactivation or deletion.
What happens after you delete
Instagram’s deletion page explains the timeline:
- 30 days: after 30 days from your deletion request, your profile and all your information are permanently deleted and can’t be retrieved. During those 30 days the content isn’t accessible to other people on Instagram.
- Cancelling: Instagram notes that the number of days you can cancel a deletion varies by region. If you change your mind, act quickly and follow the prompts when you log in, and check Instagram Help for your region.
- Up to 90 days: the full deletion process can take up to 90 days after it begins. Copies may remain longer in backup storage used for disaster recovery, and Instagram may keep some information for legal issues, terms violations or harm prevention, as described in its Privacy Policy.
- Your username: after deletion you can sign up again with the same username, or add it to another profile, as long as nobody else has taken it. If a profile was removed for violating the Community Standards, you may not be able to reuse the username.
Business accounts: alternatives to deleting
For businesses, deleting an Instagram account often removes years of social proof, reviews in comments, tagged posts and links from other sites. Consider these first:
- Deactivate temporarily during a rebrand or pause.
- Archive old posts instead of deleting the whole account.
- Change the username and profile for a rebrand, rather than starting from zero.
- Remove access for former staff or agencies instead of closing the account. Our guide on account access explains how.
- Hand the account to someone else to run. If the problem is time, outsourcing may be cheaper than losing the audience.
If you are restarting, our guides on getting more Instagram followers and Instagram verification help you rebuild properly.
Troubleshooting: common problems
- I can’t find Deactivation or deletion. Update the app, or try instagram.com on a computer. Meta is moving some accounts to Meta Account settings, so look there if you don’t see Accounts Center.
- I forgot my password. You need to log in first. Reset it from the login screen; see our login problems guide.
- My account was hacked. Recover it before deciding anything; see our hacked account recovery guide.
- I deactivated it but want to deactivate again. Instagram says you can only deactivate once a week.
- I have several accounts. Make sure you select the right account in Accounts Center before confirming.
- Someone offers to delete or recover an account for a fee. Don’t pay and never share your login. Only the account owner can request deletion through Instagram’s official tools.
Checklist before deleting a business account
- Export your information and confirm the download works.
- Save contact details for customers and partners who message you on Instagram.
- Tell followers where to find you next, with a final post or Story, before deactivating or deleting.
- Remove the Instagram link from your website, Google Business Profile, email signature and other profiles.
- Check ads accounts, shops and any tools connected to the account.
- Remove access for staff and agencies.
- Write down the date you requested deletion, in case you need to change your mind within the cancellation period.
Keep your account and let us run it
If you are deleting Instagram because it takes too much time, we can run it for you instead: content, Reels, captions, replies and monthly reports. Start with a free social media audit or ask for a custom quote. If you prefer chat, message us on WhatsApp at +91 8827409728. See our Instagram management service.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can Instagram delete my account for me?
No. Instagram says that for security reasons it can’t delete an account for you; you need to be able to log in to request deletion.
How long does Instagram take to delete an account?
Instagram says your profile and information are permanently deleted 30 days after your request, and the full deletion process can take up to 90 days.
Can I recover a deleted Instagram account?
Only during the cancellation period, which Instagram says varies by region. After deletion is complete, the information can’t be retrieved.
How often can I deactivate Instagram?
Instagram says you can only deactivate your account once a week.
Will people see my profile while it is deactivated?
No. Instagram says your profile, photos, comments and likes are hidden until you reactivate by logging back in.
Can I use the same username after deleting my account?
Instagram says you can sign up again with the same username as long as it hasn’t been taken by someone else, unless the account was removed for violating the Community Standards.
Can Viral In City delete or recover my account?
No. We are independent of Instagram and can’t access, delete or restore accounts. Use the official steps above.
Should I deactivate or delete my business account?
If there is any chance you will return, deactivate or hand the account to someone else to run. Deletion permanently removes your followers and content once it is complete.
Too busy to run Instagram? Don’t delete it yet.
We can manage your Instagram for you: content, Reels, captions, replies and monthly reports. Get a free audit or a custom quote, or message us on WhatsApp.
Get a free audit and quote
Tell us about your business and the platform you want managed. We will reply with a free audit of one profile and a custom quote based on your goals.