How to delete an Instagram account permanently or deactivate it temporarily

It’s pretty easy to set up an Instagram account and the joy it brings while browsing the feed and reel is fantastic. But have you ever thought to delete your Instagram account permanently or deactivate your Instagram account temporarily? Well, doing so can be a task in itself. [हिंदी में पढ़ें]

So, we have prepared a detailed guide with steps to help you delete your Instagram account. This guide will tell you how you can delete your Instagram account permanently or deactivate it temporarily.

When one should deactivate their Instagram account? Well, if you are taking a temporary break, instead of deleting your Insta profile permanently, you can use the ‘deactivate Instagram account’ feature so you won’t lose your followers and posts.

However, before you decide to delete your account, it’s important to download all your Instagram data, including posts such as photos, reels, or videos. This will ensure that you have a backup of all your content in case you change your mind or want to switch to another platform in the future.

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How to delete your Instagram account permanently

Permanently deleting the Instagram account removes every detail from the app including profile, photos, videos, comments, and losing followers. The process is irreversible which means once the account is removed, you can retrieve it either way. 

Interestingly, Meta-owned Instagram doesn’t provide a direct option within the app to delete the account but it has embedded it within the Help Center page. No wonder, why. For this purpose, users need to go down the page and find the option. Well, here’s how to permanently delete your Instagram account.

1. Simply, go to “Delete your account page” on a mobile or PC browser.
2. The page will ask you to log in on the browser if aren’t already logged in.
3. It will ask you to select a reason from the drop-down menu why you want to delete your Instagram account. Also, it will provide some solutions for you if pick any of the concerns. Pick any of the reasons.
4. Re-enter the password to go forward.
5. Click on the button “Delete [username]” to permanently delete the Instagram account. 

Facebook-owned social media platform takes 30 days to process the Instagram account deletion request offering a period if you change your mind. For this period, your profile won’t be visible to others but you can still access it.

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How to download your Instagram pictures and videos?

Instagram offers a user-friendly option for downloading a copy of your profile information, ensuring that your cherished images and videos remain safe. Upon request, the platform promptly sends all the relevant details to your registered email, providing a reliable backup for your content.

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How to download Instagram data through the mobile app

1. Open the Instagram app and head to the profile page. 
2. Click on the three-line option in the right upper corner to open a menu. 
3. Click on the “Your Activity” option. 
4. Scroll down and tap on the “Download Your Information” option. 
5. You will be asked to provide an email ID if you haven’t already linked one. Click on the “Request Download” button.
6. Enter your Instagram password and follow the instructions to download the data.

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How to download Instagram data through the web browser on a PC

1. Open Instagram.com on a PC browser. 
2. Tap on your profile image to go to the profile page. 
3. Click on the “Settings” icon to open the menu. 
4. Head to the “Privacy and Security” option. 
5. Scroll down to find “Data Download” and tap on the “Request Download” option.
6. Provide a valid email address and choose the format you want to get your data from two options – HTML or JSON.
7. Enter your Instagram account password and tap on the “Request Download” button to submit the request.

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How to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily?

Do you know that Instagram lets you temporarily disable your account for any period of time of your own choice? Yes, the Facebook subsidiary gives you the freedom to remove the account from Instagram such that no one could see your profile on the platform. This feature hides your photos, videos, likes, and comments from social media. Though, you can temporarily deactivate and reactivate your Instagram account only through a web browser either on a PC or a mobile.

Follow the below instructions to temporarily disable an Instagram account:

1. Sign in to Instagram on a mobile or computer browser. 
2. Click on the profile image and tap on the “Settings” option.
3. It will open the “Edit profile” page. Scroll to the bottom to find the “Temporarily deactivate my account” option. Click on it.
4. It will ask you to select a reason why you want to disable your Instagram account. Pick of the provided options.
5. Enter your password and hit “Temporarily Deactivate Account” to disable the profile.

If you want to reactivate your disabled Instagram account, all you have to do is just login back into the platform at any time in future. 

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FAQs

Q- What has to be done to delete your Instagram account?

To delete your Instagram account, you have to log into your account and request account deletion.

Q- Deactivate Instagram account and Delete Instagram account are the same thing?

Ans– No, both are completely different things. Deactivating the account means you can resume the access anytime but deleting the account means once 30 days are over, you can’t access the same account instead you have to make a new Instagram account.

Q- How long does it take for an Instagram account to get deleted?

Instagram accounts are not deleted instantly. They are first deactivated for 30 days after the deletion request. This is a period wherein users can reactivate if they want to. After the period is over, the account starts getting deleted.

Q- What happens to Instagram data after account deletion?

Ans– Instagram can take up to 90 days or more to completely delete the account. The data can be stored on Instagram for an even longer time to cater to any legal issue. You can get more information on this by going to Meta’s Privacy Policy.

Q- How to delete an Instagram account without a password?

Ans– It is not possible to delete or deactivate an Instagram account without providing a valid password. In case, if you have forgotten your password you should first reset it to proceed. 

Q- Do I need to delete an Instagram account if my profile has been hacked?

Ans– No, it is not necessary to permanently delete the account. Rather you can change your password and activate two-factor authentication for better security.

Q- Will one’s followers know if they delete their Instagram account?

When the account is deactivated, your profile will get disabled and won’t be visible to anyone. If the account gets deleted, information will be permanently removed.