How To Delete An Instagram Account Permanently (2023)
Deleting your Instagram presence is pretty simple. Within a few steps, you can permanently remove your account from this social media platform. However, it’s super important to note that once the deletion process begins, all your videos, photos, comments, and others will be permanently removed from the platform.
You still want to delete your account? If so, it’s time to check out our step-by-step instructions on how to delete an Instagram account permanently; simply scroll down to learn the details now!
Download a copy of your data and information from Instagram (Optional)
Before jumping into details on how to delete an Instagram account, let’s see how to download a copy of your Instagram data and information, such as your videos, photos, posts, and more.
As you can guess, it’s totally impossible to access Instagram’s Data Download tool after you deleted your account, so it’s a good idea to have a copy of your information. Of course, it’s optional, so if you don’t want a copy of your Instagram data and information, simply scroll to the next section of this article.
Here’s how to download your Instagram data:
On the Instagram mobile app
Step 1. Open the app on your mobile device. Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2. Tap the three-horizontal-line button in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 3. Next, select Your activity.
Step 4. On the next screen, scroll to the "Information you shared with Instagram" section and tap "Download your information."
Step 5. Tap "Request a download" and then follow on-screen instructions to submit the request.
On computer
Step 1. Go to https://www.instagram.com and log into your account.
Step 2. Click the More button in the bottom left of the screen and select "Your Activity."
Step 3. Next, click "Download your information."
Step 4. Now, enter your email address where you want to receive the link to download your Instagram data.
Step 5. Select the format you want to receive your Instagram data in (HTML or JSON) and click "Next."
Step 6. Enter your password and click "Request download."
When you receive an email from Instagram titled Your Instagram Data, open it, click Download Data, and follow the instructions to download your data.
How to Delete An Instagram Account Permanently
You can delete your Instagram account from your desktop computer and the mobile app, and here’s how:
On the Instagram mobile app
Follow the below steps to delete your Instagram account from Accounts Center:
Step 1. Open the Instagram app on your iOS or Android mobile device.
Step 2. Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3. Tap the three-horizontal-line button in the top-right corner of the screen. In the menu that appears, tap "Settings and privacy."
Step 4. Tap "Accounts Center."
Step 5. On the next screen, under the "Account settings" section, select "Personal details."
Step 6. Select "Account ownership and control," and then tap "Deactivation or deletion."
Step 7. Tap the Instagram account you want to delete permanently.
Step 8. Select the "Delete account" option and tap the "Continue" button.
Note: If you just want to take a break from the Instagram platform, select the "Deactivate account" option instead. This way, you’ll temporarily deactivate your account instead of deleting it forever.
(Deactivating your account simply means your Instagram profile will be hidden on the platform until you want to reactivate it.)
Step 9. Let Instagram know why you want to delete your account and tap Continue.
Step 10. Enter your password to confirm it’s you.
Step 11. Tap the "Delete account" option.
Note: Your Instagram account and all the associated data and information will be permanently removed from the platform after 30 days of your deletion request.
That means you’ll have up to 30 days to reconsider your decision, and if you change your mind, you can cancel the deletion process at any time (as long as the 30-day period is not over yet) by logging into your account or through the Accounts Center.
On the computer
If you are using Instagram on your desktop computer, here’s how to delete an Instagram account permanently from Account Center:
Step 1. Go to https://www.instagram.com and log into your account.
Step 2. Click the More button in the bottom left of the screen and select "Settings."
Step 3. On the left column, click "See more in Accounts Center."
Step 4. Under the "Account settings" section, click "Personal details."
Step 5. On the next screen, select "Account ownership and control" and then click "Deactivation or deletion."
Step 6. Click on the Instagram account you want to delete permanently.
Step 7. Select the "Delete account" option and tap the "Continue" button.
(If you simply want to take a break from Instagram, select "Deactivate account" instead.)
Step 8. Enter your password and click Continue.
Step 9. Let Instagram know why you want to delete your account and tap Continue.
Step 10. Click Continue.
Step 11. Click on the "Delete account" option to submit your deletion request.
Of course, you also have 30 days to reconsider your decision. You can cancel your deletion request anytime you want, as long as the deletion process hasn’t started yet.
RELATED: How To Delete Your Twitter Account
FAQs answered
How long until Instagram permanently deletes my account?
After submitting your account deletion request, you will have 30 days to cancel it. When the 30-day period expires without you canceling your request, Instagram will start deleting your account. However, according to Instagram’s Help Center, it may take up to 90 days for the deletion process (after it begins) to fully complete.
How to un-delete my Instragam account?
Please keep in mind that your Instagram account will be deleted after 30 days of your deletion request, and you can’t bring your account back once that 30-day period is over.
So if you change your mind and no longer want to delete your Instagram account, you need to be quick. As long as that 30-day period has not expired yet, you can un-delete your account with ease.
To do so, all you need to do is simply log back into Instagram using your usual credentials. Then, you will get a message from Instagram asking if you want to keep using your account. Now, simply click on or tap the "Keep Account" option to get your Instagram back.
Bottom line
Now that you know how to delete an Instagram account on the web and through the mobile app. It just takes a few steps to submit your deletion request. Even after submitting the deletion request, you’ll still have 30 days to reconsider your decision and cancel it at any time you want. However, once that 30-day period is over, your account and all your data and information will start being removed from Instagram permanently.
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