Key Takeaways:
Instagram account deactivation is easily reversible, but deletion is permanent. Don’t forget to download your data before deletion. And if you get locked out because of an account hack, follow established recovery processes first. Instagram account deletion doesn’t affect your Facebook account, but it may impact a linked or shared login.
Instagram has its fair share of critics. The photo- and video-sharing platform might have over two billion monthly active users, but it also tops the list of social media networks that US users want to delete or deactivate, according to one 2025 analysis. Every month, over 500,000 users apparently search online for ways to do just that.
Some may be worried about their mental health and want to improve their productivity. Others may be concerned about their privacy or have experienced harassment on the platform. Many may simply feel they’ve outgrown the app and want a fresh start.
Whatever the reasons, the good news is that the next steps are relatively straightforward. But it’s important to understand the difference between deleting and deactivating your account. And what happens to your data in each scenario.
Delete vs deactivate - which one do you actually want?
Before you leave Instagram, the first decision to make is whether you want a temporary break or to leave for good. The two options are:
Deactivate: This is the temporary option. It means your profile, comments and likes will be hidden until you decide to reactivate your account.
Delete: The nuclear option. This will permanently erase your account after a 30-day grace period - along with any videos or photos you’ve posted, and any likes or comments you’ve made.
The bottom line: if you’re unsure which option is for you, just deactivate.
Before you delete - back up and lock down
If you’ve decided to delete, first run through the following two-minute checklist:
- Download your data (Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Export your information). Large archives may take up to 30 days for Instagram to process, so if you’re in a hurry, start the process now.
- Revoke third-party authorized apps that use your Instagram login. This will reduce the risk of log-in difficulties on these apps and avoid any other nasty surprises.
- Cancel any subscriptions/autorenewals tied to the account. These may continue to charge you after you’ve deleted your Instagram account and will be harder to cancel once it no longer exists.
- Linked Facebook/Threads accounts are standalone and should be handled separately
How to delete your Instagram account on a phone
Follow these steps:
Profile → menu (☰) → Accounts Center → Manage accounts → select account → Deactivation or deletion → password → confirm.
The process is identical on iOS and Android.
How to delete your Instagram account on a computer
Use the same Accounts Center path via instagram.com: More (☰) → Settings → Accounts Center → Manage accounts…
What happens after you delete - your data, username, and other accounts
Once you’ve requested an account deletion, your account will be hidden immediately. The countdown clock then begins on the 30-day grace period. During this period of time you’ll be able to log in and reverse your decision at any point.
After 30 days, the data deletion is permanent. Although copies of your data may remain on backup systems for up to 90 days after this point, this is for legal and compliance reasons. It won’t be publicly visible.
Be aware that any DMs you sent will remain in recipients’ inboxes (as a generic “Instagram user” or similar), and group chats will remain intact for other users. Any content you reshared while your account was active will also persist, as it wasn’t yours in the first place.
Your username may become available again for others to register, although this isn’t guaranteed. Nor is it certain that you’ll automatically be able to reclaim it in the future.
Facebook and Threads accounts will remain, but any linked logins may need re-verifying.
Can’t log in? Read this first
Deletion requires your password. If you’ve forgotten it, simply reset via “Forgot password?” then return to the steps listed above.
If you can’t log into your account because you were hacked, the first thing to do is recover it. Most accounts can be recovered if you act fast and follow the right steps. If you don’t, your account will likely be used by the hacker for fraud or other misdeeds.
Start with help.instagram.com and follow the “Recover a hacked account” path.
A quick word on old accounts and your security
If you’re no longer active on Instagram, it’s a good idea to deactivate. Why? Because cybercriminals are always on the lookout for dormant accounts they can hijack. They can use these to spam your followers or perpetrate fraud, among other things. And because you’re not likely to be checking in regularly, this malicious activity may go unnoticed for some time.
Hackers typically use brute-force attacks to target dormant accounts. This could include credential stuffing, where they use compromised logins you may have reused across multiple accounts. It’s always worth reviewing and updating old logins across your online accounts for the same reason. And to switch on two-factor authentication (2FA) as an extra layer of security.
Tips from ESET experts
“People often forget that deleting your Instagram account doesn’t instantly remove your digital footprint. While your account and content will eventually be removed from the platform, posts and reposts which can hold lots of information may continue to exist on the platform and elsewhere online. It’s also worth remembering that dormant social media accounts can become attractive targets for cybercriminals, particularly if they use old passwords that have been exposed in previous data breaches. Plus, they’d potentially not even be aware of it if they aren’t actively logging in any longer.
Before deleting or deactivating an account, take a few moments to review the security settings, update any reused passwords and enable two factor authentication on all online accounts. This small step can help reduce the risk long after people have left the platform and on to another.”
- Jake Moore, Global Security Advisor
Cleaning up old accounts is a smart move. But protecting the ones you keep matters just as much.From phishing links to malicious downloads, everyday threats don’t disappear when you delete a profile. See how ESET HOME Security Premium, including mobile security, helps secure your devices and online activity - while you stay in control of your digital life.
Conclusion
Plenty of users are falling out of love with Instagram. But it’s important to decide up front whether you want that split to be permanent, or simply to take a break. If it’s the former, you’ll need full account deletion. If it’s the latter, deactivation is the best option.
If you want to permanently part ways, it pays to understand the process first, as it can take a little time before all your personal data is purged. If you’re going to leave, better to leave on your own terms.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is deleting my Instagram account permanent?
Yes, but only after a 30-day grace period. During this time frame your account will be hidden, but you can log in at any time to cancel the request. Once the grace period has elapsed the deletion will be permanent, although it may take a further 90 days for the data to disappear completely from Instagram backups.
2. What’s the difference between deleting and deactivating?
Deactivating your account temporarily hides your profile. However, it’s simple to reactivate - all you need to do is log back in and everything will be as you left it. Again, account deletion is permanent after 30 days. If you only want a break from Instagram, deactivate rather than delete.
3. Will deleting Instagram delete my Facebook account?
No. They’re separate accounts, even though they’re linked through Meta’s Accounts Center. However, if you’ve deleted your Instagram account you may need to log into Facebook separately or re-verify your details.
4. How do I get my photos back before deleting?
Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Export your information. Large archives may take up to 30 days for Instagram to process, so if you’re in a hurry, start the process now.
5. Can I delete Instagram if I forgot my password?
Not directly - you need to confirm your password first. Reset it via “Forgot password?” then follow the same steps. If you’re locked out because someone hacked your account, recover access to your account first. (See our recovery guide above for more).
6. Can I secure the same username later?
Possibly. After deletion, which is permanent, your username may become available again. But Instagram doesn’t guarantee it, and even if it does, someone else may take it first.
