How To Delete Instagram Account – Step-by-Step Guide 2026

With an increasing number of users accessing the internet and phones, Instagram users are reaching an all-time high. The platform currently has around 2 billion active users, as of 2026 and still counting. Since you’re reading this post, you must be using the platform for personal or professional purposes. Despite all the good things about Instagram, people often look for ways to delete their accounts. The reason? Privacy Concern, digital detox, time constraint, etc. Check out this full guide covering the steps to deleting an Instagram account.

Instead of deleting your account for a temporary break, you can choose to deactivate it. Deactivation puts a temporary hold on your account, which you can resume anytime you feel comfortable.

Key Takeaways!

• Before deleting your Instagram account, consider downloading your personal information, including photos, videos, and other content.
• Users can customize date, quality, and time while downloading personal details.
• You can delete your Instagram Account its website and its application.
• After the deletion, you get 30 days as grace period to recover your account. However, your data will be deleted after 90 days.

Things to Consider Before Deleting Your Instagram Account

Before initiating the deletion process, you should know a few things very well. These include repercussions and prerequisites of the process:

• Download your data: Consider saving your personal data, such as photos, videos, and messages, before deleting your Insta ID. You can download your account information by following a simple step-by-step guide.
• Inform people about your farewell: You can choose to inform some important people that you will no longer be available on Instagram.
• Perform steps carefully: Know the right steps to delete the account. Doing so will help you keep your important information saved and ensure smooth deletion. To know this, continue reading as the steps are described ahead.
• Deleting is permanent: If you delete your account, you cannot recover it after 30 days. It’s a permanent action, no looking back.

How To Download Your Instagram Data

When planning to delete your account, remember to download your Instagram account information beforehand. It’s an ideal step to keep your files and other kinds of data safe.

Check method to download Instagram Account Information:

• Open Instagram: If you’re accessing Instagram via browser, visit Instagram.com. If using it on a phone, tap the app.
• Access Profile: Tap the profile icon from the top/bottom right corner, depending on your device.
• Tap Menu: Click three lines from the top right corner.
• Access the ‘Download Your Information’ tab: Use the search bar to find the Download Your Information tab. Once found, tap it.
• Select Account and where you want to export: Select a particular account you want to download information from, and also choose the device you want to keep your information on.
• Edit the sections (if required): You can customize the already-filled section, including email address to notify you, file format, date range, media quality, time, etc.
• Tap ‘Start Export’: Your request is being sent to Instagram. They will notify you via the mentioned email about the status when it’s complete.

How To Delete Instagram Account: Desktop & Mobile Steps

Follow the simple step guide to delete your Instagram account. These steps are applicable for MOBILE and DESKTOP.

DESKTOP:

Open Instagram.

Tap the More icon from the bottom left and click ‘Settings’

Tap ‘Accounts Center’ and then personal details.

Select “Manage Accounts’ from the bottom left.

Select the “Manage” option next to your profile.

Select “Deactivation or Deletion” option.

Finally, select “Delete Account” and tap Continue.

MOBILE: Android/iOS

• Open the Instagram app and tap the Profile option at the bottom.
• Click the “menu  ≡” icon in the top right corner.
• Tap “Account Centre” as a top option.
• Click “Manage Accounts”
• Select “Manage” beside a particular profile.
• Tap “Deactivation or deletion”
• Check “Delete Account” option and tap “Continue”
• Select a reason for deletion and tap Continue.
• Before the final step, you will be asked if you’re sure to delete your account or deactivate it. Tap “continue” to delete it.

What Happens After You Delete Your Instagram Account?

Once you delete your Insta account, you’re given 30 days as a grace period. During this time, your information, account profile, chats, and interactions become invisible to others. But you have the option to retrieve your account by following a few steps. Check what changes you notice after your account is removed from Instagram:

• Permanent deletion: After completing the grace period, which is 30 days, your information will be permanently deleted along with your profile name and everything identical to you. You cannot retrieve your account after that.
• Username becomes available: After your account deletion, your username will become available for others; you have no right to restrict that. However, if it’s available, you can take it again. 
• Everything’s Reset: All the information related to your account will be permanently deleted. You cannot access anything because it’s not available at all.

Common Issues While Deleting Instagram and How to Fix Them

There may be times when you struggle to delete your Insta ID. This restriction can arise from various reasons. We have discussed them to help understand and fix them:

1. Can’t perform deletion on App:

When you initiate the account deletion process, Instagram will redirect you to the web version of the dedicated deletion page. It’s the default feature, so you cannot just accomplish the task on your app; you need to visit the website, which happens automatically. So, if you notice that, it’s a completely normal phenomenon.

Solution:  You just focus on approaching steps, selecting the appropriate account and taking the right actions.

2. Wrong password error:

You may see that the password you enter is showing incorrectly while performing the steps for the account deletion. This happens due to several reasons, including sync errors, or others. 

Solution: Focus on resetting the password and then continue with account deletion. Logging out and signing in to a new device can also work here.

3. Verification required before deleting:

Instagram notices your actions. So, if you keep changing passwords and logging in and out frequently, they may find it suspicious and thus restrict the deletion until you verify your identity.

Solution: Perform the required steps to confirm that it’s you only. For that, answer the security question, and send your photo to confirm your identity.

How To Temporarily Deactivate Your Instagram Account

Here is the simple guide for temporarily deactivating your Instagram account.

• Open Instagram: Tap the Pink rectangular box.
• Select profile: Access the profile in the bottom right corner.
• Tap menu: tap three lines (horizontally) from the top right corner.
• Access ‘Accounts Center’: Tap account center option on a fresh screen.
• Click Personal details.
• Tap account ownership and control, and click Deactivation or deletion.
• Choose the account you want to deactivate.
• Tap deactivate account and tap continue

Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Instagram

Let’s understand the difference between deactivation and deleting the Insta ID.

Final Words

Instagram is helpful, but you’re tired of using it and want a complete break; deleting the account is your way. Before you ask how to delete an Instagram Account, knowing how to protect your account details is essential. You can download the information to keep it saved on your device. Once you safeguard the data, follow the guide: Visit Profile>tap Accounts Centre>Account ownership and control>select account>tap continue to complete the process. To know the guide fully, read the dedicated blog.

People Also Ask {PAA}:

Qs 1: How do I Delete my Instagram account permanently?

To delete, follow this: Visit Profile>tap Accounts Centre>Account ownership and control>select account>tap continue to complete the process.

Qs 2: Why can’t I delete my Instagram account?

Network error, Instagram issues, suspicious account detection, and wrong passwords are some common reasons why your Instagram account deletion process is restricted.

Qs 3: Will my followers know if I delete Instagram?

Your followers will get to know about your account deletion in the sense that they notice a blank profile; no name, profile picture, and sometimes with a notice: “Account deleted.”

Qs 4: Can I hide my Instagram account without deleting it?

Yes, if you want to hide your Insta profile, choose to deactivate it instead of deleting it permanently. Upon deactivation, you can come back anytime and use your profile, but not in the case of deletion.