How to deactivate or delete your Instagram account? - [Complete guide]

To deactivate or delete your Instagram account, here's how to do it step by step. This comprehensive guide will help you delete your Instagram profile easily.

How to deactivate or delete your Instagram account? - [Complete guide]
Emeric
Senior Content Writer @ BoostFluence
Social Media
October 28, 2022

Instagram is one of the largest social networks in the world, with more than 1 billion monthly active users.

While this translates into lots of perfectly scrollable photos and stories, it also makes the platform ripe for scams. Cyberattacks and fraud are rife on Instagram.

We've reported on several cyberattacks on Instagram this year, including a phishing attack that bypasses Gmail's security filters. It has become very simple to hack an Instagram account.

Meanwhile, studies indicate that excessive use of social networks like Instagram can have negative effects on your mental health. In fact, in 2021, Instagram attempted to suppress an internal study that showed the app's negative effects on teenagers.

Are you concerned about your privacy? Are flashy influencers wearing down your patience? Do you want to spend less time scrolling through Instagram and focus on improving your productivity?

Maybe it's time to deactivate your Instagram account, or even delete Instagram altogether!

In this article, you'll find step-by-step instructions on how to temporarily deactivate Instagram or delete your Instagram account permanently.

If on the other hand lacking followers and likes is making you unhappy and you want to remedy that. Find out here how to gain Instagram followers.

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Deactivate or delete: What's best for you?

Instagram doesn't want you to leave, so deleting your account isn't your only recourse. You can also choose to deactivate it.

Here are the main differences between deactivating and deleting from'Instagram.

DELETING YOUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT DEFINITELY:

  • The deletion of your Instagram account is irreversible.
  • When you delete your Instagram account, all your photos, videos, followers, likes and comments are permanently deleted from the network.
  • If you delete your account, you risk losing your username if someone else claims it.

DEACTIVATE YOUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT TEMPORARILY:

  • If you deactivate your Instagram account, you can reactivate it at any time by simply logging in.
  • If you deactivate your account, your photos, followers, comments and likes are preserved.
  • If you deactivate Instagram, your account is hidden indefinitely, but no one can take your username.

Download and back up your Instagram data

Whether you're considering deactivating or deleting your Instagram account, we recommend making a copy of everything you've shared on the Instagram app. To do this, you have the option of uploading all your personal data.

How to upload your Instagram data to the iPhone and Android app?

Here's how to upload your Instagram data to your iPhone or Android device:

  1. Tap on your profile photo in the bottom right-hand corner.
  2. Tap the three lines in the top right-hand corner.
  3. Select "Your activity".
  4. To download your account data, click "Download your information".
  5. Then click "Request download". You can change the e-mail address given to have the data sent to another address.
  6. Enter your password.
  7. Press "Request download".
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Receiving your file can take from 48 hours to 14 days.

You'll receive an e-mail with "Your Instagram data" in the subject line. Click on the link in the'email to download your file. The file typically includes your profile information, photos and videos, comments and other data.

How do you download your Instagram data to a computer or mobile browser?

If you're accessing Instagram on a web browser, here's how to request your data file:

  1. Click on your profile photo in the top right-hand corner of the page.
  2. Choose "Settings" (the little cog icon).
  3. Select "Privacy & Security".
  4. Scroll down to "Data Download" and click "Request Download".
  5. Enter an e-mail address to receive the download link, or leave the default e-mail address you used to log in.
  6. Choose the format of your data file - HTML or JSON. The HTML format is relatively easier to use.
  7. Enter your Instagram password.
  8. Click on "Request download".
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Within 48 hours, you'll receive an e-mail entitled "Vos données Instagram".Click on the link contained in the e-mail to download your file.

How to deactivate your Instagram account

Are you not quite ready to step away from'Instagram? If you feel like a brief separation is all you need, then consider deactivating your Instagram account.

You can use your computer or mobile browser to cut ties with the social network.

Here's how to deactivate your Instagram account on your computer or a mobile browser:

1 - Open a web page and log in to the Instagram account you want to deactivate.

2 - Click on your profile picture at the top right.

3 - Choose "Settings" > "Edit profile".

4 - Scroll down and click on "Temporarily deactivate my account".

5 - In the "Why are you deactivating your account" section, select a reason from the drop-down menu. You will not be able to continue until you select a reason.

deactivate instagram account computer

6 - Re-enter your account password.

7 - Click "Temporarily deactivate account" to deactivate your Instagram account.

You can also deactivate an Instagram account from the iPhone or Android app.

Here's how to deactivate your Instagram account on your computer or a mobile browser:

1 - Open the Instagram app and log in to the Instagram account you wish to deactivate.am you wish to deactivate.

2 - Click on your profile picture on the bottom right.

3 - Open settings and choose "Account".

4 - Scroll down and click on "delete account" then "Deactivate account".

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5 - In the section "Pourquoi désactiver votre compte ?", select a reason from the drop-down menu. You will not be able to continue until you select a reason.

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6 - Re-enter your account password.

7 - Click "Temporarily deactivate account" to deactivate your Instagram account.

Your Instagram account will be hidden and will not appear in search results.

Your username, photos, likes, followers and comments will be preserved.

Note: the moment you log back into your account, it will be reactivated. You can only deactivate your Instagram account once'a week.

How to reactivate your Instagram account

If you have deactivated your Instagram account but would like to access it again, follow the steps below.

  1. Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet, or open Instagram in a web browser.
  2. On the'Instagram home screen, enter your login credentials.
  3. Press "Login" and your account will be restored.

If you change your mind right after deactivating your account, you may have to wait up to 24 hours before you can reactivate it.

Instagram usually takes several hours to process deactivation requests. Until this process is complete, you won't be able to reactivate your account.

How to permanently delete your Instagram account

If you're ready to completely delete your Instagram account, you'll need to be on your computer with a web browser or via the app on iPhone or Android.

Here's how to permanently delete your Instagram account:

1 - Log in to Instagram. If you have created another Instagram account, make sure you're logged in to the account you wish to delete.

2 - Go to the "Delete your account" page. Unfortunately, there's no menu option for easy access to this page, so you need the direct link. On the app, however, you'll be able to follow the same steps as for deactivating your account.

delete instagram account

3 - From the drop-down menu in the "Why do you want to delete [account name]" section, select the reason why you want to delete your Instagram account. You will be asked for additional information, depending on the option you select.

4 - When you're done, re-enter your Instagram account password.

5 - Click the "Permanently delete my account" button.

Your account will be immediately deleted, including all photos, likes, followers and comments associated with your account.

You should see a confirmation message that says: " Your account has been deleted. We're sorry to see you go!"

For all intents and purposes, your Instagram account has now been deleted. However, Instagram says it can take up to three months for your account data to be completely deleted from its servers. Instagram's data policy also points out that some information may be retained on its servers beyond this 90-day window for legal purposes.

If you ever want to re-register on the social network at some point to raise awareness of your brand or become an influencer, you can always use Boostfluence to boost your number of followers and likes.

Final thoughts

Instagram can be fun, but it presents a potential risk to your privacy and, in some cases, to your mental health. Opinions differ on the right way to use social networks, but it's clear that sometimes it's necessary to take a break.

You can perfectly deactivate or permanently delete your Instagram account. Instagram and all other social networks will be there when you're ready to use them again.

FAQ: How do you deactivate your Instagram account or delete Instagram?

Check out the FAQ section below for answers to specific questions about how to deactivate or delete your Instagram account.

How do I delete my Instagram account from a phone?

As Instagram does not allow you to delete your account within the app itself, you will need to log in to Instagram via a web browser.

Once you have done so, follow these steps to permanently delete your Instagram account.

  1. Go to the "Delete your account" page.
  2. In the "Why do you want to delete [account name]" section, choose the reason you're deleting your account.
  3. Re-enter your Instagram password.
  4. Click the "Delete [username]" button.

For further instructions, read our article "How to delete your Instagram account" a little above.

What's the difference between deleting and deactivating my Instagram account?

When you delete your Instagram account, all your photos, followers, likes and comments disappear forever. Your username is also back in play. On the other hand, when you deactivate your Instagram account, your data is preserved and you can reactivate your account at any time.

How to deactivate an Instagram account

You can only deactivate your Instagram account by logging in via a browser.

Follow the steps below to deactivate your account:

  1. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
  2. Choose "Profile"gt; "Edit profile".
  3. Scroll down and click on "Temporarily deactivate my account".
  4. Choose a reason from the "Why are you deactivating your account".
  5. Re-enter your password.
  6. Click on "Temporarily deactivate account".

How to reactivate an Instagram account?

To reactivate your Instagram account, simply log in via the app or a browser, and it will happen automatically. If you've just deactivated your account, you'll have to wait 24 hours before you can reactivate it.

To attract more followers quickly, you can use an app like Boostfluence.

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