How to Delete Your Instagram Account

You have an Instagram account for sharing and following your favorite photos and videos. Maybe you enjoyed the service at some point, but now you want to pull the plug. Perhaps the algorithmic feed is driving you nuts; maybe you're wasting too much time watching stories.

No problem. Instagram offers a couple of options.

If you just want to take a break from the service on the chance you might return to it in the future, you can disable your account. If you definitely want to cut the cord, you can delete your account for good. Disabling your account just renders it inactive until you sign back in. Deleting your account removes your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers. Let's look at both options.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

Instagram on the Web

You can't disable your account from the Instagram mobile app, so you need to sign into the Instagram.com website. From your account homepage, click on your name to view your account profile.

Edit Your Profile

From your account profile, click on the Edit Profile button next to your username.

Disable Your Account

At the screen to edit your profile, click on the link at the bottom "Temporarily disable my account."

Confirm Account Disabling

At the next screen, select the reason you want to disable your account and type your password. Click on the button to Temporarily Disable Account. A pop-up message will ask you for final confirmation, giving you one more chance to change your mind. Click "Yes" to disable your account.

It's important to note that your account is not immediately disabled at this point. You may have to wait a few hours for the process to complete.

Reactivate Your Account

What if you change your mind and want to reactivate your account at some point? Just sign back into Instagram, and your account is reactivated.

Delete Your Account

If you want to take the more drastic step of deleting your account entirely you can’t do it from the app. On the web version of Instagram, go to the page to Delete Your Account. Click on the drop-down menu and select a response to answer the question of why you’re deleting your account. Instagram serves up some suggestions to try to convince you to stay.

Confirm Deletion of Your Account

If you're still intent on leaving, type your password and then click on the button "Permanently delete my account." Instagram will then ask one last time if you’re sure you want to delete your account. Click "OK" to proceed.

Your Account Has Been Deleted

Instagram removes your account and bids you adieu. If you ever want to join the service again, you’ll have to create a new account, repost your photos and videos, and find the accounts you want to follow.

About Our Expert

Lance Whitney

Contributor

My Experience

I've been working for PCMag since early 2016 writing tutorials, how-to pieces, and other articles on consumer technology. Beyond PCMag, I've written news stories and tutorials for a variety of other websites and publications, including CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Macworld, PC World, Time, US News & World Report, and AARP Magazine. I spent seven years writing breaking news for CNET as one of the site’s East Coast reporters. I've also written two books for Wiley & Sons—Windows 8: Five Minutes at a Time and Teach Yourself Visually LinkedIn.

My Areas of Expertise

I've used Windows, Office, and other Microsoft products for years so I'm well versed in that world. I also know the Mac quite well. I'm always working with iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and Android on my various mobile devices. And these days, I write a lot about AI, so that's become another key area for me.

The Tech I Use

My wife always jokes about all the tech products we have around the house, but I manage to put them to good use for my articles. I like Lenovo computers, so I own a couple of Lenovo desktops and several laptops. I have three MacBooks and a Mac mini. For my mobile life and work, I use an iPhone 16 Pro, iPad Pro, and iPad mini as well as an Apple Watch. But since I write about Android, I own several Android phones and tablets. Like any tech person, I have a cabinet full of cables, wires, and assorted mysterious gadgets. And when it's time to take a break from writing, I have an old Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, both of which I use for exercise and fitness games.

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