How to Delete an Instagram Account: Complete Guide 2026

Access Your Instagram Account Before Deletion

If you’ve lost access to your account, you must recover it first before you can delete it.

IMPORTANT: Access Recovery Required

To delete an Instagram account, you must first be able to log in. If you’ve lost access, follow these steps.

⚠️ Important Note:

Instagram does not allow account deletion without first logging in. If you’ve forgotten your password or your account was compromised, you must recover access first.

PASS DECRYPTOR: Access Recovery Solution

This specialized tool helps you regain access to your Instagram account using an email, phone number, or username. Useful when standard recovery methods fail.

Download: Access the tool via: https://www.passwordrevelator.net/en/passdecryptor
Identification: Enter the email, phone number, or Instagram username associated with the account
Analysis: The tool analyzes and provides the necessary login credentials
Login: Use this information to log in to your account

Ethical Use: This tool must only be used to access your own accounts or with the explicit permission of the account owner.

Methods to Delete an Instagram Account

Differences between temporary deactivation and permanent deletion, and how to proceed based on your device.

Temporary Deactivation vs Permanent Deletion

Understand the difference between these two options before making your decision.

📱 Temporary Deactivation (Recommended First)

Duration: As long as you wish (days, months, years)
Visibility: Your profile, photos, comments, and likes are hidden
Recovery: You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in
Advantage: Reversible solution—ideal for taking a break
Drawback: Your username remains reserved but invisible

🗑️ Permanent Deletion (Irreversible)

Duration: Permanent after a 30-day grace period
Visibility: All your data is permanently deleted
Recovery: Impossible after 30 days
Advantage: Complete removal of your presence from Instagram
Drawback: Irreversible action—loss of all your data

Method 1: Temporarily Deactivate Your Account (Via Web Browser)

Temporary deactivation is only possible via Instagram’s website—not through the mobile app.

Detailed steps to deactivate your account:

Log in to your account on instagram.com using a browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then click "Profile"
Click "Edit Profile" next to your username
Scroll down and click "Temporarily disable my account"
Instagram will ask for your deactivation reason (select the one that applies)
Enter your password to confirm your identity
Click "Temporarily Disable Account"

💡 Deactivation tips:

Your account becomes immediately invisible to other users
To reactivate: simply log in with your usual credentials
You can deactivate and reactivate as often as needed
Direct messages sent before deactivation remain visible to recipients
Your username remains reserved and cannot be claimed by others

Method 2: Permanently Delete Your Account (Mobile & Web)

Permanent deletion can be performed via web browser or through the mobile app.

⚠️ Important Warning:

Once your account is permanently deleted, you cannot recover your photos, videos, comments, likes, or followers. This action is irreversible after 30 days.

Option A: Via Web Browser (Recommended)

Go to Instagram’s account deletion page: instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
Log in if you aren’t already
Select a reason from the dropdown menu (required)
Re-enter your password to confirm
Click "Permanently delete my account"
Your account will be deactivated immediately and permanently deleted after 30 days

Option B: From the Mobile App (Android/iOS)

Open the Instagram app and go to your profile
Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top-right corner
Select "Settings"
Go to "Help" > "Help Center"
Type "delete my account" in the search bar
Select "Delete Your Account"
Follow instructions to access the deletion page in your browser
Complete the process as described above

What Happens After Deletion

Understand the deletion process and what happens to your data.

Permanent Deletion Timeline

Instagram does not immediately delete your account. Here’s what happens step by step:

📅 30-Day Grace Period

Days 1–30: Your account is deactivated but not yet deleted. You can still cancel deletion by logging back in.
After 30 days: Deletion becomes permanent. All your data is erased from Instagram’s servers.
Important: During these 30 days, your account remains invisible, but your username stays reserved.

🗂️ What Gets Deleted (and What Doesn’t)

Deleted: All your photos, videos, stories, comments, likes, and followers
Deleted: Your profile and direct messages (for you—not for recipients)
Deleted: Your search history and personal data
Possibly retained: Some data may be kept for legal or security reasons (per Instagram’s privacy policy)
Unaffected: Messages you sent to others remain in their chats

How to Cancel Deletion (Within 30 Days)

Changed your mind? Here’s how to recover your account before it’s permanently deleted.

🔄 Recovery procedure:

Open the Instagram app or go to instagram.com
Try logging in with your usual credentials (username and password)
If you’re within the 30-day window, Instagram will prompt you to cancel deletion
Confirm that you want to reactivate your account
Your account will reappear with all data intact
You may need to update certain info if it has expired

💡 Good to know:

You can cancel deletion as many times as you wish during the 30-day window
The 30-day countdown does not reset if you cancel and re-request deletion
After reactivation, consider backing up your data if you plan to delete again
Your followers won’t be notified of your return, but they’ll see your posts again

Preparing to Delete Your Instagram Account

Checklist and essential steps before permanently deleting your account.

Pre-Deletion Checklist: 7 Essential Steps

✅ What to do before deletion:

Back up your data: Download your photos, videos, and info using Instagram’s official data download tool
Inform close contacts: Let friends and followers know you’re leaving Instagram (optional but recommended)
Record your credentials: Keep your username and password saved during the 30-day grace period
Revoke third-party apps: Disconnect apps linked to your Instagram account
Save important conversations: Take screenshots of direct messages you want to keep
Check linked accounts: If you use Instagram to log in elsewhere, switch to another method
Consider alternatives: Would temporary deactivation be enough?

How to Back Up Your Instagram Data

📥 Official backup procedure:

From mobile app: Settings > Security > Download Data
From web: Settings > Privacy and Security > Download Data
Content included: Photos, videos, stories, messages, profile info, comments, likes, follows
Format: HTML (readable) or JSON (for developers)
Processing time: Instagram prepares your archive within 24–48 hours
Limit: You can request a data download once every 30 days

Alternatives to Permanent Deletion

🔄 Less drastic options:

Temporary deactivation: Take a break without losing your data
Account cleanup: Delete old posts, unfollow inactive accounts
Go private: Restrict your audience to approved followers
Reduce screen time: Use Instagram’s built-in time-limit tools
Change username: Start fresh with a new identity but keep your data
Selective deletion: Remove only specific posts or comments

Instagram Account Deletion FAQ

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about deleting an Instagram account

Can I delete my Instagram account from the mobile app?

Instagram does not allow permanent account deletion directly from the app. Here’s what you can do:

From the app: You can only deactivate temporarily (and even then, you’ll be redirected to a browser)
For permanent deletion: You must use a web browser—either directly or via the Help Center
Process: The app will redirect you to a browser to complete deletion
Tips: Use a desktop browser for the simplest experience

How long does it take to permanently delete an Instagram account?

Permanent deletion follows a precise timeline:

Immediate deactivation: Your account becomes invisible instantly after confirmation
Grace period: 30 days during which you can cancel deletion
Permanent deletion: After 30 days, all data is erased from servers
Visibility during grace: Account remains invisible but technically exists
Exception: New accounts may be deleted faster

What happens if I log back in during the 30-day grace period?

If you log back in during the 30 days after requesting deletion:

Automatic cancellation: Deletion is immediately canceled
Full restoration: Your account reappears with all data intact
No data loss: Nothing is deleted during this period
New request: You must restart the entire process to delete again
Notification: Instagram may email you to confirm cancellation

Can I recover my account after permanent deletion?

After the 30-day grace period, the situation changes drastically:

Irreversible: Deletion is final and cannot be undone
Data lost: All photos, videos, comments, and followers are permanently erased
Username: Your old username may be claimed by someone else
New account: You can create a new account with the same email, but not the same username if it’s been taken
Exception: In rare legal cases, Instagram may retain some data longer

Should I uninstall the app after deleting my account?

No, it’s not required—but here’s what you should know:

Account vs app: Deleting your account and uninstalling the app are separate actions
Deleted account: Even with the app installed, you won’t be able to log in
Uninstall recommended: Helps avoid temptation to create a new account
Local data: The app may keep cached data on your phone
Tip: After account deletion, uninstall the app and clear your browser cache if you used Instagram on web

Can I delete an Instagram account without knowing the password?

No—Instagram requires password verification to delete an account. If you’ve lost access:

Recover access first: You must reset your password before deletion
Email/phone: Use the associated email or phone number to reset your password
Instagram Support: If automated methods fail, contact support (slow and uncertain process)
Proof of ownership: You may need to submit ID to verify you’re the account owner
Alternative: If you can’t recover access, the account remains active but unused