How to Delete Your Instagram Account Permanently (2026 Guide for iPhone, Android and PC)
You can now delete your Instagram account permanently from the Instagram app on iPhone or Android, or from any web browser. Older guides that say “you can only delete from a browser” are out of date. Instagram moved account deletion into Meta’s Accounts Center, and the steps below follow that current flow.
Quick answer: Open Instagram and go to Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion. Select your account, choose Delete account, tap Continue, pick a reason, and confirm with your password. Your profile is hidden right away and permanently deleted after 30 days. Log back in before then to cancel.
Tested on: Instagram app for iPhone and Android, plus instagram.com on Chrome (Windows) and Safari (Mac).
Before you start: once deletion is complete, you can no longer download your photos, videos or messages. Download your data first (steps below).
Delete vs Deactivate Instagram: Which Should You Choose?
Deactivation is a pause button; deletion is permanent after 30 days. If you think you might come back, deactivate instead.
| Feature | Deactivate (temporary) | Delete (permanent) |
| Profile visible to others | No | No |
| Photos, videos, comments | Kept and hidden | Erased after 30 days |
| Followers and following | Kept | Erased after 30 days |
| Can you undo it? | Yes, anytime by logging in | Only within 30 days |
| Your username | Stays yours | Released after deletion |
| DMs you sent | Hidden until you return | Can stay in other people’s inboxes |
| Data download | Still available | Only before deletion completes |
| Best for | Taking a break | Leaving for good |
Before You Delete: 5 Things to Do First
Spend five minutes on these steps. Skipping them is the most common reason people regret deleting.
1. Download your Instagram data
- Open Instagram and go to Settings > Accounts Center.
- Tap Your information and permissions.
- Tap Download your information, then Download or transfer information.
- Select your Instagram profile.
- Choose All available information (or pick specific types like photos or messages).
- Choose Download to device, set the date range to All time, and pick HTML (easy to browse) or JSON (easy to import elsewhere).
- Tap Create files.
Meta emails you when the file is ready. Large accounts can take a few hours to a few days, and the download link expires after a few days, so save it promptly.
2. Remove Instagram as a login for other apps
If you use “Continue with Instagram” for apps or games, switch those apps to an email login first. Otherwise you may lose access to them.
3. Check linked Facebook and Threads profiles
Deleting Instagram does not delete your Facebook account, even if both sit in the same Accounts Center. Your Threads profile is tied to your Instagram account, so check Threads before you delete and save anything you want to keep.
4. Hand over business roles
If your account manages a business, ad account or shop, add another admin in Meta Business Suite before deleting. Cancel any Meta Verified subscription separately through the App Store, Google Play or Accounts Center.
5. Save your two-factor backup codes
Keep your password and 2FA backup codes handy. You need them to confirm deletion and to log back in if you change your mind within 30 days.
How to Delete Instagram Permanently on iPhone
The whole process takes about two minutes inside the Instagram app.
- Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture (bottom right).
- Tap the menu icon (three lines, top right).
- Tap Accounts Center near the top of the list.
- Under Account settings, tap Personal details.
- Tap Account ownership and control.
- Tap Deactivation or deletion.
- Select the Instagram account you want to delete.
- Choose Delete account, then tap Continue.
- Pick a reason for leaving and tap Continue.
- Enter your password and tap Continue.
- Tap Delete account on the final screen to confirm.
Instagram shows the date your account will be permanently deleted. Take a screenshot of it for your records.
How to Delete Instagram Permanently on Android
The Android steps match iPhone almost exactly. Only the menu position can look slightly different on some phones.
- Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture (bottom right).
- Tap the menu icon (three lines, top right), then Accounts Center.
- Tap Personal details, then Account ownership and control.
- Tap Deactivation or deletion and select your Instagram account.
- Choose Delete account and tap Continue.
- Select a reason, enter your password, and tap Continue.
- Tap Delete account to confirm.
Tip for India users: if Accounts Center does not load on mobile data, switch to Wi-Fi or update the app from Google Play. An outdated app version is the most common reason the option goes missing.
How to Delete Instagram Permanently on PC or Mac
On a computer, you use the same Accounts Center flow through instagram.com in any browser.
- Go to instagram.com and log in.
- Click More (three lines, bottom left of the sidebar), then Settings.
- Click Accounts Center in the left panel.
- Click Personal details, then Account ownership and control.
- Click Deactivation or deletion and select your Instagram account.
- Choose Delete account, then click Continue.
- Select a reason, enter your password, and click Delete account to confirm.
You can also open Accounts Center directly at accountscenter.instagram.com and start from step 4.
Shortcut: the direct delete link
Instagram still has a dedicated delete page at instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/. Log in first, then open the link. Depending on your account, it either shows the old delete screen or sends you into the Accounts Center flow above. Either way, the result is the same.
Make sure you are logged into the right account. If you manage several profiles, check the username on screen before you confirm.
If You See “Meta Account” Settings Instead of Accounts Center
Instagram is gradually moving users to Meta Accounts, so some people now see “Meta Account settings” where Accounts Center used to be (Instagram Help Center). If that is you, the path changes only slightly:
- Open Meta Account settings from the Instagram menu.
- Look for Account ownership and control (sometimes listed under Personal details).
- Choose the Instagram profile, then Delete account, and follow the same confirmation steps.
The 30-day rule and everything else in this guide work the same way under both menus.
What Happens After You Delete Your Instagram Account
Deleting Instagram is a 30-day process, not an instant one. Here is what happens and when.
| When | What happens |
| Right away | Your profile, posts, comments and likes are hidden from everyone. |
| Days 1 to 30 | Your account is scheduled for deletion. Logging in cancels the request. |
| After day 30 | Your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers are permanently removed and cannot be recovered. |
| After deletion | Your username can be claimed by someone else. You can no longer use Instagram’s download tool for this account. |
A few things are not removed from Instagram itself:
- Messages you sent can remain in other people’s inboxes, usually shown from “Instagram User.”
- Copies held by others, such as screenshots or reposts, are outside Instagram’s control.
- Backup and legal copies may be kept for a limited time under Meta’s Privacy Policy, for example for legal obligations or safety investigations.
How to Cancel an Instagram Deletion Request
You can cancel any time within 30 days by logging back in.
- Open the Instagram app or instagram.com.
- Log in with your usual username and password. Do not create a new account.
- You will see a message that your account is scheduled for deletion.
- Tap Keep account (or the similar option shown).
Your profile, posts and followers come back exactly as they were. After 30 days this is no longer possible, and Instagram support cannot restore the account for you.
Avoid accidental cancellation: log out of Instagram on every phone, tablet and browser, and remove the app during the 30 days. Logging in through a third-party app that uses your Instagram login can also cancel the request.
Why Can’t I Delete My Instagram Account? (Troubleshooting)
Most deletion problems come from one of six causes. Find your symptom below.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
| No “Deactivation or deletion” option | Outdated app | Update Instagram from the App Store or Google Play, or use instagram.com |
| Accounts Center shows only Facebook | Instagram not added to Accounts Center | Delete from inside the Instagram app or on instagram.com while logged into that account |
| “Incorrect password” at the last step | Forgotten or changed password | Reset it with Forgot password? on the login screen, then try again |
| Wrong account selected | Several profiles in one Accounts Center | Check the username shown before tapping Delete account |
| Deletion keeps cancelling | You (or an app) logged in during the 30 days | Log out everywhere and do not log in until the deletion date |
| Account is disabled or suspended | Instagram has restricted the account | Follow the on-screen appeal steps first. Instagram cannot delete a profile for you. |
For security reasons, Instagram will not delete an account on your behalf, even if you contact support (Instagram Help Center). You must complete the steps while logged in.
How to Delete Instagram Without Your Password
You cannot delete an Instagram account without logging in, but you can regain access first.
If you forgot your password:
- On the login screen, tap Forgot password?
- Enter the email, phone number or username linked to the account.
- Use the link or code Instagram sends to set a new password.
- Log in and follow the deletion steps for your device above.
If you no longer have the email or phone: use Instagram’s account recovery options on the login screen, which may ask you to confirm your identity.
If your account was hacked: go to instagram.com/hacked and follow the recovery steps. Once you are back in, change your password and turn on two-factor authentication. You may not need to delete the account at all after securing it.
How to Temporarily Deactivate Instagram Instead
Deactivating uses the same menu as deleting. You just pick a different option at the end.
- Go to Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control.
- Tap Deactivation or deletion and select your account.
- Choose Deactivate account, then tap Continue.
- Enter your password, pick a reason, and confirm.
Your profile stays hidden until you log back in. Nothing is deleted, and your username stays yours. The old “Temporarily disable my account” button under Edit Profile no longer exists.
Which Option Fits You? 4 Common Situations
- “I want a break for exams or a detox.” Deactivate. Your followers and posts wait for you, and you can return any time.
- “I want to leave Instagram for good.” Download your data, log out everywhere, then delete. Do not log in for 30 days.
- “I run a small business page.” Add another admin in Meta Business Suite and export your posts and customer messages first. Consider converting to a personal account and deactivating if you may relaunch later.
- “Someone hacked my account.” Recover it at instagram.com/hacked, secure it with a new password and 2FA, and then decide. Deleting a hacked account you cannot access is not possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Instagram take to delete an account?
Instagram permanently deletes your account 30 days after you submit the request. Your profile is hidden from others during that time.
Can I recover a deleted Instagram account?
Only within 30 days, by logging back in and choosing to keep the account. After 30 days, the account and its content cannot be recovered.
Can I delete my Instagram account from the app?
Yes. The Instagram app on iPhone and Android includes deletion under Settings > Accounts Center > Personal details > Account ownership and control.
Will my followers be notified?
No. Instagram does not send a notification. Your profile simply stops appearing in search, follower lists and comments.
What happens to my DMs?
Your conversations disappear from your side. Messages you sent can remain in the other person’s inbox, usually shown from “Instagram User.”
Can I reuse my username after deleting?
Not guaranteed. Once deletion is complete, your username is released and anyone can claim it.
Does deleting Instagram delete my Facebook account?
No. Facebook stays active even if both are linked in Accounts Center. Your Threads profile is tied to Instagram, so check it before deleting.
Can Instagram delete my account for me?
No. For security reasons, Instagram support cannot delete an account on your behalf. You must do it while logged in.
Summary Checklist
Deleting Instagram permanently takes two minutes to request and 30 days to complete. Work through this list in order:
- Download your data from Accounts Center
- Switch other apps away from “Continue with Instagram”
- Check your Threads profile and hand over business roles
- Delete via Accounts Center > Account ownership and control > Deactivation or deletion
- Screenshot the deletion date
- Log out on every device and do not log in for 30 days
Changed your mind? Log in before the 30 days end and choose to keep your account.
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