Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites around — and one of the most addicting. If you want to tone down your Instagram habits, you can always delete or deactivate your Instagram account.
The difference between the two options is that deleting your Instagram account is permanent, while deactivating is temporary and lets you get your account back later.
Quick note: To delete or deactivate your Instagram account, you’ll need to use a desktop web browser, or the web browser on your smartphone. You can’t do it through the app.
How to delete your Instagram account permanently
On a desktop or mobile web browser, go to the Instagram website and log into your account using your username and password.
Once logged in, go to the account deletion page.
From the drop-down menu at the top of the screen, choose your reason for deleting your account.
Once you’ve chosen your reason for deleting, you’ll be asked to re-enter your password. Do so, and then click the blue “Delete [Account Name]” button.
Instagram notes that it’ll take a month for your data to be fully erased. Until then, your account will just be hidden from public view.
How to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily
If you think you want to recover your Instagram account later, you should disable it temporarily:
1. Log into your Instagram account on the web and go to your profile page, then click “Edit profile” at the top of the page.
Click the “Edit profile” option above your bio. William Antonelli/Insider
2. At the bottom of the page that opens, select “Temporarily disable my account.”
3. Select a reason that you’re disabling your account, and re-enter your password.
4. Click “Temporarily Disable Account.”
Give a reason and your password
Quick tip: Once you’ve deleted or deactivated your Instagram account, you’ll probably want to delete the app off of your phone. Check out our guides on how to delete apps on an iPhone or Android device to do it.
To reactivate your account in the future, simply log back into the Instagram app with your username and password.
