How to permanently delete your Instagram account

You can permanently delete your Instagram account through the Accounts Centre. Go to Personal details, choose Account ownership and control, then open Deactivation or deletion. Select the correct Instagram profile and choose Delete account. Download your data first because, after permanent deletion, you cannot recover your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes or followers.

Permanent deletion is different from temporary deactivation. When you deactivate your account, your profile is hidden until you log in again. When you delete it, Instagram begins a final deletion process. Meta usually mentions a period of 30 days during which cancellation may still be possible. This period can vary by region. Always check the date on your own confirmation screen.

Do you have multiple Instagram profiles or a linked Facebook account? Check carefully which username and profile photo you select. Removing an account from the Accounts Centre is also not the same as permanently deleting the Instagram account.

How do you permanently delete an Instagram account?

You delete an Instagram account through Meta’s Accounts Centre. This is where you manage personal details and connected profiles. The usual path is Personal details, Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion.

Next, select the Instagram profile you want to remove. Choose Delete account, then tap or click Continue. Instagram may ask why you want to leave. You may also need to enter your password again. Follow the confirmation prompts on the screen.

Read every screen carefully. Instagram should show which profile you are deleting and the date when the request becomes final. Check the username and profile photo before you agree. This is particularly important if you have multiple personal, business or creator profiles in the same Accounts Centre.

First, make a clear distinction between these actions:

• Permanently delete an Instagram account: you request final deletion of the selected account and its content.
• Temporarily deactivate Instagram: your profile and content are hidden until you reactivate the account.
• Remove an account from the Accounts Centre: you disconnect the accounts. The Instagram profile itself is not automatically deleted.
• Delete the Instagram app: you only remove the app from your mobile. Your account, messages and followers remain.

The third and fourth options often cause confusion. Removing the app does not affect your profile. Disconnecting Facebook and Instagram is also not a request for permanent deletion.

Do you want to stop because your reach is disappointing, but still keep your photos and profile? First consider whether a new approach would be more suitable. You could work on a clearer profile and more focused reach. SocialKings offers options to buy Instagram followers and buy Instagram likes. Only use these options if you want to keep the account. You do not need them to delete an account.

What is the difference between deleting and deactivating?

Permanent deletion is for someone who no longer wants to keep the account or its content. Temporary deactivation is for taking a break. When you deactivate your account, Instagram hides your profile, photos, comments and likes. They become visible again when you reactivate the account.

Still unsure? Choose the least final option first. Deactivating your account, making it private or removing unwanted followers gives you time to decide without rushing. This can help you avoid unnecessarily losing photos, videos and contacts.

Want to step away temporarily? Our guide to temporarily deactivating Instagram explains what is hidden and how you can return later.

Do you mainly want to remove unknown or unwanted accounts? You do not need to delete your entire Instagram profile. First, learn how to remove Instagram followers. This lets you address the problem without giving up your profile, photos and messages.

Perhaps you do not want to stop, but would rather rebuild your existing profile. Start by improving your bio, posting clear content and checking which posts perform well. For videos, you can also explore Instagram views. Only choose this approach if you are sure you want to keep the account.

Where can you find the delete option on iPhone, Android and a computer?

The delete option is in the Accounts Centre on iPhone, Android and computers. A button’s location can change slightly after an update. Always begin by looking for Accounts Centre, then find the ownership and control settings.

Where is the delete option in the Instagram app?

Open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Tap the menu in the top right. Next, open the Accounts Centre. Choose Personal details, followed by Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion.

You will now see one or more profiles. Tap the Instagram profile you want to delete. Check both the profile photo and username. Then choose Delete account.

Where is the delete option on a computer?

Open Instagram.com and log in to the correct account. Go to More, then Settings. Open the Accounts Centre. Follow the same path through personal details and account ownership and control.

A computer can be useful if the app freezes or you cannot find the settings. Where possible, use your own computer and a secure internet connection. Are you using a shared device? Log out afterwards and do not allow the browser to save your password.

Meta says permanent deletion is available through a mobile or computer. Cannot find the path? Update the Instagram app, close it completely, then open it again. You can also try Instagram.com in a browser.

Do not open a deletion link from an unknown email or suspicious private message. The link may be designed to steal your login details. Always open Instagram or the official Accounts Centre yourself.

How do you safely delete Instagram step by step?

Safe deletion begins with exporting your data. Next, check the correct profile and secure access before submitting the request. Do not skip a step if this is a business account or a profile containing important memories.

Which Instagram data should you save first?

Request an export first. After permanent deletion, you will no longer have access to that account’s export function. Open the Accounts Centre and go to Your information and permissions. Choose Export your information, then Create export.

Select the correct Instagram profile. Next, choose where you want to store the information. Depending on the available options, you may be able to export the data to your device or an external service. You can usually choose a date range, file type and media quality.

An export containing many videos and high quality media can be large. Check in advance how much storage space is available. Where possible, use a device that only you can access.

Meta says an export can take up to 30 days to become ready. When a download becomes available, the official explanation says you have four days to collect the file. Request the export well before submitting the deletion request.

Download the file and open several photos, videos and documents. Check that the important information is present and readable. A message saying the export is ready is not enough. You need to confirm that the file actually works.

Also save important items separately. Consider:

• Original photos and videos that are not stored anywhere else.
• Text and captions that you may want to reuse later.
• Business contact details that you are permitted to keep under the applicable rules.
• Invoices, agreements and other administrative information.
• Collaboration data for which obligations still apply.
• Proof of permission for content created by other people.

An export is an archive. It is not a complete Instagram profile that you can restore later with one click. After permanent deletion, you must start again with a new account.

How do you check that you are deleting the correct Instagram profile?

Open the profile you want to remove and note the exact username. Also check the profile photo and linked email address. Verify this information again in the Accounts Centre.

Do you have personal, creator and business profiles? Check each one separately. Do not rush through the confirmation screens. The same Accounts Centre can contain multiple Instagram accounts and Facebook profiles.

For a business account, first check who owns it. Ask the responsible person for permission. Inform colleagues if they will lose access or still need files from the profile.

Which security checks should you complete first?

Check that only you can access the account. Change your password if you have any concerns. Also secure the email address linked to Instagram. Someone with access to your email may be able to reset your password.

Review unfamiliar devices and linked accounts. Log out of sessions you do not recognise. This helps prevent someone else from making changes during the cancellation period.

How do you submit the final deletion request?

1. Log in to the Instagram account you want to delete.
2. Check the username and profile photo.
3. Open your profile, then tap or click the menu.
4. Go to the Accounts Centre.
5. Choose Personal details.
6. Choose Account ownership and control.
7. Open Deactivation or deletion.
8. Select the correct Instagram profile.
9. Choose Delete account.
10. Tap or click Continue.
11. If required, choose a reason for deleting the account.
12. Enter your password again when Instagram asks for it.
13. Read the date and terms on the confirmation screen.
14. Confirm the deletion request.

If necessary, take a screenshot of the confirmation and displayed date. Save it somewhere secure. Do not share it if it contains a username, email address or other personal information.

Can you cancel a deletion request, and what disappears?

You can only cancel a deletion request while Instagram continues to display a cancellation option for your request. Meta states that an Instagram account is usually permanently deleted 30 days after the request. The exact number of days can vary by region.

The date on your own confirmation screen is therefore the one that matters. Want to stop the request? Log in well before that date. Follow the option to cancel deletion if Instagram provides it. Do not wait until the final day, as a technical issue or login problem may prevent you from acting in time.

During the period before final deletion, Meta says your content is not accessible to other Instagram users. This does not mean you automatically receive a recovery guarantee lasting 30 days. Always check the information displayed for your own account.

What is permanently deleted?

Instagram lists your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers as items that are permanently deleted. You also lose access to that account’s export function once deletion is final.

• Your profile page disappears.
• Your posted photos and videos disappear.
• Your comments and likes are removed.
• Your followers and following list are no longer available through that profile.
• You can no longer log in to view old data.
• You can no longer request a new export from the deleted account.

Meta also says the technical deletion process can take up to 90 days. Copies may remain in backup storage for longer. This may be necessary for recovering from errors, security purposes or legal obligations. It does not mean your profile remains visible throughout that period.

For linked Meta services, carefully check which profile you selected. Deleting an Instagram account is not the same as deleting a Facebook account. Selecting the wrong profile in the Accounts Centre can have significant consequences.

Can you use the same username again later?

Meta says you may be able to register again with the same username after deletion. This is only possible if no one else has taken the name in the meantime. If Instagram removed an account for a violation, reusing the username may not be possible.

Never assume that you will keep your name. Might you want to use the username, content and followers again later? Temporary deactivation is usually the better option.

What problems can occur when deleting your account?

Why can’t Instagram delete the account for you?

For security reasons, you must be able to log in yourself and confirm the request. Meta will not simply delete an account for someone who cannot prove they have access. This helps prevent another person from wiping your profile.

Forgotten your password? First restore access through the official login help. Also check whether you still have access to the linked email address or mobile number.

What should you do if your Instagram account has been hacked?

Do not request deletion immediately if someone else has access. Secure your email address first. Then change your Instagram password and check unfamiliar devices, sessions and linked accounts.

Use the official recovery process at instagram.com/hacked when necessary. Open the page yourself in your browser. Do not trust recovery messages from unknown people who ask for money or your password.

The guide Instagram account hacked: what should you do immediately? helps you follow the correct sequence. Only after regaining full control can you safely decide whether to delete the account.

Why can’t you see the Delete account button?

You may be in the wrong part of the Accounts Centre. The list of linked accounts sometimes includes an option to remove an account from the centre. This only disconnects the account and does not automatically delete the Instagram profile.

Go back and look for Personal details. Then open Account ownership and control, followed by Deactivation or deletion. Update the app if these sections are missing.

You can also try a mobile browser or computer. First check that you are logged in to the correct account. A saved browser session can quietly take you to a different profile.

What if Instagram keeps freezing?

Close the app completely, then open it again. Check your internet connection and install any available updates. Still not working? Try Instagram.com in a browser.

Do not submit the request several times in quick succession. First check whether a confirmation or deletion date is already displayed. Save a screenshot when the request succeeds.

What should you do with a business Instagram account?

Do not delete a business account without permission. Check who owns the original media and who is responsible for customer data, collaborations and administration.

Download important files and record when the deletion request was submitted. Tell colleagues the date when access will end. Also check whether other services depend on the Instagram account.

Does the business only want a different manager or strategy? Permanent deletion is usually unnecessary in that situation. Adjust roles, security and content before making a final decision.

Frequently asked questions about permanently deleting Instagram

Where can I find the option to permanently delete Instagram?

Open the Accounts Centre. Go to Personal details, Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion. Select the correct Instagram profile and choose Delete account.

Can I delete Instagram through the app?

Yes. Open your profile in the Instagram app and use the menu to access the Accounts Centre. The option is available on iPhone and Android. The exact location and button names may change slightly after an update.

Can I delete my Instagram account using a computer?

Yes. Log in through Instagram.com. Open More, go to Settings, then open the Accounts Centre. Follow the path through personal details and account ownership and control.

Is deleting the Instagram app enough?

No. If you only delete the app from your mobile, your account remains. Your profile, photos, videos, comments and followers will still be on Instagram.

Can I recover a permanently deleted Instagram account?

Not after deletion has been finalised. You can only stop the request while Instagram still displays a cancellation option. Check the date on your own account’s confirmation screen.

Is the cancellation period always exactly 30 days?

No. Meta usually mentions 30 days, but also says the number of days can vary by region. Do not rely only on a general period. The date and options shown in your own account are what matter.

What happens during the cancellation period?

According to Meta, your content is not accessible to other Instagram users during this period. Want to cancel the request? Log in before the displayed date and follow the cancellation option.

Why can the technical deletion take up to 90 days?

Meta may need time to remove data from different systems and backup storage. Copies may be kept for longer for security, recovery from failures or legal reasons. This does not mean your profile must remain visible.

Will my Facebook account also be deleted?

Not automatically. Deleting an Instagram account is different from deleting a Facebook account. Even so, carefully check which profile you select in the Accounts Centre.

Can I remove only my followers?

Yes. You do not need to delete your entire account to tidy your audience. You can remove individual followers, make your account private or block unwanted accounts.

Is it better to deactivate my Instagram account first?

Yes, particularly if you are unsure. Temporary deactivation hides your profile and content. You can return later by reactivating the account. Permanent deletion is more suitable when you know for certain that you do not want to return.

What is the most important step before I delete Instagram?

Request an export of your data first. Wait until the file is available, download it and check that you can open important photos, videos and information.

What should I check immediately before confirming?

Check the username, profile photo and linked account. Then read the deletion date and terms. This helps you avoid deleting the wrong profile or confusing temporary deactivation with permanent deletion.

Start by opening the Accounts Centre and creating an export. Then decide whether deletion is genuinely necessary. Do you only want some peace, less visibility or a tidier follower list? Choose a temporary or targeted solution. Do you want to stop permanently? Follow the deletion path, note the displayed date and check the correct profile one final time before confirming.