Delete Instagram account permanently

You can permanently delete your Instagram account through the Account Center. Go to Personal details, choose Account ownership and control, and 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. With deactivation, your profile is hidden until you log in again. With deletion, Instagram starts a final deletion process. Meta normally mentions a 30-day period in which cancellation may still be possible. That period can vary by region. Always check the date in your own confirmation screen.

Do you have multiple Instagram profiles or a linked Facebook account? Then check carefully which username and profile photo you select. Removing an account from the Account Center 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 Account Center. There you manage personal details and connected profiles. The usual path is Personal details, Account ownership and control, and Deactivation or deletion.

Then select the Instagram profile you want to remove. Choose Delete account and tap or click Continue. Instagram may ask why you want to leave. You may also need to re-enter your password. Then follow the confirmation on screen.

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

First make a clear distinction between these actions:

• Permanently delete an Instagram account: you request final deletion of the chosen account and its content.
• Temporarily deactivate Instagram: your profile and content are hidden until you reactivate the account.
• Remove an account from the Account Center: you break the connection between accounts. The Instagram profile itself is not automatically deleted.
• Delete the Instagram app: you only remove the app from your phone. Your account, messages, and followers remain.

The third and fourth options often cause confusion. Removing the app has no effect on your profile. Unlinking Facebook and Instagram is also not a request for permanent deletion.

Do you want to stop because your reach is disappointing, but keep your photos and profile? Then first see whether a new approach fits better. You could work on a clearer profile and more focused reach. SocialKings offers options to buy Instagram followers and buy Instagram likes. Use such options only if you want to keep the account. They are not needed 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 and its content. Temporary deactivation is for a break. When you deactivate, Instagram hides your profile, photos, comments, and likes. They become visible again when you reactivate the account.

Still unsure? Then choose the least final option first. Deactivating, making your account private, or removing unwanted followers gives you time to decide calmly. That helps you avoid losing photos, videos, and contacts unnecessarily.

Want to step away temporarily? In our guide on temporarily deactivating Instagram, you can read what gets hidden and how to come back later.

Do you mainly want to get rid of unknown or unwanted accounts? Then you do not need to delete your entire Instagram profile. First see how to remove Instagram followers. That way you solve the problem without giving up your profile, photos, and messages.

Maybe you do not want to stop, but rebuild your existing profile. Then first improve your bio, post clear content, and check which posts perform well. For videos, you can also look into Instagram views. Only make this choice if you are sure you want to keep the account.

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

The delete option is in the Account Center on iPhone, Android, and computer. The location of a button can change slightly after an update. So always start by looking for Account Center and then the settings for ownership and control.

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. Then open the Account Center. Choose Personal details, then Account ownership and control, and 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 the 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 and then Settings. Open the Account Center. Then 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. Preferably use your own computer and a secure internet connection. Are you using a shared device? Then log out afterwards and do not let the browser save your password.

Meta says permanent deletion is possible through a phone or computer. Can you not find the path? Update the Instagram app. Then fully close it and open it again. You can also try Instagram.com in a browser.

Do not open a deletion link from an unknown email or strange private message. Such a link may be meant to steal your login details. Always open Instagram or the official Account Center yourself.

How do you safely delete Instagram step by step?

Safe deletion starts with exporting your data. After that, you check the correct profile, secure access, and only then submit the request. Do not skip a step if it concerns a business account or a profile with important memories.

Which Instagram data should you save first?

First request an export. After permanent deletion, you no longer have access to that account’s export function. Open the Account Center and go to Your information and permissions. Choose Export your information and then Create export.

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

An export with lots of videos and high media quality can be large. So check in advance how much storage space is available. Preferably use a device that only you can access.

Meta says it can take up to 30 days for an export to be ready. When a download becomes available, the official explanation says you have four days to collect the file. So request the export well before you send the deletion request.

Download the file and open a few photos, videos, and documents. Check that the important information is there and readable. A message saying the export is ready is not enough. You need to make sure the file actually works.

Also save important parts separately. Think of:

• Original photos and videos that are not stored anywhere else.
• Texts and captions you may want to reuse later.
• Business contact details you are allowed 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 others.

An export is an archive. It is not a full Instagram profile that you can restore with one click later. After permanent deletion, you have to start over with a new account.

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

Open the profile you want to remove and note the exact username. Also check the profile photo and linked email address. Then verify this information again in the Account Center.

Do you have a personal profile, creator profile, and business profile? Check them one by one. Do not rush through the confirmation screens. The same Account Center can contain multiple Instagram accounts and Facebook profiles.

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

Which security checks should you do first?

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

Review unknown devices and linked accounts. Log out sessions you do not recognize. That way you 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 and tap or click the menu.
4. Go to the Account Center.
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 needed, choose a reason for deleting.
12. Re-enter your password when Instagram asks for it.
13. Read the date and terms on the confirmation screen.
14. Confirm the deletion request.

If needed, take a screenshot of the confirmation and the date shown. Save it in a secure place. 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 still shows a cancellation option for your request. Meta states that an Instagram account is normally permanently deleted 30 days after the request. The exact number of days can vary by region.

So the date in your own confirmation screen is the one that matters. Do you want to stop the request? Then log in well before that date. Follow the option to cancel deletion if Instagram offers it. Do not wait until the last day, because a glitch or login problem may come too late.

During the period before final deletion, Meta says your content is not accessible to other Instagram users. That does not mean you automatically have a 30-day recovery guarantee. Always check the information shown for your own account.

What gets permanently deleted?

Instagram lists your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers as parts that are permanently deleted. You also lose access to the export function of that account once the 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 longer in backup storage. That may be necessary for recovery from errors, security, or legal obligations. This does not mean your profile stays visible during that entire period.

For linked Meta services, check carefully which profile you selected. Deleting an Instagram account is not the same as deleting a Facebook account. A wrong selection in the Account Center can have major consequences.

Can you use the same username again later?

Meta says you may be able to sign up again with the same username after deletion. That is only possible if nobody else has taken the name in the meantime. Was an account removed by Instagram for a violation? Then reusing the username may not be possible.

So never rely on keeping your name. Do you maybe want to use the username, content, and followers again later? Then temporary deactivation is usually the better choice.

What problems can you run into when deleting?

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 access. This helps prevent someone else from wiping out your profile.

Forgot your password? Then first restore your access through the official login help. Also check whether you still have access to the linked email address or phone number.

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

Do not request deletion right away if someone else has access. First secure your email address. Then change your Instagram password and check unknown devices, sessions, and linked accounts.

Use the official recovery route via instagram.com/hacked when needed. Open that 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 right order. Only after you have full control again can you safely decide whether to delete the account.

Why do you not see the Delete account button?

You may be in the wrong part of the Account Center. The list of linked accounts sometimes includes an option to remove an account from the center. That only breaks a connection and does not automatically delete the Instagram profile.

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

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

What if Instagram keeps freezing?

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

Do not submit the request several times in quick succession. First check whether you already see a confirmation or deletion date. 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 sent. Inform colleagues about the date access will end. Also check whether other services depend on the Instagram account.

Does the business only want a different manager or strategy? Then permanent deletion is usually not necessary. Adjust roles, security, and content before making a final choice.

Frequently asked questions about permanently deleting Instagram

Where do I find the function to permanently delete Instagram?

Open the Account Center. Go to Personal details, Account ownership and control, and 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 go through the menu to the Account Center. The function is available on iPhone and Android. The exact location and names of buttons may change slightly after an update.

Can I delete my Instagram account through a computer?

Yes. Log in via Instagram.com. Open More, go to Settings, and open the Account Center. Then follow the route through personal details and account ownership and control.

Is deleting the Instagram app enough?

No. If you only delete the app from your phone, 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 the deletion has been finalized. You can only stop the request while Instagram still shows a cancellation option. Check the date in the confirmation screen of your own account for that.

Is the cancellation period always exactly 30 days?

No. Meta normally mentions 30 days, but also says the number of days can vary by region. So do not rely only on a general timeframe. The date and options in your own account are the ones that 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? Then log in before the date shown 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 can be kept longer for security, recovery from failures, or legal reasons. That does not mean your profile must stay visible.

Will my Facebook account also be deleted?

Not automatically. Deleting an Instagram account is something different from deleting a Facebook account. Still, check carefully which profile you select in the Account Center.

Can I only remove my followers?

Yes. You do not have to delete your entire account to clean up 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, especially if you are unsure. With temporary deactivation, your profile and content are hidden. You can come back later by reactivating the account. Permanent deletion is better when you know for sure that you do not want to return.

What is the most important step before I delete Instagram?

First request an export of your data. Wait until the file is available, download it, and check whether important photos, videos, and information can be opened.

What should I check right before confirming?

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

So first open the Account Center and create an export. Then decide whether deletion is really necessary. Do you only want peace, less visibility, or a cleaned-up follower list? Then choose a temporary or targeted solution. Do you want to stop for good? Follow the deletion path, note the date shown, and check the correct profile one last time before the final confirmation.