Instagram has two similar-looking choices with very different results. Deactivation hides your profile temporarily. Deletion starts a 30-day countdown toward permanent removal.
Does this affect you?
Use this for personal, Creator, or Business Instagram accounts in the app or on instagram.com when you want to remove the account.
Permanently delete your account
This removes the account after the grace period.
- Open Instagram or use a mobile browser.
- Go to your profile and open Settings.
- Open Accounts Center.
- Choose Personal details.
- Select Account ownership and control.
- Tap Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose the Instagram account and select Delete account.
- Confirm with your password and submit the deletion request.
Temporarily disable instead
Use this if you only want a break.
- Open your profile and choose Edit Profile.
- Scroll to Temporarily deactivate my account.
- Choose a reason if prompted.
- Re-enter the password.
- Confirm temporary deactivation.
- Log back in later to restore the account.
More control
Download your information first
Use Accounts Center > Your information and permissions > Download your information to request photos, videos, comments, and messages before deletion. The archive can take time to prepare.
Logging in cancels deletion
If you sign back in during the 30-day grace period, Instagram cancels the deletion and restores the account. After permanent deletion, the username may eventually be released.
Check Meta connections
If Instagram is linked to Facebook, Threads, or third-party apps through Accounts Center, review those connections before deletion so you understand what else may be affected.
Sources
- Instagram Help Center – Permanently delete your Instagram account (2025)
- Instagram Help Center – Temporarily disable your Instagram account (2025)
- Meta Help Center – Download your information (2025)