Instagram does not easily let users delete or deactivate their account. We explain the process from a computer, iPhone or Android smartphone.

How to permanently delete your Instagram account

If you want to permanently delete your Instagram account, the social network offers a different, but well-hidden option. It does not appear in the settings of the Android app or website and you will have to go to a separate page, either on your computer or smartphone.

After your deletion request, however, all data will not be deleted directly from Instagram’s servers. The social network will simply hide them for a month – like a simple deactivation – before deleting them permanently. This gives you time to recover your account if you change your mind.

Delete an Instagram account from an Android smartphone

1. Login to your Instagram account on your phone’s browser
2. Enter the address “https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/” in the navigation bar
3. Select the reason for suspending your account
4. Enter your password
5. Click on “delete [account name]”

Delete an Instagram account from an iPhone

1. Sign in to your Instagram account on your iPhone application
2. Tap on your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen
3. Tap on the three horizontal bars at the top right of the screen
4. Go to Settings
5. Tap on “Delete Account
6. Confirm by validating the “Delete Account” option

Delete an Instagram account from a computer

1. Log into your Instagram account on your phone’s browser
2. Enter the address “https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/” in the navigation bar
3. Select the reason for suspending your account
4. Enter your password
5. Click on “delete [account name]”

How to deactivate your Instagram account

You can temporarily deactivate your Instagram account quite easily, either in the app or on the web version of the social network. Be careful though, this is not a permanent deletion, but simply a suspension. Your data will therefore be kept by Instagram, but you will be able to retrieve them later if you want to return.

Moreover, the temporary deactivation of an Instagram account cannot be done from the mobile application on Android. You will necessarily have to go through an Internet browser, whether on a computer or on your smartphone.

Temporarily deactivate your Instagram account from a computer

1. Open Instagram.com
2. Click on your profile picture at the top right of the screen
3. Click on “Settings
4. Open the “edit profile” tab
5. Click on “Temporarily deactivate my account
6. Select the reason for suspending your account
7. Enter your password
8. Click on “Temporarily deactivate account

Deactivate your Instagram account from an Android smartphone

1. Open Instagram.com
2. Click on your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen
3. Click on the cogwheel at the top left of the screen
4. Go to the “edit profile” menu
5. Tap on “Temporarily deactivate my account
6. Select the reason for suspending your account
7. Enter your password
8. Click on “Temporarily deactivate account

Deactivate your Instagram account from an iPhone

1. Log in to your Instagram account on your iPhone application
2. Tap on your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen
3. Tap on the three horizontal bars at the top right of the screen
4. Go to the Settings
5. Tap on “Delete Account
6. Select the “Deactivate Account” option

How to reactivate your Instagram account

If you have decided to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account, you can simply log back into the social network at any time to reactivate it.

However, if you have decided to permanently delete your Instagram account, you only have 30 days to change your mind. After this time, the data and your photos will be deleted from the social network.