In today’s digital age, social media platforms like Instagram have become an integral part of our lives. However, there may come a time when you decide that Instagram is no longer serving your needs or you simply want to disconnect from the online world. If you have made the decision to permanently delete your Instagram account, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of how to delete Instagram account.
Things to Consider Before Deleting Your Instagram Account
Before you take the final step of how to delete Instagram account, there are a few important factors to consider:
Permanently Deleting vs. Deactivating Your Account
It’s essential to understand the difference between permanently deleting your Instagram account and deactivating it. When you deactivate your account, your profile, photos, videos, and other details are hidden from other users, but you can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in.
On the other hand, permanently deleting your account means that all your content, including photos, reels, comments, likes, and followers, will be permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
Irreversible Nature of Account Deletion
Once you delete your Instagram account, there is no turning back. Instagram provides a 30-day grace period during which you can change your mind and reactivate your account. However, after this period, your account and all associated data will be permanently deleted, and there is no way to recover it.
Backup Your Account Data
Before proceeding with the deletion process, it’s crucial to back up your account data to ensure you have a copy of your photos, videos, archived posts, and other relevant information. Instagram provides a data download tool that allows you to download a copy of your account data. This will ensure that you have a backup in case you ever need to access your information in the future.
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Now that you are aware of these important considerations, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of how to delete Instagram account.
Step 1: Access Your Account Settings
To begin the process of how to delete instagram account, follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app on your mobile device or visit the Instagram website on your computer.
- Log in to your account using your username and password.
- Once logged in, navigate to your profile by tapping on the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the app or clicking on your profile picture on the website.
Step 2: Navigate to Account Settings
After accessing your profile, you need to navigate to the account settings section. Here’s how:
- On the Instagram app, tap on the menu icon (three lines) located in the top right corner of the screen.
- Scroll down and select the “Settings” option.
- On the settings page, tap on the “Account” option.
If you are using Instagram on a computer, you can directly access the account settings by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner and selecting the “Settings” option from the dropdown menu.
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Step 3: Initiate the Account Deletion Process
Once you are in the account settings section, you can proceed with deleting your Instagram account. Follow these steps:
- Scroll down to the bottom of the account settings page and select the “Delete Account” option.
- Instagram will provide you with information about the consequences of deleting your account. Make sure you read this information carefully to understand the implications.
- If you still wish to proceed with deleting your account, select the “Permanently Delete Account” option.
Step 4: Confirm Your Decision
After selecting the “Permanently Delete Account” option, Instagram will ask you to confirm your decision. Follow these steps:
- Instagram will display a confirmation message, asking if you are sure about permanently deleting your account.
- Read the confirmation message and ensure that you understand the irreversible nature of this action.
- If you are certain about deleting your account, click on the “Yes, I’m sure” button.
Step 5: Provide a Reason for Deleting Your Account
As a final step, Instagram will ask you to provide a reason for deleting your account. This information is optional, but it can help Instagram understand user feedback and improve their platform. Follow these steps:
- Instagram will present you with a dropdown menu containing various reasons for deleting your account.
- Select the reason that best fits your decision to delete your account.
- Once you have selected a reason, Instagram may prompt you with additional options or ask for further feedback. You can choose to provide additional information or skip this step.
Step 6: Enter Your Password and Delete Your Account
To complete the account deletion process, Instagram will require you to enter your password. Follow these steps:
- Enter your Instagram account password in the provided field.
- After entering your password, click on the “Delete” button.
Step 7: Account Deletion Confirmation
Once you have entered your password and clicked on the “Delete” button, Instagram will confirm the deletion of your account. Follow these steps:
- Instagram will display a final confirmation message, stating that your account has been scheduled for deletion.
- You will also receive an email from Instagram confirming the deletion request.
- At this point, your Instagram account is no longer publicly visible, and the deletion process will be completed within 30 days.
Step 8: Consider Backing Up Your Data
While the deletion process is irreversible, it’s essential to consider backing up your account data before the 30-day grace period ends. This will allow you to retain a copy of your photos, videos, and other information for future reference.
How to delete Instagram account on iPhone
To delete your Instagram account on an iPhone, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app: Locate the Instagram app icon on your iPhone’s home screen and tap on it to launch the app.
- Log in (if necessary): If you’re not already logged in, enter your Instagram username and password to access your account.
- Go to your profile: Tap on the profile icon located at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will take you to your Instagram profile page.
- Access the settings: Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) at the top-right corner of the screen. This will open the Instagram menu.
- Navigate to Settings: Scroll down the menu and tap on “Settings” located at the bottom of the list. This will open your Instagram settings.
- Select “Account”: Within the settings menu, tap on “Account” to access your account-related options.
- Choose “Delete Account”: Scroll down the “Account” settings page and tap on the “Delete Account” option. Instagram will provide some information about deleting your account, so make sure to read it thoroughly.
- Provide a reason (optional): Instagram will ask you to select a reason for deleting your account. You can choose an option from the provided list, or you can select “Something else” if none of the options apply.
- Enter your password: To confirm your decision to delete the account, you’ll need to enter your Instagram account password.
- Delete your account: Once you’ve entered your password, tap on the “Permanently delete my account” button to initiate the deletion process. After this step, your account will be deactivated, and your profile, photos, videos, comments, and followers will be permanently removed.
It’s important to note that deleting your Instagram account is irreversible. If you’re unsure about permanently deleting your account, you can also choose to temporarily disable it instead, which allows you to reactivate it in the future.
How to delete Instagram account on Android
To delete your Instagram account on an Android device, you can follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app: Locate the Instagram app icon on your Android device’s home screen or app drawer and tap on it to launch the app.
- Log in (if necessary): If you’re not already logged in, enter your Instagram username and password to access your account.
- Go to your profile: Tap on the profile icon located at the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will take you to your Instagram profile page.
- Access the settings: Tap on the three horizontal lines (hamburger icon) at the top-right corner of the screen. This will open the Instagram menu.
- Navigate to Settings: Scroll down the menu and tap on “Settings” located at the bottom of the list. This will open your Instagram settings.
- Select “Security”: Within the settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Security” to access account security options.
- Tap on “Account Removal”: In the “Security” settings, look for the “Account Removal” option and tap on it. This will take you to the account deletion page.
- Choose “Delete Your Account”: On the account deletion page, tap on “Delete Your Account” to proceed with deleting your Instagram account.
- Provide a reason (optional): Instagram will ask you to select a reason for deleting your account. You can choose an option from the provided list, or you can select “Something else” if none of the options apply.
- Enter your password: To confirm your decision to delete the account, you’ll need to enter your Instagram account password.
- Delete your account: Once you’ve entered your password, tap on the “Permanently delete my account” button to initiate the deletion process. After this step, your account will be deactivated, and your profile, photos, videos, comments, and followers will be permanently removed.
Remember that deleting your Instagram account is irreversible. If you’re unsure about permanently deleting your account, you can also choose to temporarily disable it instead, which allows you to reactivate it in the future.
Conclusion
Deleting your Instagram account can be a significant decision, and it’s essential to understand the implications and take the necessary steps to back up your data. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this guide, you can successfully delete your Instagram account permanently. Remember to carefully consider your decision before proceeding, as account deletion is irreversible.