How to delete Instagram account: A step-by-step guide [2024]

It is the age of social media, and almost everyone has at least one social media account. Sometimes, though, you may need to deactivate your account or completely delete some of your social media accounts. This could be due to privacy concerns or because you feel like leaving a particular social media platform.

If it is Instagram, this guide will show you exactly how to delete Instagram account. If it Facebook you wish to delete or deactivate, this guide will show you how to do it as well.

We will discuss these two options: You may temporarily deactivate the account or delete it permanently. 

Delete or deactivate? Making the right choice

It can be confusing to determine whether to deactivate or delete your Instagram account. None of the two options is necessarily good or bad; it depends on what you want.

Deactivating Your Instagram Account

Deactivating your account means making it inactive for a while. This means your profile and pictures become invisible online, but your data remains intact, and nothing is deleted. 

The advantage of this option is that you can always reactivate the account and get back all your data and posts with nothing missing. 

Deleting Your Instagram Account

This option means you are deleting your account permanently. This is the option for you if you wish to leave Instagram for good with no intention of coming back.

If you go for it, you’ll lose all your data and photos with no chance of recovering them. If you later decide to come back to the platform, you’ll need to create a new account and none of your previous information will be available.

Option 1: How to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account

To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account, follow these simple steps.

1. Log into your Instagram account online, as you cannot deactivate the app.
2. Click on More on the bottom-left and click on Settings from the options.

3. Under Accounts Center, click on Personal Details.

4. Now click on Personal Details again and select Account ownership and control.

5. On the pop-up, click Deactivation or deletion.

6. Click on the account you wish to deactivate.

7. On the next page, you’ll see Deactivate account selected by default, so just click on the blue Continue button.

8. You’ll then be required to enter your password and click on Submit.

9. Next, select the reason for deactivating the account and click on Continue.
10. Finally, click Deactivate account. 

Once you conclude the process, your profile and photos will become invisible, but your information and content will remain safe until you reactivate the account.

Whenever you want to reactivate, simply log into the account with your credentials and you’ll get back your account with all the content intact. 

Option 2: How to delete your Instagram account

1. Log into the Instagram account you wish to delete online.
2. Click on More on the bottom-left and click on Settings from the options.

3. Under Accounts Center, click on Personal Details.
4. 
5. Click on Personal Details again in the options and select Account ownership and control.

6. On the pop-up, click Deactivation or deletion.

7. Click on the account you wish to delete.

8. On the next page, select Delete account and click on the Continue button.

9. You’ll then be required to enter your password and click on Submit.
10. Next, select the reason for deleting the account and click on Continue.
11. Finally, click Delete account.

After clicking on Delete account, your profile and content will be permanently erased with no chance of recovery. 

If you decide to come back to Instagram, you’ll need to create a new account from scratch as there will be no trace of the old account profile. 

Final thoughts 

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll have the most current and effective methods for deleting or deactivating your Instagram account.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out.