Social media addiction is real, and you will often find yourself succumbing to it if not kept in check. Instagram has become one such highly addictive social media platform, thanks (or not) to the unlimited supply of Reels and a large variety of content. So, if you have been finding yourself being unproductive and spending way too much time on the platform, it is time to take a break. To make things easier and faster for you, we have outlined the steps to deactivate or delete your Instagram account. So, without any further ado, let’s take a look.
Deactivate or Delete Instagram Account on Android & iOS
The process of deactivating or deleting your Instagram account is the same, whether you are on Android or iOS. We are using an Android device to outline the steps to do the same below. However, the process of deleting or deactivating an Instagram account is slightly different on the web version. We have made separate sections to make things easier for you to understand. So, let’s get into it:
1. Open the Instagram app and head over to your Instagram profile section.
2. Then, tap on the hamburger menu in the top right corner of your screen.
![Heading over to Instagram profile](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Android-and-iOS-1.jpg?w=501)
3. Next, select the Settings and privacy option and go to Accounts Center.
![Navigating to Meta's Accounts Centre via Instagram on Android](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Android-and-iOS-2.jpg?w=501)
4. Here, tap on the Personal details option and select Account ownership and control.
![Personal details tab on in Meta Accounts Centre](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Android-and-iOS-3.jpg?w=501)
5. Now, you will see the Deactivation or deletion option. Select this and then, on the next page, select your Instagram account. If you want to delete or deactivate your Facebook account, you can select your Facebook account from here as well.
6. Then, you will get to the options to either Deactivate account or Delete account on the next page. Both of these options lead you through the same final steps. So, choose the one that you want to go ahead with.
![Choosing to deactivate or delete Instagram account](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Android-and-iOS-4.jpg?w=750)
7. After that, you will be prompted to re-enter your Instagram password. Once done, tap on the Continue button.
8. On the next page, select the reason you are choosing to deactivate or delete your Instagram account. Then, scroll down to find and hit the Continue button again.
9. Finally, hit Deactivate or Delete account on the confirmation page, and that’s it.
![Confirmation the deactivation of Instagram account](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Android-and-iOS-5.jpg?w=750)
Deactivate or Delete Instagram Account on the Web
1. Head over to Instagram on your desktop and click on the “More” hamburger icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
2. Then, select the Settings option in the pop-up menu.
![Settings panel on Instagram Web](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Web-1-2.jpg?w=750)
3. Here, you will see the Accounts Center and move to the Personal details section on the next page.
![Navigating to the Meta Accounts Centre on Instagram Web](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Web-3.jpg?w=750)
4. Once here, you will see the Account ownership and control panel and click on it.
![Finding the Account ownership and control panel on Instagram Web](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Web-4.jpg?w=750)
5. A pop-up window will then appear where you will need to click on the Deactivation or deletion option.
6. Select your Instagram account here, and you will see the dedicated buttons to Deactivate or Delete your Instagram account. Select the option most favorable to you.
![Getting to the Deactivation and deletion option on Instagram Web](https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/How-to-deactivate-or-delete-Instagram-on-Web-5.jpg?w=750)
The rest of the steps will be the same as the Instagram app on Android and iOS. Follow those steps, and you will be able to deactivate or delete your Instagram account on the web version as well.
So, that is how you can easily deactivate or delete your account. Did you know that if you deactivate or delete your Instagram account, your Threads account gets deactivated or deleted as well? So, make a note of that if you want to keep your Threads account. On the other hand, if you want to delete or deactivate your Threads account, it won’t affect your main Instagram account. With that being said, do let us know in the comments if the guide helped you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How long can we deactivate Instagram account?
Once you deactivate, there is no time limit on when you can reactivate. You can reactivate it whenever you want to by simply logging back in. However, do note that you can deactivate your account only once a week.
Q. Why can’t I deactivate my Instagram account?
If you are unable to deactivate your Instagram account, you are probably seeing a Weekly limit reached message when trying to do so. That is because Instagram does not allow you to deactivate your account more than once in a week. So, you will have to wait for 7 days to be able to deactivate your account again. If you have not deactivated your account recently and are unable to deactivate it, chances are that your Instagram app has glitched out. Simply clearing the cache or reinstalling will help.
Q. What is the difference between deactivating and deleting Instagram account?
Deactivating your Instagram account is an instant and temporary process. If you want to take a break from Instagram, this is the way to go. Once you deactivate your Instagram account, your likes, replies, followers, and other data are temporarily hidden on the platform.
However, it is very easy to reactivate your Instagram account again, as all you have to do is simply log back in. The process of deleting your Instagram account is a bit more complex. Once you submit an account deletion request, a 30-day window is initiated. Within these 30 days, you can undo the account deletion process at any point by just logging back in. However, you will lose access to your account after that.
Then, after 90 days, your Instagram account will be permanently deleted. If you want to use Instagram again, you will need to create a new account.