Since its debut in 2010, Instagram has grown into one of the largest social platforms. Initially centered around photo sharing, the network has expanded to include chat, stories, and shopping features.
Instagram is a favorite across all age groups, with millions of users logging in daily. It has also evolved into a key business tool for influencers and companies, reaching a diverse range of consumers.
But what if you wanted to leave the media and delete your Instagram account? What if you wanted to quit Instagram entirely?
With this how-to guide, I will show you how to delete or temporarily disable your Instagram account, how to save your Instagram photos and how to log out of Instagram on both iOS and Android.
There are two ways to turn off your Instagram account. The first one is to delete your Instagram account permanently. By deleting your account permanently, you are giving up the right to ever recover it, and Instagram will delete all of your information from its database.
The second way to “delete” your account is to temporarily disable it. This means that your account will no longer appear on the network and will be virtually non-existent, but you will always have the option to enable it again.
How to delete your Instagram on iPhone permanently
Here's how to delete your Instagram account on your iPhone or iPad using the Instagram app:
Go to your profile picture in the bottom right corner to open your profile.
Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
Select "Settings" and then "Accounts Center."
Tap "Personal Details" and then "Account Ownership and Control."
Choose "Deactivation or Deletion" and select the account you want to delete.
Tap "Delete Account" and then "Continue."
Enter your password and choose a reason for leaving.
Tap "Delete Account" to confirm.
How to delete your Instagram on Android permanently
While deleting an Instagram account is possible through the app on iOS, it currently isn't available for Android. For Android users, deleting the account requires a web browser on your phone or a computer:
You log in through your browser – for example, Chrome.
From there you follow the instructions and delete your account.
Remember that deleting your Instagram account is permanent, meaning you won't be able to get your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers back once it's gone.
How to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account
How to deactivate your Instagram account on iPhone
Temporarily deactivating your Instagram account follows the same steps as deleting it using the app on iOS:
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture
Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner
Select Settings and then Accounts Center
Tap Personal Details and then Account Ownership and Control
Choose Deactivation or Deletion and select the account you want to deactivate
Tap Deactivate Account and then Continue.
Enter your password and choose a reason for deactivating
Tap "Deactivate Account" to confirm.
How to deactivate your Instagram account on Android
If you have an Android device and want to deactivate your Instagram account, you'll need to use a web browser on your phone or a computer. Here's how:
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Open a web browser on your phone or computer and go to the Instagram website
Log in to your Instagram account
Navigate to your profile page
Click on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner
Select Settings and then Accounts Center
Tap Personal Details and then Account Ownership and Control
Choose Deactivation or Deletion and select the account you want to deactivate
Tap Deactivate Account and then Continue.
Enter your password and choose a reason for deactivating
How to deactivate your Instagram account on a PC
To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account on a PC:
You log into Instagram in your browser
Navigate to Settings
After that you click on Accounts Center
Select Personal Details
Then you click on the Account Ownership and Control
Find Deactivation or Deletion and follow the instructions.
Deactivating your account is temporary. Your profile, photos, and likes will be hidden until you reactivate your account by logging in again.
How to download your Instagram photos
How to download your Instagram photos on iPhone or Android
To download the photos you uploaded on Instagram:
You open the mobile app.
From there you go to your profile section and tap on options, which can be found in the top right corner appearing as three dash lines.
Then you tap on Your Activity
Then tap on Download your information
Click Continue
Click Download or transfer information
Select the profiles that you'd like to download information from
Choose if you want to download your information to a device or directly transfer your information to a destination, and click Next
Click Create file
Keep in mind that it may take up to 30 days for Instagram to send you your files.
How to log out of your Instagram account
How to log out of Instagram on iOS or Android
To log out of your account:
You open the Instagram app.
Then you click on your profile section.
From there you click on “Options”, which can be found in the top right corner appearing as three dash lines.
After that you click on “Settings” and scroll down until you see the “Log Out” button.
You tap it once, then tap again on Log Out and you're done.
Note that if you want your profile to be forgotten from the device after you logged out, you should:
Click on the Edit button found on the login page of your Instagram app.
After that, you click on the X symbol, which is on the right side of the "Log In" button of your account and you are forgotten from the app.
Also note that if your sign-in info is saved on the keychain feature of your Google or Apple ID account, your account information will not be fully forgotten from the device.
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Iskren, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been passionate about technology since his childhood, sparked by his early experiences with phones like the Ericsson T28 and Sony Ericsson P910i. After earning a bachelor's degree in Media and Journalism, he turned his fascination with smartphones into a career, with a particular interest in Apple and Motorola. Outside of his tech pursuits, Iskren enjoys watching TV series, movies, driving, and has a deep passion for cars and Formula 1. He looks forward to the future of mobile tech, particularly the potential of rollable smartphones.
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