Instagram Help Center

If you temporarily disable your account, your profile, photos, comments and likes will be hidden until you reactivate it by logging back in. You can only disable your Instagram account from a computer or mobile browser.

To temporarily disable your account:

You’ll need to be able to log into your account to temporarily disable it. If you can't remember your password or username, see some tips for logging in.

If you don't want to disable your account but want to change who can see it, you can set your posts to private or block people.

Note: Follow these instructions if you'd like to delete your Instagram account.

After your account is deleted, you can sign up again with the same username or add that username to another account as long as it hasn't been taken by a new person on Instagram.

Keep in mind that if your account is removed for violating Community Guidelines, you may not be able to sign up again with the same username.

For security reasons, we can't delete an account for you. You’ll need to be able to log into your account to request deletion. If you can't remember your password or username, see some tips for logging in.

To request the permanent deletion of your account:

Before deleting your account, you may want to log in and download a copy of your information (like your photos and posts) from Instagram. After your account has been deleted, you will not have access to Instagram’s Data Download tool.

1. Go to the Delete Your Account page from a mobile browser or computer. If you're not logged into Instagram on the web, you'll be asked to log in first. You can't delete your account from within the Instagram app.
2. Select an option from the dropdown menu next to Why are you deleting your account? and re-enter your password. The option to permanently delete your account will only appear after you've selected a reason from the menu.
3. Click or tap Delete [username].

If you'd like to delete a different account:

1. Click or tap the username in the top-right of the Delete Your Account page.
2. Click or tap next to Edit Profile and select Log Out.
3. Log back in as the account you want to delete and follow the directions above.

After 30 days of your account deletion request, your account and all your information will be permanently deleted, and you won't be able to retrieve your information. During those 30 days the content remains subject to Instagram’s Terms of Use and Data Policy and is not accessible to other people using Instagram.

It may take up to 90 days to complete the deletion process after it begins. Copies of your content may remain after the 90 days in backup storage that we use to recover in the event of a disaster, software error, or other data loss event. We may also keep your information for things like legal issues, terms violations, or harm prevention efforts. Learn more about this in our Data Policy .

You're in control of your data on Instagram. You can view your account data or download a copy of your data on Instagram at any time.

Reviewing your data on Instagram

Downloading a copy of your data on Instagram

If you want a copy of everything you've shared on Instagram, you can request a download of your data in a machine readable (JSON) format. You'll need your Instagram account password to request this information. Learn more if you've forgotten your password or can't log in.

Note: It may take up to 48 hours for us to email you a download link. Some data you have deleted may be stored temporarily for safety and security purposes, but will not appear when you access or download your data.

If you can't access your Instagram Account and still want to download a copy of your data, you can contact us.