According to DataReportal, the average Instagram user spends about 12 hours per month browsing the platform – whether that’s doomscrolling or not, it’s definitely enough time to watch six movies or get more than enough of the CDC’s recommended amount of weekly exercise. At the very least, a nice digital detox can help you cut back on stress and feelings of depression while honing your focus and sharpening up your sleep schedule. If you’re ready to make a change, here’s how to deactivate Instagram and take your first step toward that detox life.
To Delete, or Deactivate?
Whatever your reasons for wanting to take a temporary or permanent pause from Instagram, understand that deactivating and deleting your account are two different things. And as such, knowing how to deactivate Instagram is a whole different thing from knowing how to delete an Instagram account on iPhone or Android. First things first: choose the form of your digital detox.
What is Deletion?
Deletion is a much more permanent way of getting rid of your Instagram account than deactivating it. If you choose to delete your Insta, your profile and all of your photos and videos will be permanently removed from the platform, as will any trace of your likes and comments from the beginning of time. You’ll also lose your followers this way, so pro influencers and Kylie Jenner, beware.
Before you decide to delete your account forever, consider downloading a copy of your Instagram history (which includes your pics and posts) for your records. Here’s how to save your Instagram history:
- Across devices, you can find this option in your Accounts Center, under “information and permissions.”
- Hit the “Download your information option, and select your options (like a specific date range, photo quality, and download format).
- Then choose “Download to device” and “Create files.”
After a few days, Instagram will email you a link to download a copy of your Insta history.
What is Deactivation?
While deletion is the nuclear option, deactivating your Instagram account offers a more temporary solution for getting away from your socials. Think of it as a way to take a vacation from Instagram. When you choose this option, instead of permanently deleting all your content, Instagram simply hides your profile, pics, comments, and likes until you choose to reactivate.
And when you do reactivate, all of your content will be fully intact. Just like you left it.
How to Delete Instagram Account on iPhone, Android, and Desktop
Whether you want to delete your Instagram account on the mobile app for iOS or Android, your mobile browser, or your desktop, the process is consistent across platforms. In any case, you’ll need to start by logging in to your Instagram. From there:
- On the iOS or Android app, tap your profile pic, then “More options.” If you’re using a desktop browser, choose “More” from the main page, then click the settings gear symbol. On a mobile browser, just tap the settings gear at the top.
- Navigate to “Accounts Center.”
- Hit “Personal Details.”
- Choose “Account ownership and control.”
- Now select “Deactivation or deletion,” and then choose the account you’d like to delete.
- Finalize the decision with “Delete account,” then hit “Continue.”
Keep in mind that it may take Instagram up to 90 days to fully delete your account (they tend to keep copies of the account on record in case of accidental deletion). If you willfully delete your account and change your mind later, you can always sign back up with the same username, so long as it hasn’t been taken by anyone else.
How to Deactivate Instagram
Just like deleting your account, deactivating Instagram can be done via the mobile app, your mobile browser, or your desktop browser. The only difference in the process between the platforms is that you’ll take a slightly different path to get to your Accounts Center. In any case, just make sure you know your Insta’s username and password, and have that info stored somewhere safe before you deactivate. (We’ll get into why this is important later in this article.)
How to Deactivate Instagram Account on iPhone, Android, and Desktop
Don’t hesitate to detox and deactivate when the mood strikes you. With these simple steps, you can temporarily deactivate your Insta whenever you want (as long as you don’t want to do it more than once per week – that’s Instagram’s deactivation limit):
- On the iOS or Android app, tap your profile pic, then “More options.” If you’re using a desktop browser, choose “More” from the main page, then click the settings gear symbol. On a mobile browser, just tap the settings gear at the top.
- Navigate to “Accounts Center.”
- Hit “Personal Details.”
- Choose “Account ownership and control.”
- Now select “Deactivation or deletion,” and then choose the account you’d like to deactivate.
- Press “Continue,” re-enter your password when prompted, then hit “Continue” again.
- Choose your reason for deactivating from the listed options, and hit “Continue” once more.
- Lock it in – smash that “Deactivate account” button.
How to Reactivate Instagram
Having second thoughts? Feeling refreshed from your detox? Decided you actually can’t live without the abandoned profile your cousin made for his dog in 2017? No worries, reactivating your Instagram account is super easy. All you’ve got to do is log back into your account with your same old username and password – on any device, no matter where you deactivated the account – and you’re back in business.
Hello again, makeup influencers, Brooklyn black box comedians, and teenage lip-synchers. We missed you.
Understand Your Digital Footprint
Whether you’re simply taking a social media break or are choosing to leave the platform entirely, if you have the urge to delete or deactivate your Instagram account, it may be time to take stock of your digital footprint (i.e., the trail of breadcrumbs you leave behind as you do your thing on the internet).
Spokeo’s search tools can help you get a full picture of your digital footprint, giving you the information you need to decide what social media platforms you’d like to have a presence on — and whether you should delete, deactivate, or simply make your profiles private.
Doing so can give you some serious peace of mind…and help prevent catfish from taking advantage of your abandoned accounts.
As a freelance writer, small business owner, and consultant with more than a decade of experience, Dan has been fortunate enough to collaborate with leading brands including Microsoft, Fortune, Verizon, Discover, Office Depot, The Motley Fool, and more. He currently resides in Dallas, TX.