How to Delete Instagram Account — Step by Step

Permanent deletion removes your profile, posts, Reels, comments, and likes. Meta also deletes a Threads profile created with the same Instagram account. Download your information from Accounts Center before you start — once deletion is requested, exporting can be blocked until you cancel.

• Save important photos, videos, and highlights offline
• Note connected Facebook or Threads logins so you are not locked out elsewhere
• Cancel paid Meta subscriptions tied to the account if needed
• Tell collaborators if a shared brand account is being removed

Deactivate temporarily hides your profile; you can return later by logging in. Delete permanently removes the account after a grace period (about 30 days). Choose Delete account only if you are sure you will not need the username or content again.

1. 1

   Open Settings → Accounts Center

   Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, tap the menu, then Settings. Open Accounts Center (or Meta Account) at the top of the settings list.

2. 2

   Find Deactivation or deletion

   If you see Manage accounts, tap Manage next to Instagram, then Deactivation or deletion. If you see Accounts / Personal details, open Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion.

3. 3

   Choose Delete account

   Select the Instagram account you want to remove. Choose Delete account (not Deactivate), then tap Continue.

4. 4

   Confirm with your password

   Read what will be deleted, pick a reason if asked, enter your password, and confirm. Your profile becomes hidden right away.

1. 1

   Sign in at Instagram.com

   Open a browser, go to instagram.com, and log in. Click More (bottom left), then Settings, then Accounts Center — or go to accountscenter.meta.com.

2. 2

   Open account ownership controls

   In Accounts Center, open Personal details (or Profiles and personal details), then Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion. Some layouts show Manage next to Instagram under Manage accounts.

3. 3

   Select Delete account and continue

   Choose your Instagram account, select Delete account, click Continue, enter your password, and confirm. Stay logged out afterward so you do not accidentally cancel the request.

• Your profile is hidden from search and other users immediately
• Logging back in within about 30 days usually cancels deletion and restores the account
• After the grace period, deletion becomes permanent and cannot be undone
• Meta may keep residual copies in backups for up to about 90 days before full purge
• Your Facebook account is separate — delete it from Facebook settings if you also want that removed

For Meta’s official instructions, open Permanently delete or deactivate your Instagram profile in the Instagram Help Centre. Labels can vary slightly while Meta migrates people to Meta Accounts.

• Cannot find Delete account — look under Accounts Center / Meta Account, not only the old Instagram-only Settings pages
• Password rejected — reset Instagram password, then retry deletion
• Shared device keeps signing you in — log out of the app and browser so the grace period is not cancelled
• Need official wording — see Meta’s help article on permanently deleting or deactivating Instagram