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If you're getting a little tired of social media, you might want to consider deactivating your Instagram account.
With the app, you have two options: You can deactivate your account indefinitely, or you can delete it completely.
We'll review both options, so you can decide whether you'd rather take a break or cut ties with Instagram for good.
How to deactivate Instagram account?
When you temporarily deactivate your Instagram account, your profile, along with your photos, videos, comments and likes, will be archived (until you reactivate it).
After all, deactivating your account is a perfect way to take a break from social media.
Another option to consider is just muting or hiding posts from certain friends if that's your main reason for deactivating your account.
Before we teach you step by step, it is important to highlight that the following instructions only work for Instagram accounts that do not use a Facebook account to log in.
Therefore, if you want to deactivate your Instagram account, but your account uses Facebook to log in, you will need to deactivate both accounts and then reset your Insta password.
To do this successfully, you will need to have access to the email account that is associated with your Instagram account.
Once your Facebook account is unlinked from your Instagram account and you have reset your password, you can use the following instructions to deactivate your Instagram account:
See here how to deactivate your Instagram account
1st step: Access the Instagram official website through the computer and log in;
2nd step: Click on your profile photo icon in the top right corner and then select the 'Profile' option;
3rd step: At the top of the page, click on the 'Edit profile' button;
4th step: Go to the bottom of the page and click on 'Temporarily deactivate my account';
5th step: Instagram will ask why you are deactivating your account. Select a reason from the drop-down menu, and then enter your password;
6th step: To complete the process, click on 'Temporarily deactivate account'. Then select 'Yes' to confirm.
Your Instagram account should now be temporarily deactivated. To activate your Instagram account again, simply log in again using the website.
7th step: The above steps can work for anyone as long as they have a PC, an Internet connection and a browser.
The Instagram mobile app may allow users to disable their accounts, but this functionality is currently limited to iOS users only at this time.
Therefore, if you are an iOS user, you can deactivate your IG account on mobile app using the following method:
Select your profile picture > Three horizontal lines Menu icon > Settings > Account > Delete account > Deactivate account.
Then respond to the on-screen prompts and select Temporarily disable account.
How to permanently delete your Instagram account?
Now that we've explained how to temporarily deactivate an Instagram account, let's talk about how you can permanently delete your social network.
Firstly, it is essential to note that deleting your account will remove your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers.
Therefore, there is no way to recover them once the process has been completed.
Additionally, you won't be able to use that same username again if a new user ends up accepting it before you decide to sign up again.
Therefore, if you are sure you want to delete your account, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit the official page to permanently delete your account. If you haven't logged in yet, log in to your account as well;
Step 2: Under 'Why do you want to delete [your username]?', select an option from the drop-down box;
Step 3: Enter your Instagram password to confirm the procedure;
Step 4: Click Delete [Your username].
By following the process above, you will have submitted a deletion request to the Instagram team.
After 30 days, Instagram will permanently delete your account and all information, but the app notes that it can take up to 90 days for the process to be completed.
Step 5: As with deactivating an account, you can also delete your account through the Instagram mobile app, but only if you are an iOS user.
Here's how to do it: Select your Profile icon > the three horizontal lines Menu icon > Settings > Account > Delete account > Delete account > Continue deleting account. Then respond to the on-screen prompts.
Then select Delete [your username] > OK.
Questions about how to deactivate your Instagram account? Leave it below in the comments!
