Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms globally, with over 2.3 billion active users per month, making it the fourth most used social networking site in the world. If you want to reduce the time spent on Instagram, you have two options: temporarily deactivate your account or permanently delete it.
In this article, we will show you how to temporarily deactivate your account and save your data, as well as when it might be best to delete your account permanently.
Why Delete Instagram? Deleting your Instagram account can seem daunting, especially for influencers and small businesses that rely on the platform for marketing. However, there are times when deleting your account might be a strategic decision.
Personal Benefits of Deleting Instagram:
- Improved mental health: Giving up Instagram can reduce social comparisons and provide better time management.
- Decreased dependence: Social media platforms can be highly addictive, and closing your account can help reduce online habits.
When Should You Delete Your Account as a Business or Influencer?
- Incorrect target audience: If your target audience is declining on Instagram, it might be better to explore alternative platforms.
- Decreased engagement: A significant drop in likes, comments, and shares may indicate that your audience is not active on Instagram.
- Reputation issues: If you are facing a PR crisis on Instagram, deleting your account can be an option to protect your image.
- Low ROI: If Instagram isn’t delivering a good return on investment, it may be time to focus on other platforms.
What’s the Difference Between Deleting and Deactivating an Instagram Account?
- Deactivation is reversible and involves hiding your account. Your profile will no longer be visible to other users, but you can reactivate it at any time.
- Permanent deletion is irreversible after 30 days. Once the period expires, it is no longer possible to recover your data or content.
How to Temporarily Deactivate Instagram? Before deactivating or deleting your account, it is recommended to back up your data so that you can use it in a new account if you decide to return to the platform.
How to Download Your Instagram Data:
- Log in to the Instagram app.
- Go to your profile page and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
- Select “Your Activity” and then “Download Your Information.”
- Choose the desired options (e.g., time range, file quality) and submit the request.
- Wait for an email notification when the download is ready.
How to Temporarily Deactivate Instagram Using a Browser:
- Visit Instagram.com on a desktop browser and log in.
- Click on “Settings” and scroll down to the “Temporarily Disable My Account” option.
- Select the reason for deactivation and enter your password to confirm.
- Click on “Temporarily Disable Account” and confirm. Note: You can only deactivate your account once a week.
How to Temporarily Deactivate Instagram Using the Mobile App:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
- Go to “Account” and select “Temporarily Disable Account.”
- Choose the reason, enter your password, and confirm deactivation.
How to Permanently Delete an Instagram Account: If you want to completely give up on Instagram, deleting your account is a permanent option. In this case, everything will be removed, including your profile, photos, comments, and followers.
How to Delete an Account on Desktop:
- Visit Instagram.com and log in.
- Go to the “Delete Your Account” page.
- Choose a reason and enter your password.
- Confirm deletion.
How to Delete an Account on iOS:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap “Settings” > “Account” > “Delete Account.”
- Confirm deletion.
How to Delete an Account on Android:
- Open Instagram in the Android browser and log in.
- Go to “Settings & Privacy” and then “Delete Account.”
- Confirm your choice and enter your password.
How to Reactivate Instagram: If you temporarily deactivated your account, it can be reactivated at any time by logging back in. After at least 24 hours from deactivation, the reactivation process will take a few minutes.
Important: If you permanently deleted your account, you will not be able to recover it. You will need to create a new account.
This is a detailed guide on how to deactivate or delete your Instagram account, and depending on your needs, you can choose the most suitable option.
