Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting an Instagram Account

Jul 20, 2026 · WipeTok

Before deleting anything, decide whether you want the profile gone permanently or simply removed from your phone. Instagram uses separate controls for permanent deletion, temporary deactivation, saved login information, and connected accounts. Choosing the wrong one can either leave an unwanted account active or remove content you meant to keep.

Deleting, deactivating, removing, and unlinking

• Delete permanently: removes the profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers after the cancellation period.
• Deactivate temporarily: hides the profile and its content until you log back in.
• Remove from the app: clears saved login information from that device without affecting the account itself.
• Unlink in Accounts Center: separates connected Meta accounts without deleting the Instagram profile.

Step 1: Export anything you want to keep

After an account is deleted, you lose access to Instagram's export tool. Download a copy first if you want to keep your photos, posts, videos, messages, or other account information.

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
2. Open the menu, then Accounts Center.
3. Choose Your information and permissions.
4. Choose the option to download or export your information.
5. Select the profile and data you need, then follow the prompts.

Step 2: Switch to the exact account

If several profiles are added to the app, switch to the one you intend to delete before continuing. Tap your username on the profile screen, choose the account, and check its username, photo, and bio. This small check matters most when deleting a secondary, business, or creator account.

Step 3: Open Deactivation or deletion

1. Open the profile you want to delete and tap the menu.
2. Open Accounts Center.
3. Tap Personal details.
4. Tap Account ownership and control.
5. Tap Deactivation or deletion.

The same core path works on a computer: Instagram settings, Accounts Center, Personal details, Account ownership and control, then Deactivation or deletion. Labels can move slightly between app versions, but the Accounts Center path is the important part.

Step 4: Select and delete the right profile

1. Select the Instagram profile you want to remove.
2. Review the displayed username carefully.
3. Choose Delete account, not Deactivate account.
4. Tap Continue and follow the confirmation prompts.
5. Re-enter your password if Instagram requests it.

You must be able to log in to request deletion. Instagram will not delete an account for you for security reasons, so recover the username or password first if you have lost access.

Step 5: Let the deletion finish

Instagram currently says an account and its information are permanently deleted after 30 days, although the cancellation window can vary by region. Completing deletion across its systems may take up to 90 days, and limited copies may remain longer in backups or where retention is legally required.

How to delete multiple Instagram accounts

Deleting one profile does not delete every account stored in the app or connected in Accounts Center. Repeat the process for each username: switch profiles, verify the account, open Deactivation or deletion, select that profile, and confirm. Export each account separately if you need its data.

• Write down which personal, creator, business, or brand profiles you intend to keep.
• Process one username at a time.
• Check the profile name again on the final confirmation screen.
• Record when each cancellation window ends if timing matters.

Remove an Instagram account from the app without deleting it

If you only want to clean up the account switcher or remove access from a phone, log out instead of deleting. From the profile, open the menu, scroll to the login section, and log out of the current account. On the login screen, open its options, choose Remove profiles from this device, and tap Remove next to the saved profile if that option is available.

A saved account may still appear because it was recently used on the device, belongs to the same Accounts Center, or is associated with a Google account on Android. Removing the saved login only affects that device.

Log out of only one Instagram account

1. Switch to the account you want to remove from the device.
2. Open its settings and log out of that account.
3. Return to the Instagram login screen.
4. Remove the saved profile if it still appears.
5. Check that the accounts you still use remain signed in.

Unlink Instagram accounts without deleting them

To stop connected login, cross-posting, or other linked Meta features, remove the account from Accounts Center rather than opening the deletion menu.

1. Open Accounts Center.
2. Choose Accounts.
3. Select the profile you want to separate.
4. Choose Remove account, then Continue.
5. Confirm that you want to finish removing it from that Accounts Center.

If you cannot find the delete option

• Update the Instagram app and search settings for Accounts Center.
• Try the Accounts Center path from a desktop browser.
• Confirm that you are logged in to the account you intend to delete.
• Reset your password if Instagram will not let you confirm.
• Consider temporary deactivation if you want a reversible break.

Final checklist

• You exported everything you want to keep.
• The final confirmation shows the correct username.
• You chose deletion rather than logout, deactivation, or unlinking.
• You removed saved login information if the account should disappear from the device.
• You will not log back in unless you want to cancel the request.

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