If you’re looking for how to delete an Instagram account (or just deactivate it for a while), this step‑by‑step guide walks you through both options on mobile and desktop.

1. Before You Delete Your Instagram Account

Deleting your account is permanent. That means:

  • Your profile, photos, Reels, videos, comments, likes, and followers will be removed.
  • You cannot recover the account once the deletion is processed.
  • Your username may become available for others to register later.

Instagram itself explains what happens in their Help Center:
https://help.instagram.com/139886812848894

Optional: Download a copy of your data first

If you want to keep your photos and other info:

  1. Open the Instagram app or go to https://www.instagram.com.
  2. Go to Profile → tap the menu (≡) → Settings and privacy.
  3. Tap Accounts Center → Your information and permissions → Download your information.
  4. Choose Instagram, select complete copy, and enter your email.
  5. Confirm and wait for the download link from Instagram.

More details from Instagram:
https://help.instagram.com/181231772500920

2. How to Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account

You can’t fully delete an account from inside the main app settings alone; you need to use Instagram’s dedicated deletion page.

2.1. Delete Instagram via browser (phone or computer)

  1. Open this official Instagram page in a browser:
    Delete Your Account – https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
  2. Log in if you aren’t already.
  3. If you have multiple accounts, make sure the correct account is selected in the top-right corner.
  4. Under “Why do you want to delete [account name]?” select a reason from the dropdown.
  5. Re‑enter your Instagram password when prompted.
  6. Click or tap Delete [username].
  7. Confirm your choice.

Instagram usually schedules the deletion for a future date (for example, 30 days). Until that date:

  • Your account is hidden.
  • If you log back in, Instagram may cancel the deletion, and you’ll need to request deletion again.

Official help page:
https://help.instagram.com/370452623149242

2.2. Delete Instagram from the mobile app (iOS & Android)

On newer versions of the app, Instagram links directly to the deletion form:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Go to your Profile → tap menu (≡) → Settings and privacy.
  3. Scroll to Accounts Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control.
  4. Tap Deactivation or deletion.
  5. Choose the account you want to remove.
  6. Select Delete account → Continue.
  7. Follow the prompts, choose a reason, and confirm with your password.
  8. Tap Delete account to finalize.

This process redirects or mirrors the browser deletion flow but from within the app interface.

3. How to Temporarily Disable (Deactivate) Your Instagram Account

If you’re not sure you want to lose everything forever, you can temporarily disable your account instead. This:

  • Hides your profile, photos, comments, and likes.
  • Lets you reactivate everything later by logging back in.
  • Is ideal if you just want a break from social media.

Official explanation:
https://help.instagram.com/728869160569983

3.1. Temporarily disable Instagram via browser

  1. Go to https://www.instagram.com and log in.
  2. Click your profile picture (top right) → Profile.
  3. Click Edit profile.
  4. Scroll down and click Temporarily disable my account (bottom right).
  5. Select a reason from the “Why are you disabling your account?” dropdown.
  6. Re‑enter your password.
  7. Click Temporarily Disable Account to confirm.

You can only disable your account once per week (roughly), so if the option is missing, wait a few days and try again.

3.2. Reactivating a disabled account

To reactivate:

  1. Open the app or go to https://www.instagram.com.
  2. Log in with your username/email and password.

Your profile, photos, and interactions should be restored, assuming you didn’t request permanent deletion.

4. Difference Between Deleting and Disabling Instagram

Action What Happens Can You Get It Back?
Permanent Delete Profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers removed No, after deletion date
Temporarily Disable Profile and content hidden; nothing is permanently removed Yes, by logging in again
Uninstalling the App Only Only removes the app from your device; account stays active and visible Account always accessible

If you only want to reduce screen time, consider uninstalling the app or using limits rather than deleting your account.

5. Common Issues When Trying to Delete an Instagram Account

Can’t log in / forgot password

You’ll need access to your account to delete or disable it.

Use the official recovery options:

Delete option not showing

If you don’t see “Deactivation or deletion” in the app:

Logged in with Facebook but can’t delete

If your Instagram is connected via Facebook:

  1. Set a dedicated Instagram password first:
    • Go to Profile → Settings and privacy → Accounts Center → Password and security → Change password.
  2. Then use the delete page again:
    https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/

6. Quick Summary

  • To permanently delete your Instagram account, use:
    https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
  • To temporarily disable your account, use the Temporarily disable my account link from Edit profile on the web.
  • Always download your data first if you might want your photos or information later.
  • Once the deletion grace period passes, your account and all data are gone and cannot be restored.

If you tell me whether you want to delete or just deactivate, and what device you’re using (Android, iPhone, or PC/Mac), I can give you a very short, device-specific checklist you can follow step by step.