How to Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account

Download Your Instagram Data

Before deleting your account, request a copy of all your data from Instagram. Open the Instagram app or website, go to Settings, then Accounts Center, and select Your Information and Permissions followed by Download Your Information. Choose your Instagram account, select all data types including posts, stories, messages, and profile information, then pick either HTML or JSON format. Instagram will prepare your download and notify you when it is ready, which can take up to 48 hours for accounts with significant content.

Save Important Content Manually

While waiting for your data download, manually save any content that matters most to you. Screenshot or screen-record important direct message conversations since exported DM data can be difficult to read. Download your highest-quality photos and videos from the original files on your phone if possible, since Instagram compresses uploaded media. Save any Reels or Stories highlights you want to keep by downloading them individually through the app. Also take note of accounts you want to follow on other platforms before you lose access.

Revoke Third-Party App Access

Go to Settings, then Accounts Center, and navigate to Password and Security, then Apps and Websites. Review every third-party application that has access to your Instagram account. Revoke access for all of them by clicking Remove next to each app. Some services like social media management tools, analytics platforms, and content schedulers may have deep access to your account data. Removing these connections before deletion ensures these services can no longer access any of your information after the account is gone.

Inform Your Followers

If you have an active following, post a final update letting people know you are leaving Instagram and where they can find you going forward. Share alternative contact methods such as your email address, phone number, personal website, or handles on other platforms. Consider posting this announcement a few days before deletion so your audience has time to see it. If you run a business account, update your bio with your new contact information and keep the account active long enough for regular visitors to notice the change.

Delete Your Account Permanently

Navigate to Instagram's account deletion page at instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent, or go through Settings, then Accounts Center, then Personal Details, and select Account Ownership and Control followed by Deactivation or Deletion. Choose Delete Account rather than Deactivate, since deactivation only temporarily hides your profile. Instagram will ask you to select a reason for leaving and re-enter your password to confirm. After confirmation, your account enters a 30-day grace period during which you can recover it by logging back in.

Clean Up After Deletion

Uninstall the Instagram app from all your devices to remove any cached data and prevent the temptation to redownload and log back in during the 30-day recovery window. Clear Instagram cookies from all browsers you used to access the web version. If you used Instagram login as a single sign-on method for other apps or websites, update those accounts to use email-based login instead. After the 30-day period passes, your account, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers will be permanently and irreversibly removed from Instagram's servers.