How to Delete Your Instagram Account in 2022

Instagram has more than 1 billion active users, but even if you have decided to delete your Instagram account permanently, this guide will show you can achieve that step-by-step.

This social media app belongs to Facebook now, and it does pose a threat to your online privacy. In 2018, there was a data breach on Instagram due to security flaws and compromised users’ passwords in plain text. That’s why perhaps, you’re better off without it.

So, just in case you were Googling, “how do you delete an Instagram account,” you’ve certainly landed at the right place. Follow this guide and have all your queries answered!

How to Save Instagram Account Data Before Deleting

To save your Instagram account data before deleting it, you’ll have to follow a few simple steps. It’s actually quite straightforward. We can understand there might be some sort of data that you may want to keep before getting rid of your account.

That’s why let us walk you through the steps:

1. Go on your Profile.

2. Open the Settings menu and click on Privacy and Security.

3. Scroll down on the page until you find Data Download, click on Request Download.

4. You’ll be directed to a page that will ask you to type in an email address on which you wish to receive the data.

5. Also, select a format for the data. We recommend HTML as you’ll be able to easily open the file using any browser.

6. You’ll be asked to confirm your identity by typing in your account password.

7. Click on Request Download and you’ll receive a download link along with additional instructions on your email address.

Note: The process may take up to 48 hours.

You can carry out the process using a phone as well, however, we recommend that you use a computer because you may have to download a huge amount of data.

Also, you may want to unblock Instagram, if your country has placed restrictions on it.

You can also learn how to delete your Facebook account if you’d like. We can also help you in getting rid of other social media accounts on Snapchat, and Twitter as well.

How to Temporarily Disable an Instagram Account

To temporarily disable an Instagram account, we’ll recommend signing in using a computer instead of a phone. Because a user may be unable to do it using a mobile app. But if you try using a tablet you may very well succeed. As long as you enable the Desktop view on your tablet.

Let’s get to it:

1. Log into your account.

2. Click on your Profile icon at the top right corner.

3. Click on Edit Profile.

4. Scroll to the bottom until you see Temporarily disable my account and click on it.

5. You’ll be redirected to a confirmation page.

6. Select a reason for “Why are you disabling your account?” from the drop-down menu.

7. Re-enter your password for confirmation.

8. Click on Temporarily disable account.

The process of disabling an account is faster than deleting one. The account can be easily enabled as well by simply logging in again.

Also, you can keep yourself safe by using the best VPNs to access your Instagram account.

To delete your linked Instagram account with Facebook, specifically, just follow the steps given below:

• Open up Instagram on iOS or Android, and click Settings in the upper right of your profile.
• In Settings, tap Linked Accounts.

• There, you should see that Facebook is featured in blue with a checkmark on it. Now tap the Unlink Facebook option.

Keeping your social media profiles unlinked is a smart thought for security reasons. In the event that at any point someone hacks your Instagram, for instance, the hacked posts would just go live on Instagram as well as other linked accounts.

Also, you may want to unblock Instagram in China before using it, if you’re a resident of China and want to unlink your accounts.

How to Undelete Your Instagram Account

To undelete your Instagram account, simply log in to your account. As stated previously, you only have 30 days to change your mind until then your account will be hidden.

That’s why you better change your mind within 30 days and log into your account to save it from being deleted.

Once the 30-day period is over, your account will be deleted. If you want to use Instagram again, you’ll have to sign up all over again with a clean slate. In the meanwhile, if someone takes the username you use to have, you’ll have no choice but to pick another one.

How Do I Delete My Instagram Account on My Phone?

To delete your Instagram account on your phone, follow the steps given below:

1. Go to Instagram on your iPhone and tap on the Profile symbol at the bottom of the screen.

2. Tap the Settings and after that scroll down to choose Help.

3. You’ll be directed to the Help menu. Select Help Centre.

4. Tap on the hamburger icon on the top of the screen on left.

5. Tap on Manage your account and then Delete your account.

6. Tap on How do I delete my Instagram account? drop down.

7. Scroll down until you find Delete your account and tap on it.

8. Select a reason for deleting your account from the drop down.

9. Re-enter your account password for confirmation.

10. Tap on Delete Account.

Is There Any Way to Get My Account Back After Deletion?

Yes, there’s a way to get your account back after deletion. But it’s more of a hack than an official way of getting back your account.

Interested? Let’s see how you can implement this workaround method:

1. Type in your email address or username and tap on Get Help Signing in.

2. Then click on Trouble logging in?

3. Select the type of account you’d like to recover.

4. Make sure you click on My account was hacked.

5. Then click on hear more about your experience.

6. Now, you have to fill out the forms accordingly, after which Instagram will send you an email.

7. You’ll probably be asked to provide verification that you’re the owners, such as the images you uploaded, your username, email address, and/or any verification code sent on the phone number associated with the account.

8. Hopefully, your account can be recovered for you. Fingers crossed!

How to Make an Instagram Private Account

To make an Instagram private account, you simply have to change the settings. It’s understandable not everyone wants to become an influencer on Instagram. You may very well keep a close-knit circle of friends instead of publicizing your profile to people you don’t even know.

Bear this in mind your account bio and display picture will still be available for people to see, and in order to see your posts, they’ll have to send in a request which you can either approve or disapprove. Only after then, they’ll be able to see the posts you’ve shared, if you’ve approved their follow request, of course.

So, to make your Instagram account private, follow these steps:

1. Open your profile by tapping on the bottom left corner that features your display icon.
2. Tap on Settings and then Privacy.
3. You’ll be presented with a toggle switch: Private account.
4. Tap on it and when the blue color shows up, it means your account’s just been made private.

Now you’ll have to manually accept or reject follow requests. At least, this way you’ll know who’s added on your profile.

How to Block Instagram Accounts

Blocking an Instagram account or two is fairly easy. At times, you could be followed by unknown people whom you could’ve added accidentally thinking they belong to your friends. But the profile may belong to people who keep trying to sell you something or cyberstalking you. Hence, if at any point you feel like someone’s making you uncomfortable, simply block their account.

Don’t worry, they’ll not receive any notification that you’ve blocked them. But your account will simply disappear into thin air, as far as the blocked account is concerned.

There are three ways you can block an Instagram account:

• Visit the user’s profile you want to block. Tap on the three dots on the upper right, as soon as you come across Block, tap on it.
• If you’d like to block someone from your inbox. Tap on the conversation, then the profile header and a Details menu will pop up. Scroll down until you see Block and tap on it.
• Go to Settings 🡪 Privacy 🡪 Blocked Accounts 🡪 + on the top left corner 🡪 Look up the username you want to block 🡪 Tap Block.

How to Restrict Instagram Accounts

To restrict Instagram accounts, you’ll have to look up the profiles you want to restrict. No worries, it’s an easy job. In case you don’t know restricting an account means you’ll be hiding that user’s comments on your posts, although they can still message you. Older comments will continue to exist and newer ones can be approved by you.

So, to restrict an account:

• Go to Settings 🡪 Privacy 🡪 Restricted Accounts 🡪 Tap Continue 🡪 Look up the username you want to block 🡪 Tap Restrict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping up

There you have it, folks. If you have settled on the decision to venture out of the Instagram world, then this guide will help you delete your Instagram account. Now you don’t have to go around asking your friends just exactly “how do you delete an Instagram account?”

A lot of personal stuff can get out to the public, including your co-workers and boss- you really don’t want them to see how wild you were at the Christmas party.

If you have any further queries, feel free to comment in the section below and we will be glad to respond.