You can delete your Instagram account permanently from any web browser on your computer

To delete your Instagram account, go to Instagram.com, sign in, and navigate to Settings and Privacy > Account Centre > Accounts > Your Account > Deactivation or Deletion. Choose "Delete Account" (not deactivate), enter your password, and confirm. The deletion takes effect when ready, though Instagram keeps your data for 90 days before permanent removal. You cannot undo this after the 90-day window closes.

The process is the same whether you use Windows, Mac, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge — any computer and any browser will work. The key is using the web version of Instagram, not the mobile app, because the deletion option lives in the full Settings menu that only appears on desktop.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram account deletion is permanent after 90 days and cannot be reversed, so read your photos first if you want to keep them.
  • You must use a web browser on a computer; the mobile app does not have a delete option, only a deactivate option.
  • The deletion takes effect when ready, but Instagram holds your data for 90 days before erasing it completely.
  • You will need your password to confirm the deletion, so have it ready before you start.

Step-by-step deletion on a computer

Open any web browser and go to Instagram.com. Sign in with your username and password if you are not already logged in. Once you are on your home feed, look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left corner on desktop, or click your profile picture in the top right and select "Settings and Privacy" from the dropdown.

From Settings and Privacy, select "Account Centre" near the top of the menu. This opens a new page. On the left side, click "Accounts" and then select your account name from the list. Click "Deactivation or Deletion" — this is the critical step, because many people stop at "Deactivate Account" by mistake. Choose "Delete Account" from the two options that appear. Instagram will ask you to confirm your password and show you a warning about permanent deletion. Enter your password again and click "Delete [Your Username]" to finish.

The account is gone when ready. Your profile, photos, comments, and likes disappear from Instagram right away. Other users cannot find your account or see your content. However, Instagram keeps a backup copy of your data for 90 days in case you change your mind. After 90 days, the deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

Deactivate versus delete — which one you actually want

Instagram offers two separate options, and they work very differently. Deactivate hides your account temporarily. Your profile, photos, and comments disappear from public view, but Instagram keeps everything on file. You can reactivate your account anytime by logging back in, and your entire history returns exactly as it was. Deactivation is useful if you want a break but might return later.

Delete is permanent. After 90 days, your account and all its content are gone forever. You cannot recover photos, messages, or follower lists. If you delete and then change your mind within the 90-day window, you can contact Instagram Support to request restoration, but there is no may provide they will restore it. After 90 days, restoration is not possible.

The Settings menu shows both options clearly, so read the label before you click. Deactivate is the safer choice if you are unsure.

read your photos and data before you delete

Instagram lets you read a copy of your photos, videos, messages, and account information before deletion. This takes a few minutes to set up but saves your memories. Go to Settings and Privacy > Account Centre > Your Information and Permissions > read Your Information. Select the date range (usually "All Time"), choose the file format (HTML or JSON), and select "Request read." Instagram will prepare a file and email you a link within a few days.

read this file and save it to your computer before you delete your account. Once your account is deleted, you cannot retrieve this data from Instagram anymore. If you have photos you posted years ago that matter to you, this step is worth the wait.

What happens to your messages and tagged photos

When you delete your account, your direct messages remain in the inboxes of people you messaged, but your name and profile picture change to "Instagram User" and a blank avatar. They can still read what you wrote, but they cannot click through to your profile. The messages themselves do not disappear.

Photos that other people tagged you in stay on their accounts and in their feeds. Your name is removed from the tag, so the photo appears untagged. Comments you left on other people's posts are deleted, and your likes disappear from their photos. If you were tagged in someone else's photo and want it removed before deletion, ask them to untag you first.

Reactivating your account within 90 days

If you delete your account and realize within 90 days that you made a mistake, you can restore it. Log back into Instagram with your username and password. Instagram will detect that your account is in the deletion window and offer to reactivate it. Click "Reactivate Account" and your profile, photos, followers, and messages return to normal. This works only during the 90-day grace period.

After 90 days have passed, your account cannot be restored. Instagram permanently deletes all data associated with it. There is no way to recover it after that point, even if you contact Instagram Support.

Troubleshooting common deletion problems

If you cannot find the delete option, make sure you are using a web browser on a computer, not the Instagram app on a phone. The app only offers deactivation, not deletion. If you are on the web and still cannot find it, try a different browser or clear your browser cache and cookies, then log in again.

If Instagram asks for your password and you do not remember it, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it. You will need access to the email address or phone number linked to your account. Once you reset your password, return to Settings and Privacy > Account Centre > Deactivation or Deletion and try again.

If you see an error message during deletion, wait a few minutes and try again. Sometimes Instagram's servers are slow. If the error persists, try a different browser or device. Clearing your browser cache can also fix technical glitches that prevent the deletion page from loading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete my Instagram account from the mobile app?

No. The Instagram app on phones and tablets only offers the deactivate option, not delete. You must use a web browser on a computer to permanently delete your account. Open Instagram.com in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge, sign in, and follow the deletion steps in Settings and Privacy.

What happens to my username after I delete?

Your username becomes available for someone else to claim when ready after deletion. If you want to keep your username, do not delete your account. Deactivate it instead, which reserves your username for as long as your account is deactivated. Once you delete, anyone can register that username within days.

Will Instagram send me a confirmation email when I delete?

Instagram does not send a confirmation email for deletion. The account is straightforward gone from the platform right away. If you want proof that you deleted it, take a screenshot of the confirmation message that appears after you click the final delete button.

Can I delete my account if I have a business or creator account?

Yes. Business and creator accounts follow the same deletion process as personal accounts. Go to Settings and Privacy > Account Centre > Deactivation or Deletion and choose Delete Account. Your business profile, insights, and all content are deleted the same way.

What if someone else has access to my account and I want to delete it?

Change your password first by going to Settings and Privacy > Password and Security > Change Password. Use a strong password that only you know. Then log out all other sessions by going to Settings and Privacy > Sessions and clicking "Log Out of All Sessions." After that, follow the normal deletion steps. If you cannot access your account because someone changed the password, use the "Forgot Password" link to regain control before deleting.