How to Deactivate Instagram in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)
Social media sometimes it’s just too much. If you’re finding yourself in a place where you want to stop everything for a while, you’re not alone. But what if you just want to get away for a period of time? Here’s a solution: Meta’s powers that be have made it pretty simple to deactivate your Instagram account. Yes, I know it’s quite easy to completely delete your Instagram by just hitting a delete button. Although I wouldn’t recommend you do that, because with the deactivate function, you have the latter option if you plan on returning to the platform in the future. And your social contacts, your pictures, and videos will still stay in your account.
This guide will walk you through how to deactivate your Instagram account, step by step.
That’s when I discovered that Instagram actually gives you two options—you can temporarily deactivate your account if you just need a break or permanently delete it if you’re ready to move on for good.
1. Temporary Deactivation vs. Permanent Deletion
Before you go straight to the action, we need to understand the difference between temporary deactivation and permanent deletion:
Temporarily Deactivating Instagram
I’ve done this before when I wanted to get away for a period of time but wasn’t quite ready to delete everything forever. Here’s what happens when you temporarily deactivate your account:
- Your profile, photos, likes, and comments are hidden.
- Your data remains stored, and you can reactivate anytime by logging back in.
- It’s perfect if you just need to unplug for a while.
Permanently Deleting Instagram
Yes. This is forever goodbye to your Instagram account. It’s the point of no return. If you permanently delete your account:
- Your profile and all associated data are completely erased.
- You cannot recover anything once it’s gone.
- This is the best choice if you’re sure you no longer want an Instagram presence.
Tip: If you’re not sure, I would suggest you start with temporary deactivation. Take some time to reflect and see what you really want. Avoid regrets in the future from making the wrong decision. That way, you can come back if you change your mind later.
2. How to Temporarily Deactivate Instagram
If you just need a break but plan to return, you can follow these steps to temporarily disable your Instagram account:
Step 1: Log Into Instagram
Go to your computer or mobile browser, even inside the Instagram app. Log in to your account.
Step 2: Access Your Profile Settings
- Click on your profile picture in the top right.
- Select “Edit Profile.”
Step 3: Find the Deactivation Option
- Scroll down and click “Temporarily disable my account.”
Step 4: Choose a Reason
In this step, Instagram will ask you why you’re deactivating. I usually wrote “Just need a break for a while,” but you can also choose any reason from the dropdown.
- Enter your password when prompted.
Step 5: Confirm Deactivation
- Click “Temporarily Disable Account.”
- Your account will now be hidden until you log in again.
Tip: After three months, I reactivated my account, and everything was still there. If you ever need to come back for some reason, you can just log in.
3. How to Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account
If you know that you definitely won’t be coming back to Instagram, you can permanently delete your Instagram account. I know that feeling too. But it’s critical to know that deleting your Instagram account will remove everything, meaning there’s no way to come back, except by creating a new account. Your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and contacts—all are just gone.
Once you finally decide to permanently delete your account, here are the steps:
Step 1: Visit the Instagram Account Deletion Page
- Visit the Instagram delete your account page.
Step 2: Log Into Your Account
- If you’re not already logged in, enter your credentials.
Step 3: Select a Reason for Deletion
- Choose a reason from the dropdown list.
- Enter your password to confirm the request.
Step 4: Confirm Permanent Deletion
- Click “Delete [Your Username]” and confirm your decision.
- Instagram will schedule your account for deletion after 30 days. If you change your mind, log in before the deadline to cancel the request.
Tip: Once your account is gone, you can’t recover anything, so I would suggest you keep your important images or messages before you remove everything.
4. How to Download Your Instagram Data Before Deleting
So if you want to save your important things like photos, videos, or messages, you can download them first. Instagram allows you to download your data before you go.
Steps to Download Your Data:
- Open the Instagram app or log in via Instagram.com.
- Go to Settings > Your Activity > Download Your Information.
- Enter your email and request the data.
- Instagram will send you a link within 48 hours to download everything.
Tip: I downloaded my data before I hit that delete button, and I was surprised at how much was stored—so many old messages and photos that I didn’t even remember, and I found some very important files. Definitely worth saving.
5. What Happens After Deactivating or Deleting Instagram?
Depending on what you choose, here’s what happens next:
If you temporarily deactivate your account:
- Your profile is hidden, but not deleted.
- You can log in anytime to restore your account.
If you permanently delete your account:
- Your profile, posts, and messages will be gone forever after 30 days.
- You’ll need to create a new account if you ever want to return.
Tip: If you’re deleting Instagram due to social media burnout, I would suggest you consider limiting screen time instead of fully deleting your account. Learning how to control your time will make everything work so much better.
Final Thoughts
Taking a break from social media can feel like a big step, but it can also feel like freedom. That’s what I felt after stepping away for a while. You have more time for other things, things that are more important in your life. Spend more time with your family and friends. And you totally forget how you used to compare yourself with the aesthetics on social media.
If you’re unsure, you can first start with temporary deactivation and see how everything goes.
Whatever you decide, control over your time and focus. At the end of the day, it’s our decision on how we spend our time. Make the most of it.