How to deactivate your Instagram account (and what happens after)

💡Need to know

• Fast deactivation: Navigate to Accounts Center > Manage account > Deactivation or deletion. Tap Deactivate account. 
• Limits on deactivation: Instagram allows you to deactivate your account once per week.
• What to expect: Your profile and any photos, comments, and likes associated with your Instagram account are hidden until you log back in.
• No deactivation timeline: You can leave your Instagram account deactivated for as long as you like.

Instagram™ is a fun social media platform where you can view and share videos and photos with followers, friends, and family. But if you find yourself spending too much time on Instagram, you might want to take a short break. Fortunately, Instagram offers a way to deactivate your account without losing your data.

Asurion Experts are plugged into tech. Whether you need help managing your digital footprint or want to remove AI features on Instagram, we have you covered. Here's how to deactivate Instagram and what to expect afterward.

How to deactivate Instagram on your phone

To deactivate your Instagram account on an iPhone® or an Android™ smartphone, take these steps:

1. Tap Profile or your profile picture.
2. Tap Menu > Accounts Center > Manage account.
3. Tap Manage next to the profile you wish to deactivate.
4. Tap Deactivation or deletion > Deactivate account.

Tap Continue. Follow the prompts to complete the deactivation.

How to deactivate Instagram from a computer or mobile browser

If you use Instagram on your PC or laptop, you can deactivate your account through a mobile browser such as Google Chrome™ or Microsoft Edge™. Take these steps to deactivate Instagram temporarily:

1. Log in to your Instagram account on instagram.com.
2. Click More > Settings > Account Center.
3. Click Manage account.
4. Click Manage next to the profile you wish to deactivate.
5. Click Deactivation or deletion > Deactivate account.
6. Click Continue. Follow the prompts to complete the deactivation process. 

What happens when you temporarily disable your account?

So, what happens when you deactivate Instagram? 

Essentially, your profile becomes invisible. Anyone trying to find you on the platform won't be able to view your account. Followers won't see your profile in their list of friends, and they can't view any photos, likes, or comments that you've made.

Does that mean your Instagram footprint is gone forever? Absolutely not. All of your content stays on the Instagram server for future use. When you're ready to return to the platform, you can reactivate your account as if nothing happened.

An Instagram account deactivation is indefinite. You can leave your account disabled for a few days, weeks, months, or even years. The choice is up to you — Instagram won't delete your information without your authorization. 

One point to keep in mind: Instagram limits account deactivation to once every seven days. That means you can't deactivate Instagram two or more times a week. 

What to do before deactivating your account

It's a good idea to notify friends and family that you plan to deactivate your Instagram account, so they're not surprised if you don't show up on their friends list. And be sure to respond to any messages, since you won't be able to once the deactivation period begins.

If you plan on staying Instagram-free for a while, consider downloading your Instagram data. That way, you'll have a copy of photos, videos, and messages in case you need them while you're away from the platform. 

How to reactivate your Instagram account after deactivating

When you're ready to use Instagram again, you can reactivate your account by logging in with your username and password. Simply open the Instagram app on your smartphone or visit Instagram.com on a mobile browser to view the login page.

If you try to log into your Instagram account shortly after deactivating it, you may get an error message. That's because the deactivation process can take several hours to complete. Waiting at least a day before trying to reactivate your account can avoid this issue. 

A forgotten Instagram password can prevent you from reactivating your account. If this happens to you, take these steps to reset it:

1. Click or tap Forgot password? on the Instagram login screen.
2. Enter the username, email, or phone number associated with your account.
3. Click Send login link > Ok.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts.
5. Use the link sent to your email or phone to choose a new password for your account. 

Planning to go without social media for a while? You can deactivate your account on other platforms, too. Check out our guide on how to deactivate or delete Facebook™ on your iPhone or Android phone.