There are plenty of reasons why you might want to shut down your Insta page. But before trying to disable Instagram accounts, you need to learn how. You must also figure out if this is the right move. Here’s a guide to temporarily or permanently shut down your Instagram.
Can You Close Your Insta Profile Forever?
Yes, you can permanently delete your Instagram account. This will erase it from the app’s server and make it impossible for you to log back in. Only do this if you’re absolutely sure you won’t be using that account again.
This feature is available on both the PC and the phone app. You can delete the page on short notice and on any platform. All it takes is a few clicks in your profile’s settings.
Once you permanently close your account, it’s still possible to get it back for around 30 days. At this time, you can simply log back in and your profile will come back. After a month, however, it’ll be gone for good.
Common Reasons To Disable Instagram Account
There are plenty of factors that contribute to a big decision like this. You can’t make the choice lightly, especially since you only have 30 days to change your mind. Here are the main reasons people learn how to disable Instagram accounts.
1. A Fresh Start
Some people just decide to shut their page down because they want to start a new one. IG lets you have several profiles at once. But it might be easier to commit to a brand-new account. This also lets you get around any shadowbans that may be affecting your profile’s long-term growth.
2. More Privacy
You can always lock your page and curate your followers. However, some users feel safer closing their accounts, especially if they have concerns about their personal data. Logging out keeps your data on IG’s server forever. Deleting your profile will also delete your IG data — though this takes up to 90 days.
3. Social Media Breaks
A YouGov report shows 37% of Americans take social media breaks for their mental health. For most people, this is likely temporary. But, many will struggle to commit to this without deleting the account. If you change your mind, you can still make a new page. But give the break a chance.
4. Avoiding Harassment
Unfortunately, many IG users face issues with other accounts. This can become abuse, stalking, or harassment over time. Closing your page may feel like the only way to avoid this. They might even find their way around a block. You should only give your new Insta profile’s name to people you trust completely.
How To Disable Instagram Account
The steps for closing your IG are mostly the same across every platform. Here’s how it works on mobile devices:
- Press on your profile picture (or the person icon) to access your profile.
- Click the three horizontal lines in the top right to view your IG settings.
- Open the Accounts Center and scroll down to your Account Settings.
- Click Personal Details, then go to Account Ownership and Control.
- Press Deactivation or Deletion, and select your profile from the menu.
- Click Delete Account, then Continue, and confirm your final decision.
You might also decide to uninstall the IG app. This can get rid of the temptation to log back in. If you’re on PC, click More in the bottom left. Press Settings and follow the same steps above.
No matter the platform you use, you have 30 days to recover disabled Instagram accounts. The profile disappears right away. But it’s only deactivated during this time. This gives you a chance to consider your decision. After 30 days have passed, you won’t be able to log back in.
Instagram Disabled My Account: What Should I Do?
Sometimes, Insta shuts down a profile themselves without the owner wanting to delete it. If this happens to you, it’s worth asking why. Here’s what you can do when IG closes your account.
1. Check Your Content
Did you post something that violated Instagram’s guidelines? This is possible even by complete accident. For example, perhaps you didn’t know about IG’s policy on copyrighted content. Think about your last few posts. Was there anything about them that someone (even Instagram) could have an issue with?
2. Look for Signs of Hacking
If you really have no idea why IG closed your account, a hacker might be responsible. Ask your friends if your account sent them any weird messages over the past few days. Check your email address for any login alerts or notifications about your account.
3. Begin an Appeal
You can appeal your ban with Instagram directly. But in many cases, their decision is final. Start your Instagram account disabled appeal by trying to log in when the app doesn’t let you follow the on-screen instructions. If someone hacked you, be ready to prove your identity.
4. Create a New Account
If an appeal doesn’t work, you can always make a new profile. However, it’s worth being extra careful with your posts and account security. Building up your network all over again might be quite a daunting task. But you’ll soon be back on top.
Can You Temporarily Disable an Instagram Account?
When closing your account, there’s also the option to simply deactivate it. To anyone else, this is the same as deleting it. But you’ll be able to reactivate your account at any time. This is a much better option for a lot of IG users.
Putting in a deletion request doesn’t have to be permanent. Anyone simply taking a break could come back at any time. You should save permanent deletion for more serious situations.
It’s even possible for Insta to disable your account temporarily but in its own way. If you follow too many people, for example, the app might think you’re a bot. It’ll then stop you from following more users for some time.
Options Other Than Disabling Your IG Profile
Deleting your profile forever should be a last resort. There are still other Insta features that could help you before this stage.
For example, you could set reminders on your device to take social media breaks. You can even set daily limits within the IG app. In your settings menu, go to Your Activity, then Time Spent. This won’t force you to close the app — but it’s still a helpful reminder.
A fresh start also won’t always require a new page. You could just rebrand your current one and keep your followers in the process. This turns your fresh start into a head start. Beginning again from scratch might just take too much time. Make sure to announce any major profile changes, especially when targeting a new audience.
Muting, restricting, or even blocking accounts will help you cultivate your audience. If someone’s harassing you on Instagram, these features can definitely help. It’s possible for some people to get around blocks. But in most cases, this can be enough to give you peace of mind.
Tips for Your Instagram Account Disabled Appeal
Even if you apologize, Instagram won’t always restore your account. In many cases, the ban will be final. But it’s still worth trying — especially when you only have 30 days. Here’s what you can do to help your appeal’s chances:
- Check IG’s guidelines: Make sure you know where you went wrong. This will show you understand the ban’s reasoning. It’ll also help you figure out if you were responsible or if they made a mistake.
- Be patient: There are plenty of Instagram account disabled appeals every day. It’s likely you’ll get the outcome within 24 hours. But it’s also possible that you’ll have to wait up to a whole week.
- Acknowledge any mistakes: Be upfront in your appeal. If you did something wrong, it’s important you admit this right away. Explain that it wasn’t on purpose (apologize if it was) and promise it won’t happen again.
- Appeal right away: Instagram won’t wait for your appeal. They’ll still delete the account after one month, even when you’re waiting to hear back. If you think “Instagram disabled my account unfairly,” start your appeal.
- Verify your identity: If someone hacked you, IG’s team might need you to confirm your name. Be prepared to send a picture of your ID. They’ll then match this to your details and even your posts.
Can You Recover a Disabled Instagram Account?
Starting new social media accounts takes time and may not give you the results you want. But it’s sometimes still possible to restore your Instagram.
Here are the three situations where you can get your page back:
- Log back in after temporarily deactivating your profile.
- Sign in within 30 days of permanently deleting your IG.
- After Instagram closes your account, win your appeal.
Unless you decide to temporarily close your profile, you won’t have too long to act. Once you hit the button to permanently disable an account, Instagram will start its countdown timer.
You’ll also have three months to recover your profile data. This gives you two months even after you’re no longer able to log in. Your Insta data has a full direct message archive. This includes the ones you or the other person deleted.
What Does a Disabled Instagram Account Look Like?
You can’t tell whether someone has deactivated or deleted their page at first glance. These two options look the same to anyone else. It’s also hard to tell if they disabled their profile or blocked you. However, there are a few telltale signs.
For example, if an account shows up as “Instagram User” in your DMs, they likely deleted their profile. You might still be able to click on their page this way. But you’ll just see an empty profile, one without any posts or details.
This is the main way to check on mobile. But what does a disabled Instagram account look like on PC? If you go to their profile using their URL, you’ll see “Sorry, this page isn’t available.” This means there was a page there. Check this in your browser’s incognito mode to make sure they haven’t blocked you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when you disable your Instagram account?
Once you close your Insta profile, nobody will be able to see it. Even your likes, comments, and tags will disappear. People will only see your account in their DMs.
Why do people deactivate Instagram?
As with all social media platforms, there are several reasons why people delete their Instagram. They might just want to take a break, for example. Or they may want a fresh start. They may even be trying to avoid certain people.
Can people unfollow me when I deactivate?
As your account won’t be visible, users won’t be able to unfollow or block you. If you bring it back, your followers will come with it.
Can you see messages from a deactivated Instagram account?
You’ll still be able to open and scroll through your DMs with these accounts. You can even send them new messages — but they won’t receive them unless they reactivate their account.
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