Do you want to close your Insta account? You shouldn’t rush into this decision, especially when you might regret it further down the line. But it’s still worth learning how to deactivate Instagram, either for a week or for good. Here’s everything you’ll need to know, courtesy of GoRead.io.
How To Deactivate Instagram on PC
You may close your IG account on any platform, including the browser version. Some of Insta’s features are only available for mobile. But rest assured, you can still deactivate it on your PC. Here’s how to deactivate your Insta account on your PC browser:
- Click More on the bottom left of your feed, then Settings.
- At the top of the list, click See More in Accounts Center.
- Under your Account Settings, click on Personal Details.
- Here, simply press Account Ownership and Control.
- Click Deactivation or Deletion and select your profile.
- If you’re sure about your choice, select Delete Account.
- Press Continue and confirm you want to delete your IG.
This will permanently delete your account, logging you out in the process. You can simply close the browser — unless you want to log into another account. A permanent removal request might feel excessive. But people who do this know they won’t come back to that profile.
How To Deactivate Instagram on Phone (iOS and Android)
The process on iOS and Android is remarkably similar to PC but with a few minor differences. It looks the same on both phone types, however. Here’s how to deactivate your Instagram on mobile devices:
- Click your profile picture (or the person icon) on the bottom right.
- On your profile page, click the three horizontal lines in the top left.
- Go to the Accounts Center and scroll down to Personal Details.
- Following the same steps, click Account Ownership and Control.
- Click on Deactivation or Deletion next and choose your account.
- Press Delete Account and confirm this to delete your Insta profile.
- If this is your only account, you can also uninstall the mobile app.
And that’s how to deactivate Instagram accounts permanently. Uninstalling the app isn’t exactly necessary. But if you’re closing your only account for good, you might have no need for it.
Reasons for Deactivating Instagram
On the subject of an IG deletion request, there are many reasons why you might want this. Even if you’d rather close it temporarily, you might find a permanent deletion fits better. Here are just a few reasons why people learn how to deactivate Instagram on phone and PC:
- A fresh start: Closing your IG means you can begin anew. This lets you reset the app’s algorithm and have a whole new Instagram experience.
- Less social media: Do you want to cut down on excessive screen time? Delete your IG page permanently to make sure you stick to your guns.
- Self-esteem issues: It’s easy to compare your IG to everyone else’s. In fact, nearly 40% of Americans have deactivated social media to help their mental health, according to YouGov.
- Hiding profiles: Do you have an embarrassing profile from when you were younger? It’s worth learning how to deactivate the Instagram page for your privacy.
- Avoiding stalkers: Similarly, permanently deleting your account can help you hide from stalkers or harassers. You can then make a new page they can’t find.
- Nothing to post: You might just no longer have anything to share. If this is the case, you don’t need to keep your Instagram account active.
How To Temporarily Deactivate Instagram
Deleting your profile forever is quite a big deal. If you change your mind, you won’t be able to go back to it. You can instead close it temporarily. This is good if you simply want a break and plan to come back. You’ll be able to reactivate it at any time.
This involves basically the same process as permanently deleting. On iOS and Android, go to your profile. Click the horizontal lines menu icon in the top right. Follow the usual steps until you reach Deactivation or Deletion. Here, select your profile and pick Deactivate Account.
On PC, click More and access your Settings menu. Follow the steps outlined above and select Deactivate Account instead of Delete Account.
As you go through with this, IG might ask why you’re deactivating. Simply choose a reason from their drop-down menu. This helps Insta see why people are leaving their platform and how they can fix it.
Navigating How To Deactivate an Instagram Account Permanently
You can’t delete your IG profile on a whim. Luckily, Instagram can help you here. If you log into your account within 30 days of deleting, you can reactivate your IG. After 30 days, Instagram fully closes it. This period of time sounds like quite a while. But you need to be sure.
Learning how to deactivate an Instagram account means figuring out if this is the right move. If you do want to delete it, make sure your followers know. Put out a story or feed post, possibly one that sets out your reasons. Before deleting your page, it’s also worth downloading your IG data.
People often wonder how to know if someone deactivated their Instagram. You can avoid much of this confusion by simply letting them know. Message your mutual followers directly about this, or they might think you blocked them. This is especially likely if they can’t find your IG account one day.
How To Know if Someone Deactivated Their Instagram
It’s easy to miss someone deleting their page, even if they announce it. Simply not seeing a post could leave you wondering where a close friend is. You might even consider if they’ve suddenly blocked you. However, there are simple ways to check this.
For example, are they showing up as “Instagram User” in your messages? This is a big sign that they’ve deactivated. However, you won’t know if this is temporary or permanent. Waiting may be your only way of figuring this out. If you have their other socials, you can always ask them when they’re coming back.
You can also confirm this by checking if their profile is visible on your browser’s incognito mode. If it is, they might have actually blocked you. But if not, they have likely closed their account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can you temporarily disable your Instagram?
There’s no time limit here. You also have no automatic reactivation time period. This is the same as permanently deleting — but with the option to come back at any time.
How do I deactivate my Instagram account multiple times?
Once you learn how to temporarily deactivate Instagram, you’ll need to know the feature’s limits. For example, you can only deactivate once a week. You can still close your other Insta accounts in the meantime.
How do I get my Instagram data?
Before deleting your account, it’s worth getting a copy of your IG data. This is how you can do this:
- In the Insta Accounts Center, click on Your Information and Permissions.
- Press Download Your Information.
- Choose the data you want and where to send it.
- Click Request Download or Create Files.
Should You Close Your IG Account? Try GoRead.io First
Once you learn how to deactivate Instagram, check if this is the right move. You can still make it on the platform, especially if you use GoRead.io’s paid followers.
Our network of real users will boost your engagement and help you find more fans. Try out GoRead.io today, and you’ll see your IG still has plenty to give.