How to Delete Instagram Data

Thinking about tidying up your digital life or perhaps taking a step back from the grid? You've come to the right place. This guide walks you through exactly how to back up your personal archive by downloading your Instagram data, pressing pause by deactivating your account, or making a clean break by permanently deleting it.

Deactivate, Download, or Delete? Understanding Your Options

Before you make a final decision, it’s important to know the difference between your three main options. Each serves a different purpose, and choosing the right one can save you from future regret.

1. Downloading Your Data

This is your personal backup. Think of it as packing up your digital photo albums, letters, and memories before leaving a place. Instagram allows you to request a copy of everything you’ve shared on the platform. This file includes:

• Your photos and videos (including Stories you’ve posted).
• All your direct messages (DMs).
• Comments you’ve made and received.
• Profile info, follower lists, and more.

Downloading your data is highly recommended, especially if you plan to permanently delete your account. It gives you a complete archive of your time on the platform, so nothing is lost forever.

2. Deactivating Your Account

Deactivating is the temporary, non-committal option. When you deactivate your account:

• Your profile, photos, comments, and likes will be hidden from everyone.
• Your account essentially becomes invisible until you decide to reactivate it.
• To reactivate, all you have to do is log back in.

This is the perfect choice for anyone who needs a mental health break, wants to focus on a big project without distractions, or is simply unsure if they want to say goodbye for good.

3. Deleting Your Account

This is the nuclear option - permanent and irreversible. When you choose to delete your account:

• Instagram gives you a 30-day grace period. If you log back in during this time, the deletion is canceled.
• After 30 days, your account and all its data are gone forever. You cannot get it back.
• Your username is released and cannot be used by you or anyone else on that deleted account again (though you may be able to use it if you create a brand new account later, policy permitting).

Choose this option only if you are 100% certain you want to erase your Instagram presence completely.

How to Download a Copy of Your Instagram Data

Before you press that delete button, let's make sure you have a copy of everything. The process is straightforward and can be done from either your phone or a computer.

On the Instagram App (iOS and Android)

Most people manage Instagram from their phones, so let’s start there. The path is now through Instagram’s “Accounts Center,” which links all of your Meta-owned accounts (like Facebook).

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
3. Tap on Settings and privacy.
4. Right at the top, tap Accounts Center.
5. Under “Account settings,” find and tap Your information and permissions.
6. Select Download your information.
7. Tap the blue Request a download button.
8. If you have multiple accounts (like a linked Facebook profile), make sure only your Instagram account is selected, then hit Next.
9. You'll now have a choice: a Complete copy or to Select types of information. If you’re backing up everything, choose Complete copy.
10. Finalize the request by reviewing the notification email address, format (HTML is usually easier for browsing), and media quality. Then tap Submit request.

Instagram will start compiling your data. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days, depending on how much you’ve shared over the years. You'll receive an email with a secure link to download your file once it's ready. A word of caution: the link is only valid for a few days, so be sure to download it promptly.

From a Desktop Web Browser

The process is quite similar if you prefer using your computer.

1. Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account.
2. Click the More menu (three horizontal lines) in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Click on Settings from the pop-up menu.
4. From the left-hand menu, you should see an option to open the Accounts Center. Click on that.
5. From the Accounts Center, click Your information and permissions, then Download your information.
6. Follow steps 7-10 from the mobile instructions above, as the process is identical from here.

How to Temporarily Deactivate Your Instagram Account

Ready for that social media break? Deactivating is your best friend. A few years ago, you could only do this from a web browser, but thankfully Meta has integrated it into the app via the Accounts Center.

Step-by-Step Guide to Deactivation:

1. Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, and tap the hamburger menu in the top right.
2. Go to Settings and privacy and then Accounts Center.
3. Tap on Personal details.
4. Select Account ownership and control.
5. Choose Deactivation or deletion.
6. Select the Instagram account you wish to deactivate.
7. Make sure Deactivate account is selected (it should be the default) and press Continue.
8. For security, you’ll be asked to re-enter your password.
9. Finally, you'll be asked to provide a reason for deactivating. Choose one from the list and tap continue. Confirm your decision, and your account will be instantly hidden.

Remember, whenever you’re ready to return, just download the app again and log in with your username and password. Your profile will be restored just as you left it.

How to Permanently Delete Your Instagram Account

This is it. The final step for those wanting a completely fresh start. If you haven’t downloaded your data yet, please scroll up and do that now. Once this process is complete, there’s no coming back.

Just like deactivating, the full deletion process is now accessible through the app’s Accounts Center.

Step-by-Step Guide to Permanent Deletion:

1. Follow the exact same path you did for deactivation: Profile -> Menu -> Settings and privacy -> Accounts Center -> Personal details -> Account ownership and control -> Deactivation or deletion.
2. Select the account you are deleting.
3. This time, choose the option for Delete account instead of deactivate. Click Continue.
4. Instagram will ask you for a reason you're leaving. Select an option from the menu and tap Continue.
5. You'll be asked to enter your password one final time to confirm your identity and your decision.
6. Confirm you wish to proceed with the deletion.

That's it. Your account is now scheduled for permanent deletion. Your profile and content will be hidden immediately, and after 30 days, it will all be permanently erased. If you have second thoughts during that window, simply log in to your account to cancel the process.

What Really Happens When Your Account Is Deleted?

It’s important to understand what's erased and what might linger.

• Your Content Is Gone: All photos, videos, stories, and highlights on your account will be removed permanently.
• Your Interactions Vanish: Comments and likes you’ve left on other people’s posts will also be deleted. Where your username once appeared, it will no longer link to a profile.
• DMs Are Tricky: Your side of a conversation is deleted. However, the other person in the DM will still see the messages you sent them in their inbox. The messages will just appear to come from a "Deleted User" or blank profile. The content isn't erased from their device.
• You Can't Be Found: Your profile disappears from search and anyone trying to navigate to your profile URL will get a "Sorry, this page isn't available" message.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re downloading your archive for safekeeping, taking a much-needed break by deactivating, or closing a chapter by permanently deleting your data, you now have complete control over your digital footprint on Instagram. Taking these steps can feel empowering and is a great way to manage your relationship with social media on your own terms.

If you're managing social media for a brand and find yourself overwhelmed - often the very feeling that leads to wanting to delete everything - it might just be your tools that are the problem. We built Postbase because we were tired of legacy platforms built for a different era of social media. With a clean, visual calendar, rock-solid reliability for scheduling today’s content like Reels and Shorts, and one single place to manage engagement, we make managing your social presence feel calm and organized, not chaotic.