How to Deactivate Instagram in 2024 [All You Need to Know]

Instagram has 4.48 billion users and is arguably the most popular free photo and video-sharing website worldwide.

However, some users consider leaving due to instances of cyberattacks within the platform, body-image issues experienced by Instagram users, and even stalking.

Besides safety precautions, deactivating Instagram reduces social media overload. 

Continue reading to learn how to deactivate or permanently delete your Instagram with this article’s step-by-step guide.

Ways to Deactivate Instagram Account 

When you deactivate your Instagram account, the platform will hide the following:

• Profile
• Photos
• Comments 
• Likes 

You can reactivate your account by logging in. Until then, your account is hidden from other users. 

Discover the ways to deactivate your Instagram account in the next sections.

Deactivating VS Deleting Your Account

If you want to leave Instagram, you have two options – you can either deactivate or delete your account. Here are the main differences between the two: 

Here’s how to deactivate your Instagram account permanently:

1. Follow the 1st to 4th steps of the Steps to Deactivate Instagram section. 
2. Select the account you want to delete and choose Delete Account. Tap Continue.
   
   
   
   
3. Choose feedback and tap Continue.
   
   
   
   
4. Enter your password to proceed and select Delete account.  

Check out the following section to learn how to temporarily leave Instagram without deleting your account.

Steps to Deactivate Instagram

The process of temporarily leaving Instagram is the same with Android and iOs powered smartphones. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Instagram’s app and tap on your profile in the bottom right corner. 
2. Click the three lines in the top right corner and choose Settings and Privacy. 
   
   
   
   
3. Select Accounts Center and tap Personal details. 
   
   
   
   
4. Choose Account ownership and Control and Deactivation or deletion.
   
   
   
   
5. Tap on the account you want to deactivate and select Deactivate account. Click Continue to proceed.
   
   
   
   
6. Enter your password and tap Continue.
7. Choose one feedback and tap Continue. 
8. Tap Deactivate account.

The app will log out of the account if the process is successful.  Unlike the old way, this process will deactivate Instagram without waiting a week. 

Let’s say you’re done taking a break and want to use Instagram again; the next section can help you. 

Reactivating an Instagram Account

There are benefits to reactivating your Instagram account after deactivating it. Some of them are:

• Accessing your account's photos, videos, messages, etc.
• Keeping contacts, followers, and the profiles you follow
• Reconnecting with businesses or brands

When you're ready to restore your temporarily disabled Instagram account, here are the steps to do it: 

1. Open your Instagram app on your phone.
2. Enter your email or username and password. 
3. Instagram could ask you again to accept its Terms of Use. Click I Agree. 

Ensure you have access to the account's contact number and email address. If you cannot reactivate your account, it's best to contact Instagram's help center. 

Final Thoughts

Choose to deactivate your Instagram account if you want to leave the platform briefly. Instagram will retrieve your data once you reactivate the account. 

Deleting your account is the best option when you don’t want to retrieve anything. Deleting your account will permanently remove your data from the platform.

It is easy to confuse one with the other. So long as you’re aware of each’s process purpose, having two options – deactivation and deletion – offers a great deal of flexibility in managing your social media life.