How to delete your Instagram account

Introduction

Deleting Instagram is a simple process, but requires a lot delicate thought when it comes to what data exactly you want deleted.

The main thing to think about is, what is your goal when deleting Instagram? If you delete your Instagram account, Instagram will not delete all your data, and in some cases keeping your Instagram account is a better way to delete your data.

Understand what data Instagram actually deletes when you delete Instagram

In their help center, Instagram states that the following data will be deleted:

When you delete your account, your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers will be permanently removed.

So, when an Instagram account is deleted, Instagram themselves tell us that the following data is "permanently removed":

1. Profile
2. Photos
3. Videos
4. Comments
5. Likes
6. Followers

You will notice that does list does not include your:

1. Chats
2. Messages
3. Images or Videos sent in messages
4. Group threads
5. Shared posts in messages

Our findings at UnSendAll prove that deleting a message in any way shape or form, including by deleting your whole account, will not remove your message from the other person's side.

If you want to delete your messages permanently and from everybody who is in the chat's side, please DO NOT delete your account as it will actually remove your ability to delete your messages permanently.

To delete your messages from both person's sides, please consult our blog post here.

How to delete Instagram account (on mobile)

Once you've confirmed that you want to delete your Instagram account, and that you don't care that deleting your Instagram account does mean that your Instagram messages are deleted, the process is simple. If you want to delete your messages from both  sides, please check out our blog post to learn how.

First understand that deleting your Instagram account won't instantly delete it. Once you make your request, you set a deletion date 30 days in the future. From there, your account is deactivated and removed if you do not sign in within the 30-day period.

Here's how to delete your Instagram account through your mobile app:

1. Navigate to Profile > Menu > Accounts Center
2. Continue to Personal details >Account ownership and control >Deactivation or deletion.
3. Click on the account you want to delete, then select Delete account>Continue.
4. Re-enter your password, choose the reason why you’re leaving, and then tap Continue. Your account will now be set for deletion in 30 days.

How to delete Instagram account (on Computer)

Once you've confirmed that you want to delete your Instagram account, and that you don't care that deleting your Instagram account does mean that your Instagram messages are deleted, the process is simple. If you want to delete your messages from both  sides, please check out our blog post to learn how.

To delete your Instagram account on your computer, you must access the Account Center.

Follow these steps to delete your Instagram account on Desktop:

1. Log in to your Instagram account on Instagram.com
2. Navigate to More > Settings > Accounts Center
3. Click on Personal details, then Account ownership and control
4. Click on Deactivation or deletion
5. Select your account, check the Delete account checkbox, and click the Continue button
6. Enter your password, chose your reason for leaving and click Continue > Delete Account.