Deactivate or delete Instagram: what happens, how long you have, and how to undo it

• Hides your profile, photos, comments and likes until you reactivate by logging in.
• Available once a week.
• You need to be able to log in; it’s done via Accounts Center → Deactivation or deletion.

• Removes your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers for good once the window closes.
• Instagram deletes everything 30 days after the request; the cancellation window can vary by region, so check the date shown in your account.
• The full deletion process can take up to 90 days to complete after it starts.
• Afterwards you can’t reuse the same username, and Instagram can’t reactivate the account.

Log back into the account before the deadline — that cancels the deletion request. If you can’t log in because the password or email changed, recover access first: without email or phone or hacked Instagram. Time matters: once the window closes there is no route back — see deleted account recovery.

Download your photos, videos and messages with Instagram’s Export your information tool first. Once the profile is deleted, the export tool is no longer available for it.

If you see a notice that Instagram suspended or disabled your account, you didn’t deactivate it — Instagram restricted it. That needs an appeal within the notice’s deadline: disabled Instagram account and appeal deadlines. Our Instagram recovery service handles appeals through official channels.