You cannot simply delete your Instagram account without access to the account. Have you forgotten your password? First, try to regain access. If you are still logged in on a mobile or computer, do not log out. From that account, check which options you have. Instagram may still ask for your password when deleting the account or check that the account belongs to you.
Choose your situation below and read what you can try first.
Deleting Instagram: what access do you still have?
Can you still receive a recovery message at your linked email address or phone number? If so, you can use it to try to log in again. Check the table to see where you can start.
| Your situation | Try this first |
|---|---|
| You are still logged in on your mobile | Stay logged in and check that the right account is open. |
| You can still use your linked mailbox or phone number | Request a new password through password recovery. |
| You can no longer use your mailbox or number | Check whether you are still logged in on another device and try to regain access to your mailbox. |
| You used Facebook to log in | Try that again if Instagram offers that option. |
| Someone else has taken over your account | Secure your mailbox first, then try to regain access to your Instagram account. |
Pay attention to the difference between the app and your account. If you only delete the Instagram app from your mobile, your account will remain. This also will not solve your password problem.
Deleting Instagram while you are still logged in
Is Instagram still open on an old mobile or in a browser? Use that device. Do not log out or delete the app while you have no other way to log in.
- Check your username, especially if you use multiple accounts.
- Check whether you recognise the linked email address and phone number and can still use them.
- Save the photos and other data you want to keep.
- From your account, look for the option to delete it.
The official explanation of deleting Instagram mentions Accounts Centre and ‘deactivate or delete’, with 30 days until permanent deletion. The period in which you can cancel may vary by region.
Therefore, follow the date and conditions in your own confirmation. Is Instagram asking for a password you do not know? Stop and restore your access first. Even if you are still logged in, you may face an additional check.
Cannot find the deletion option? Then check the official explanation above. Do not use a website that promises to delete your account for you.
Forgotten Instagram password? Restore your access first
According to the official help for a forgotten Instagram password you can start password recovery with your username, email address or phone number.
On Instagram’s login screen, look for the option for a forgotten password. The wording may vary. Then follow the steps on your screen.
- Enter the details of the account you want to delete.
- Expecting an email? Also check your junk mail folder.
- Choose a new password that you do not use anywhere else, even if you want to delete your account afterwards.
- After logging in, check your username again before deleting anything.
Knowing only your username is not enough. You must also be able to complete the check Instagram uses to verify that the account belongs to you.
Can you log in again through Facebook?
Did you previously use Facebook to log in to Instagram? Try that again if you see the option on the login screen. A linked Facebook account does not mean this will always work. It also does not mean you can skip a password check.
Deleting Instagram without access to your mailbox or phone number
Cannot receive a recovery message? First check whether you are still logged in somewhere. Suppose your old phone number no longer works, but Instagram is still open on your tablet. You can start on that tablet.
- Check your own old phone, tablet and browser.
- Try to regain access to your linked mailbox through your email provider.
- Follow other recovery options if Instagram offers them.
- Cannot complete a check? Then see what further help Instagram offers within those steps.
The checks may vary. You will not always have the option to, for example, record a video of your face. If you cannot prove that the account belongs to you, deleting it through your own account may not be possible.
Do not pay anyone who says they can bypass this check. Also do not share passwords, recovery codes or login links. Someone could use such a link to gain access to your account.
Deleting a hacked Instagram account
Do you want to delete your account because someone else can access it? Secure your mailbox first. If that person can read your email, they can also receive the messages you use to try to regain access to your Instagram account.
- Change your mailbox password if you suspect it has also been taken over.
- Where possible, enable an additional login check, for example with an authentication app.
- Start recovering your account from the Instagram app or the official Help Centre.
- After recovery, check your linked email address and phone number before requesting deletion.
Reporting an account is different from deleting your own account. Is a fake account pretending to be you? Report that problem. Do not try to log in to that account.
Does it say that Instagram has suspended your account? That requires different steps. Read more about a suspended Instagram account.
Deleting Instagram or temporarily deactivating it?
Want to be able to come back later? Choose temporary deactivation: this temporarily disables your account. Want to stop permanently? Choose deletion. You also need access to your account to deactivate it. So it is not a way to bypass a forgotten password.
Only want to stop scrolling for a while? You can turn off notifications or stop using the app temporarily. If you are logged in on only one device, restore your access before removing the app.
Do you think your account has already been deleted, but are not sure what happened? Read what you can do if your Instagram account has been deleted.
Checklist before deleting your Instagram account
Can you access your account again? Then go through these points before deleting it:
- The right account: check your username and profile photo.
- Your files: save photos, videos and other data you want to keep. Also check that you can open the saved files.
- Your choice: do you want to temporarily deactivate or permanently delete it?
- The confirmation: read the conditions on your screen and note the stated date.
- Copies in other places: do not assume that deletion also removes screenshots, forwarded messages or other copies.
Want to start with a new account later, but cannot create one? Read why you cannot create a new Instagram account. Creating a new account does not delete your old account. If you also publish your own content, our Instagram services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
