You cannot simply delete your Instagram account without access to the account. Have you forgotten your password? Try to regain access first. If you are still logged in on a phone or computer, do not log out. From that account, check which options are available to you. Instagram may still ask for your password during deletion or check whether 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 try using it 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 phone | Stay logged in and check that the correct account is open. |
| You can still use your linked email inbox or phone number | Request a new password through password recovery. |
| You can no longer use your email inbox or number | Check whether you are still logged in on another device and try to regain access to your email inbox. |
| You used Facebook to log in | Try that again if Instagram offers that option. |
| Someone else has taken over your account | Secure your email inbox first, then try to recover your Instagram account. |
Pay attention to the difference between the app and your account. If you only remove the Instagram app from your phone, your account will remain. This also does not solve your password problem.
Deleting Instagram while you are still logged in
Is Instagram still open on an old phone or in a browser? Use that device. Do not log out or remove the app while you have no other way to log in.
- Check your username, especially if you use multiple accounts.
- Check whether you recognize 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 during 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 access first. Even if you are still logged in, you may be subject to an additional check.
Cannot find the deletion option? Check the official explanation above. Do not use a website that promises to delete your account for you.
Forgot your Instagram password? Restore 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 differ. Then follow the steps on your screen.
- Enter the details for 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 plan 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 email inbox or phone number
Cannot receive a recovery message? First check whether you are still logged in somewhere. For example, 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 email inbox through your email provider.
- Follow other recovery options if Instagram offers them.
- Could not complete a check? See what further help Instagram offers within those steps.
The checks can vary. You will not always get the option to record a video of your face, for example. 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 email inbox first. If that person can read your email, they can also receive the messages you use to try to recover your Instagram account.
- Change your email inbox password if you suspect it has also been taken over.
- Where possible, turn on 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 issue. 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.
Delete Instagram or temporarily deactivate it?
Want to be able to come back later? Choose temporary deactivation: this temporarily turns off 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 avoid using the app temporarily. If you are logged in on only one device, restore access first 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? Go through these points before deleting it:
- The correct 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 deactivate temporarily or delete permanently?
- The confirmation: read the conditions on your screen and note the date mentioned.
- Copies in other places: do not assume that deletion also erases screenshots, forwarded messages or other copies.
Want to start later with a new account, 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.
