You scroll through your feed. Again. Same faces, same filters, same ads you didn’t ask for. It feels endless. You tell yourself, “Just five more minutes.” But an hour passes. And somewhere between another coffee post and a reel you didn’t want to watch, it hits you — maybe it’s time to take a break.
Deleting Instagram isn’t easy. Not emotionally. Not digitally either. Especially when you’re doing it on your iPhone, where everything seems to pull you back in — notifications, DMs, old memories that keep resurfacing. But sometimes, the best refresh isn’t another scroll. It’s a clean slate.
If you’ve ever tried to delete your Instagram account from the app, you know it’s not exactly front and center. They hide it a little. Somewhere deep inside settings, behind menus and pop-ups asking, “Are you sure?” But don’t worry — we’re walking through it together. Step by step. Smoothly, simply, like a real moment, not a robotic tutorial.
Here’s a brief overview of the steps we’ll be covering: Back up your data, access the delete option in the app, confirm deletion, consider temporary deactivation, check linked apps, and reclaim the silence after deletion. Let’s do this.
Why Delete Your Instagram Account?
Maybe you’re tired of it. Maybe you want peace. Maybe it’s privacy concerns or just too much noise. Whatever the reason, it’s valid. Everyone hits that moment differently. But remember, the relief and peace that can come from this decision can be profound.
Instagram has its charm — vibrant visuals, endless connections, dopamine hits. But it also drains. Constant scrolling, comparison, and burnout. Some people step away temporarily. Others, permanently. If you’ve reached that point where logging out isn’t enough, deleting might be the reset button you need.
And suppose you’re not fully ready for goodbye. In that case, you can deactivate your account instead — a softer pause that keeps your data safe until you decide to return. Deactivation hides your profile, comments, and likes, but you can come back anytime. But if you’re done for good, keep reading about the deletion process.
Step 1: Back Up Your Data
Before deleting your account, it’s smart to back up your photos, videos, and messages. Once your account is gone, it’s gone for real.
To download your data:
- Open the Instagram app on your iPhone.
- Go to your profile and tap the three lines (☰) in the top-right corner.
- Tap Your Activity → Download Your Information.
- Enter your email address and tap Request Download.
Instagram will send a link within 48 hours containing your entire archive. Keep it safe — it’s your digital scrapbook.
Step 2: Access the Delete Option in the App
A few years back, you had to use a browser to delete your Instagram account. But not anymore. You can now delete it straight from the app, giving you control and agency in this decision.
Here’s how:
- Open Instagram on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile picture → the menu (☰) → Settings and Privacy.
- Scroll to Accounts Center.
- Tap Personal Details → Account Ownership and Control.
- Choose Deactivation or Deletion.
- Select the account you want to delete.
- Pick Delete Account, then tap Continue.
Instagram will ask you to confirm your password and the reason you are leaving. You can ignore the emotional guilt trip — they’ll still let you go.
Step 3: Confirm Deletion
Once you’ve confirmed, your account won’t vanish instantly. Instagram gives you 30 days to change your mind. During this period, your account is hidden from everyone — like it never existed. If you log in during this time, the deletion is canceled.
After 30 days, it’s permanent. Your profile, photos, followers, everything — gone. Like wiping the slate clean.
Step 4: Reinstalling Later (If You Miss It)
We’ve all been there. The quiet feels nice at first. Then you start missing the memes, the friends, the weekend stories. If you ever feel that tug, you can always start fresh. Just reinstall the app from the App Store, sign up again, and build your feed from scratch. Remember, you can always come back if you miss it.
Sometimes, deleting isn’t the end. It’s just a reset.
Step 5: For Those Who Can’t Find the Delete Option
Some iPhone users can’t find the delete link because Instagram frequently updates its menus. If that’s you, here’s a shortcut:
- Open Safari or any browser on your iPhone.
- Go to https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
- Log in to your account.
- Choose your reason and confirm deletion.
Same result, same 30-day window, just through the browser instead of the app.
Step 6: Consider Temporary Deactivation
If deleting feels too final, try deactivating first. It hides your profile, comments, and likes, but you can return at any time.
Here’s how to deactivate from your iPhone:
- Open Instagram in Safari or Chrome.
- Go to your profile → Edit Profile.
- Please scroll down and select Temporarily deactivate my account.
- Choose a reason and enter your password.
- Tap Deactivate Account.
It’s like taking a quiet vacation from the noise without losing your memories.
Extra Tip: Check Linked Apps
Before deleting, ensure that no other apps (such as Facebook or Threads) are linked to your Instagram account. Sometimes, deleting Instagram can affect logins in connected apps under Meta Accounts Center. It’s like making sure the stove’s off before leaving home. Double-check everything — it’s like making sure the stove’s off before leaving home.
A Quick Word on Privacy
When you delete your account, Instagram removes your data from public view. But backups may stay on Meta’s servers for up to 90 days. That’s standard practice across most social platforms.
Still, once the grace period ends, everything linked to your profile — photos, DMs, likes, hashtags — gets erased.
Step 7: After Deleting — Reclaim the Silence
It feels strange at first. You’ll reach for your phone out of habit. Thumb flicking toward that familiar pink-orange icon that’s no longer there. But slowly, the silence starts to feel good. More time. More focus. More space to think without being bombarded by everyone else’s highlight reel.
You start realizing what life feels like without constant scrolling. The small joys return — coffee without a photo, sunsets without filters, memories that don’t need captions.
Deleting Instagram on your iPhone isn’t just a digital action. It’s a personal one.
FAQs About Deleting an Instagram Account on iPhone
1. Can I delete my Instagram account directly from the app on iPhone?
Yes, you can. Instagram recently added this feature, allowing complete deletion in the iOS app.
2. What’s the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivating is temporary — your profile is hidden but can be restored at any time. Deleting is permanent.
3. Will deleting my Instagram also delete my Threads account?
If your Threads account is connected to your Instagram, yes. Deleting one removes both.
4. Can I recover my account after deleting it?
Only within 30 days. After that, your account and data are permanently erased.
5. How long does Instagram take to delete my data?
Usually, 30 days for complete deletion. Some backups may take up to 90 days to be removed permanently.
Final Thought
Deleting Instagram from your iPhone isn’t just about removing an app. It’s about reclaiming control. Your time. Your attention. You’re quiet. Whether it’s a short detox or a permanent farewell, taking that step is freeing in ways that go beyond your screen.
The world won’t stop if you go offline for a bit. Your real life — the one beyond filters and likes — is still waiting.
And if you ever decide to clean up other parts of your digital life, read “How to delete an Instagram account permanently” for a full breakdown of removing it from any device.