Delete your Instagram account permanently

Social media · Medium · ~20 min

Sources retrieved 21/08/2026 · Review in progress

Deleting an Instagram account removes photos, videos, followers and messages permanently. Deactivation only hides the profile.

How to delete your account

  1. Download your archive first

    Use Instagram's Download your information tool before deleting so you keep photos, videos and messages.

  2. Know the difference

    Deletion is permanent after the grace window. Deactivation only hides the account and is reversed by signing back in.

  3. Delete the account

    Open account settings and find the account ownership and control section inside Accounts Center, where deletion lives. Confirm with your password.

  4. Don't sign back in afterwards

    During the grace window, signing in cancels the deletion. If you're sure, let the window lapse.

Not enough? Send a GDPR request

Copy the controller contact below and build the letter in your browser. The letter includes an .ics reminder for the one-month response deadline.

Create an erasure request (Article 17) Create an access request (Article 15)

Frequently asked questions

Does deleting Instagram also delete Facebook?

No — the accounts are separate even when linked in Accounts Center. Deleting affects Instagram only.

Can you get your data back after deletion?

No. After the grace window nothing can be recovered, so download your archive first.

What if they ignore my GDPR request?

The deadline is one month (GDPR Article 12(3)). After that you can complain to your data protection authority — our generator produces the ready-made letter.

Sources and verification

Known gaps

These facts could not be verified from a source — we don't guess:

  • Account deletion page Instagram's deletion page (instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/) blocked automated fetching (HTTP 400). The current deletion path must be verified in a browser.
  • Data export The data download tool URL could not be verified.
  • AI-training opt-out Meta's third-party-sharing and AI-training controls could not be fetched (HTTP 400). The current Accounts Center setting must be verified.
  • Controller postal address The address Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd., Merrion Road, Dublin 4 is widely published but was not confirmed from a Meta source.
  • Retention after deletion The deletion timeline could not be verified from a source.

Report outdated info

This is general guidance, not legal advice.