Understanding Deactivating vs Deleting Your Instagram Account
Are you considering taking a break from Instagram but not sure whether to deactivate or delete your account? Understanding the difference between the two can help you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
Deactivating your account is a temporary measure that allows you to remove your profile and content from public view without losing your followers, comments, and likes. Think of it as a time-out from the platform. Once you deactivate your account, Instagram retains your data and profile information and temporarily hides your profile and content from public view. You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back in, and everything will be restored as it was before. Deactivating your account is a good option if you need a break from the platform but plan on returning in the future.
Deleting your account, on the other hand, is a permanent measure that removes all your data, including your profile, photos, and videos, from Instagram servers. This means you will lose all your followers, comments, likes, and direct messages. Your username will also be permanently unavailable for use. If you delete your account, there’s no way to reactivate it or retrieve any of the content or data that was associated with it. Deleting your account may be a good option if you no longer wish to use Instagram.
It’s important to note that Instagram gives you a grace period before permanently deleting your account. During this time, you can change your mind and reactivate your account by logging back in.
Now that you understand the difference between deactivating and deleting your account, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your needs and goals. Whether you choose to take a break from the platform or say goodbye to it permanently, make sure you consider all the factors and weigh the pros and cons of both options before taking any action.
Backing Up Your Instagram Data Before Deactivating
If you are planning to leave Instagram for good or for a short period of time, it is important to backup your data before deactivating your account. Instagram allows you to download a copy of all the content you have posted on the platform. This includes photos, videos, messages, profile information, comments, and more.
The process of backing up your data is straightforward and easy. Follow the steps below:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile page
- Click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner and go to Settings
- Click on ‘Security’
- Scroll down till you find ‘Download Data’ and click on it
- Enter the email address where you would want to receive your data
- Click ‘Request Download’
- Instagram will then send you an email with a link to download your data. The link can take up to 48 hours to arrive. When the link arrives, click on it and download your data. You can also choose to download your data directly from Instagram by clicking on ‘Download Data’ again and entering your Instagram password.
Having a backup of your data gives you peace of mind and allows you to keep all your memories intact. You can always restore your data if you decide to join Instagram again or if you need the content for any other reason.
It is worth noting that backup files can take up a significant amount of storage space on your device, so it’s important to make sure you have enough storage before downloading your data. Additionally, if you want to save your Instagram stories, you need to manually archive them before deactivating your account. Simply go to your story archive and click on the three dots on the top-right corner, then click ‘Save Story’.
Backing up your data before deactivating your account is an essential step that you shouldn’t ignore. Doing so ensures that you don’t lose all your content, memories, and interactions when you leave Instagram.
How to Deactivate Your Instagram Account on the Mobile App
Deactivating your Instagram account is a simple process that can be achieved using the mobile app, provided that you meet Instagram’s requirements for doing so. Instagram’s default setting is to delete your account permanently, but you can always reactivate it later if you change your mind.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate your Instagram account using the mobile app:
- Launch the Instagram app and log in to your account.
- Tap on your profile icon located at the bottom right corner of the app.
- Select the three lines at the top right corner of your Profile page.
- Tap on Settings at the bottom of the slide-out menu and then select Help and click Help Center.
- Select Managing Your Account and then click Delete Your Account.
- After that, you will be redirected to the “How to delete your account” page. Read carefully the information before going ahead.
- Click on the hyperlink that says the “Delete Your Account” page.
- Select a reason for deleting your account from the drop-down menu, then enter your password to verify your identity.
- Once the reason is selected and the password entered, click on the permanent action “Permanently delete my account”.
It’s worth mentioning that the process of deactivating your account is irreversible, and once you delete your account permanently, all of your photos, videos, comments, and likes will be deleted permanently as well. In addition, your followers and following lists will be lost, and your account name won’t be searchable.
Finally, it is important to clarify that Instagram may take “a reasonable amount of time” to complete the account deletion process, which means that your information may still be visible on the platform for a while after you deactivate it. Don’t forget that you can reactivate your account at any time by simply logging in to Instagram, which will restore all your information and data.
How to Deactivate Your Instagram Account on the Web
Deactivating your Instagram account is an easy process on the web. Simply follow these steps:
- Open your preferred web browser and go to the Instagram website.
- Log into your Instagram account using your username and password.
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen.
- Click on the gear icon next to your username and select “Edit Profile”.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Temporarily disable my account” located at the bottom right of the screen.
- Choose a reason for why you are disabling your account from the dropdown menu and re-enter your password.
- Finally, click on “Temporarily Disable Account”.
It should be noted that when you deactivate your account, it is not deleted permanently. Your account and all of your photos, comments, and likes will be hidden from other users until you choose to reactivate your account by simply logging back in.
It’s important to remember that deactivating your account will not cancel any paid subscriptions you may have with Instagram, so be sure to cancel those before deactivating your account.
If you are having issues with deactivating your account or have any questions, you can visit Instagram’s Help Center for more assistance.
Reactivating Your Instagram Account After Deactivation
If you have previously deactivated your Instagram account but would now like to reactivate it again, the good news is that it is a quick and easy process. Simply follow these steps:
- Open the Instagram app: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
- Enter your login details: Enter your username and password to log in to your Instagram account.
- Complete two-factor authentication: If you have enabled two-factor authentication, you will need to complete the additional step to confirm your identity.
- Reactivate your account: Once you have logged in, you will be prompted to reactivate your account. Simply follow the prompts to complete the process and your account will be reactivated.
- Review your account: Once your account has been reactivated, you will need to review your account details to ensure that they are up to date. Check your profile picture, bio, and contact details to make sure everything is correct.
It’s that simple! With just a few clicks, you can reactivate your Instagram account and start using it again. Keep in mind that if you choose to deactivate your account again in the future, you will need to go through this process again to reactivate it.