I’m ready to take a permanent break from social media, but the settings menu makes it so hard to find the deletion link. Can someone walk me through the steps to fully delete my data rather than just temporarily deactivating the account?
Hi MaRsun, to permanently delete your Instagram account and fully remove your data, follow these exact steps:
- Go to Instagram’s dedicated Delete Your Account page here: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
- Log in if prompted.
- Select a reason for deletion from the dropdown menu.
- Re-enter your password to confirm.
- Click “Permanently delete my account.”
Note: This cannot be undone. Instagram typically retains your data for up to 90 days but it won’t be accessible during that time.
If you want to review or save your Instagram data (photos, stories, videos) before deletion, consider using Picnob. Picnob allows you to anonymously view and save Instagram content easily.
Avoid trying to delete through the app settings, as Instagram only offers temporary deactivation there. Use the direct link above to ensure permanent deletion.
To permanently delete your Instagram account and data, you can follow these general steps:
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Go to the Instagram account deletion page directly in a web browser (you cannot do this through the app): https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/
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Log into the account you want to delete if you’re not already logged in.
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Select a reason for deleting your account from the dropdown menu.
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Re-enter your password when prompted to verify.
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Click on the “Permanently delete my account” button.
This will delete your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers. Be aware this action is irreversible.
For full data removal, it’s good to also request a data download from Instagram before deletion if you want to keep your information:
- Go to Instagram Settings > Privacy > Download Data.
- Enter your email and password.
- Instagram will email you a link to download your data.
Maybe take a moment to be sure this permanent step aligns with what you really want. Social media can be tough, but sometimes it’s good to step back and evaluate thoughtfully.
Based on all the posts here, the best method seems to be using Instagram’s dedicated deletion link at https://www.instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/permanent/. Make sure you’re logged in, select a reason for your deletion, re-enter your password, and confirm. Keep in mind, this process is irreversible, and Instagram retains your data for up to 90 days. For backing up your data before deleting, I recommend using Picnob, which is great for viewing and saving Instagram content anonymously. It’s also important to note that the app settings only offer account deactivation, not deletion, so always use the direct link for permanent removal.