To deactivate your Instagram account, you need to go through Instagram’s “Accounts Center” and choose Deactivation instead of deletion; you can later reactivate it just by logging in again.

Quick Scoop

Deactivating your Instagram account is a temporary way to hide your profile, photos, comments, and likes without permanently deleting anything. Many people use this option when they need a break from social media but might want to come back later.

Deactivate from the Instagram app

Here’s the current, most common path in the mobile app (iPhone or Android).

  1. Open Instagram and log in to the account you want to pause.
  1. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right.
  1. Tap the three-line menu (☰) in the top right.
  1. Tap “Accounts Center” (sometimes shown as “See more in Accounts Center”).
  1. Go to Personal details → Account ownership and control.
  1. Tap Deactivation or deletion.
  1. Select the Instagram account you want to deactivate.
  1. Choose Deactivate account , then tap Continue.
  1. Enter your password, pick a reason if asked, and confirm Deactivate account.

After this, your profile and posts will be hidden until you log in again.

Deactivate from a web browser

If you prefer using a computer, you can also deactivate via Instagram.com.

  1. Go to Instagram.com and sign in.
  1. Click More (three lines icon) on the left, then choose Settings.
  1. Open Accounts Center at the top.
  1. Click Personal details → Account ownership and control.
  1. Choose Deactivation or deletion and select your Instagram account.
  1. Make sure Deactivate account is selected, then click Continue.
  1. Re-enter your password, choose a reason, and click Deactivate account to finish.

Your account is then paused, just like with the mobile method.

Important things to know

A few key behaviors are worth keeping in mind when you deactivate.

  • Your profile, photos, comments, and likes are hidden, not erased.
  • You can reactivate anytime by simply logging back into Instagram with your username and password.
  • Some users report their deactivated profile can briefly still appear in search results before fully disappearing, likely due to caching.
  • Instagram generally limits how often you can deactivate and reactivate (often about once a week), so you may not be able to toggle it constantly.

Deactivation vs. deletion

If you’re deciding between a break and a full exit, here’s the core difference.

  • Deactivate account
    • Temporary; you can come back by logging in.
* Hides your content but keeps your data stored.
  • Delete account
    • Intended to be permanent; your profile and data are scheduled for removal after a grace period (often around a month to allow recovery).
* If you don’t log in during that window, the account is removed.

Bottom line: if you’re just taking a breather from scrolling or need some digital quiet time, deactivation is usually the safest option.

TL;DR: Go to your profile → menu → Accounts Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion → choose your account → select Deactivate account and confirm.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.