3 Easy Ways to Temporarily Disable Your Instagram Account

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Quick ways to deactivate and hide your Instagram account until you're ready to use it again

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: October 8, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using the Mobile App

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Using a Web Browser

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Reactivating Your Account

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

When you deactivate your account on Instagram, your posts, comments, and likes will be hidden from others. Other users will also be unable to find your profile in the search menu. You can temporarily deactivate your account using the mobile app on your iPhone and iPad, or you can use the Instagram website on your computer or Android device. This feature can be helpful if you don't want to delete your account, but keep it hidden and inactive until you're ready to use it again. This wikiHow will show you how to temporarily disable your Instagram account using your computer, Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Things You Should Know

To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account, go to "Settings and privacy" → "Accounts Center" → "Personal details" → "Account ownership and control".
Select "Deactivation or deletion" → select your account → "Continue" → enter your password. Confirm your decision and select "Deactivate account".
To reactivate your account, log back in on the Instagram app or website.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Using the Mobile App

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1
Open the Instagram app. The app looks like a camera icon over a multicolored background. If you aren't logged in, enter your phone number, username, or email and password to do so now.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- When you no longer want to use Instagram or you need a social media break, you can temporarily deactivate your account.
- Your photos, comments, and likes will be hidden until your account is reactivated.
This will be in the bottom-right corner.

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You can find this in the top-right corner.
You'll be taken to a new page.
You can find this at the top of the page.
This will be underneath Accounts.
You can find this underneath your birthday.
8
Tap Deactivation or deletion. This should be the only option on the page.
- If you don't see this option, you'll need to use a web browser instead.
If you have multiple accounts linked to your Instagram app, tap the account you want to deactivate.
The bubble should be filled in next to Deactivate account by default. If it isn't, tap it to select it.
11
Enter your password. To confirm the deactivation, you'll need to provide your password.
- If you don't remember your password, you'll need to reset it first.
You'll need to tap a reason for deactivating. If you don't want to choose one, you can tap Something else.
13
Tap Deactivate account. This will confirm your decision. Your Instagram account will be deactivated, and you will be signed out of Instagram on all of your linked devices.
- To reactivate your account, log into your account again.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Using a Web Browser

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1
Open https://www.instagram.com/ in a web browser. If you're already logged into Instagram, this will take you to your Instagram home page.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you aren't logged in, enter your phone number, username, or email and password to do so now.
- If you want to permanently delete an account, you'll need to log in and request a deletion.
You can find this in the bottom-left corner. A pop-up menu will open.
A new page will open.
You can find this at the very top of the page.
This will be in the left panel, underneath Accounts.
You can find this underneath your birthday.
This should be the only option on the page.
If you have multiple accounts linked to your Instagram app, tap the account you want to deactivate.
The bubble should be filled in next to Deactivate account by default. If it isn't, tap it to select it.
To confirm the deactivation, you'll need to provide your password.
You'll need to tap a reason for deactivating. If you don't want to choose one, you can click Something else.
12
Click Deactivate account. This will confirm your decision. Your Instagram account will be deactivated, and you will be signed out of Instagram on all of your linked devices.
- To reactivate your account, log into your account again.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Reactivating Your Account

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Open the Instagram app or https://www.instagram.com/ in a web browser. You'll be able to reactivate your account using your computer or the mobile app.
2
Log in to Instagram. Log in to Instagram using your username and password. Your account will be reactivated.
- If you logged in on Instagram's website, your account will be reactivated, but you'll still need to enter your login information on your devices to access your account on the app.
3
Appeal a disabled account (optional). If your account was suspended, you'll need to use the Instagram Appeal form to restore it.
- Fill the form with your personal information and reason for the appeal. The Instagram team will review your appeal and contact you with the final decision.

Community Q&A

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Question

What will happen when I disable my Instagram account?

Community Answer

Nobody can search you, but your username is still taken by you. It is possible to reactivate at any time.

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Question

Why does Instagram say "no user found" when I try to log back in after deactivating my account?

Community Answer

It is likely your account was deactivated so long it was deleted.

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Question

How do I re-enable that account?

Community Answer

You simply attempt to log into that account again, but only after it's been disabled for 24 hours.

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Tips

You can re-activate your account at any time by logging back in.

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You will need to wait a few hours to reactivate your account if you are attempting to do so shortly after disabling it. The account must first finish the deactivation process which can take several hours. If so, simply wait and try again later.

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Warnings

Although your account will immediately cease to be discoverable by your friends and other followers, archived posts may still appear on Google searches. These can take several weeks to disappear.

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You can only deactivate your account once a week.

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