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Even easier and more private than our web appUpdated January 2026
Take a break from Instagram without losing your data. Your photos, followers, and messages will be waiting when you return.
Quick Answer
Go to Settings → Account Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion → Deactivate account. Your account will be hidden until you log back in.
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (☰) in the top right, then select 'Settings and privacy'.
Scroll down and tap 'Account Center'. This is Meta's unified settings hub for Instagram and Facebook.
Tap 'Personal details', then select 'Account ownership and control'.
Tap 'Deactivation or deletion', choose your Instagram account, then select 'Deactivate account' (not 'Delete account').
Select a reason for leaving (optional), enter your password, and tap 'Deactivate'. Your account is now hidden.
Ready to come back? Simply open Instagram and log in with your username and password. Your account will be instantly restored with all your content, followers, and settings exactly as you left them.
Before taking a break
Curious to know which followers you might be leaving behind? See who unfollowed you and who your real supporters are before you deactivate.
Check your followersWhen you deactivate, your profile, photos, comments, and likes become hidden from everyone. Your username is reserved for you, and all your data is saved. No one can find your account or see your content until you reactivate by logging back in.
There's no time limit—you can keep your account deactivated indefinitely. Instagram won't delete your account or data no matter how long you stay away. Your account will remain exactly as you left it until you decide to return.
No, your followers are preserved. When you reactivate, you'll have the same followers as before. However, some followers might unfollow you while you're away if they notice your account is gone, but this is their choice, not an automatic removal.
Simply log back into your account using your username and password. Your account will be instantly reactivated and all your content, followers, and following will be restored exactly as they were before deactivation.
Yes, you can deactivate from both the Instagram app and web browser. Go to Settings → Account Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control → Deactivation or deletion → Deactivate account. The process is the same on iPhone, Android, and desktop.
Instagram limits deactivation to once per week. If you've recently deactivated and reactivated, you may need to wait up to 7 days before you can deactivate again. This is to prevent abuse of the feature.
Instagram doesn't notify anyone when you deactivate. However, people may notice that your profile shows 'User not found' when they search for you, your comments disappear from posts, and you vanish from their followers/following lists.
Deactivation is temporary and reversible—your data is saved and you can return anytime by logging in. Deletion is permanent—after 30 days, your account and all data are permanently erased and cannot be recovered.