How to Temporarily Deactivate your Instagram Account

If you are an avid user of the Instagram app on your mobile phone, you will notice that there is no disable or delete function in your app. That is because the only way for you to deactivate or delete your Instagram account is by logging into the Instagram website.

In the Instagram website, you will be able to either disable your account or delete it entirely. By deleting your Instagram account, all your pictures and information in your account will be deleted forever. You also need to open a new Instagram account after that if you still want to use Instagram.

However, if you disable or deactivate your account, your account will only be hidden from the public and your followers until you reactivate it back. All your pictures, videos and information will still be intact. However, once you deactivate your Instagram account and activate it again, you need to wait until a week before you deactivate it back.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO DEACTIVATE YOUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT TEMPORARILY

1. To take a break from social media – Social media can be fun as well as frustrating at the same time. If you are one of those who wants to take a break from the social media without the need to delete your entire account, this option might be for you
2. To reorganize or rebrand your account – Sometimes, you probably need to pause your account to see the bigger picture. This includes temporarily deactivating your account and rearrange things before you start again. 
3. To handle life issues – Let’s face it, sometimes tragedy or significant life events happen. The last thing you would want is a distraction from your social media that shows your friends having happy moments while you are mourning. The best way is to deactivate your Instagram account while you grief temporarily. You can always activate back your account once you are ready to face life again.

So, whatever the reasons may be for you, here are the simple steps on how you can deactivate or disable your account.

Step 1

Open a web browser in your PC or laptop and go to https://www.instagram.com

Step 2

Log in to your Instagram account

Step 3

In your Instagram feed, click at your profile icon at the top right here

Step 4

In your profile menu, click at the “Edit Profile” at the top here

Step 5

At your profile settings, scroll down and click at “Temporarily Disable My Account.”

Step 6

Choose a reason why you want to deactivate your Instagram account in a pull-down menu here.

Type in your Instagram account password to verify that you are the owner of the account.

Step 7

Click at the “Temporarily Disable Account” button here to proceed.

So, there you have it – Simple steps on how you can easily deactivate your Instagram account. If you have experience in deactivating your Instagram account, feel free to leave us a comment below.

Please also read our previous article on how to edit and delete Instagram comments.