3 Easy Ways to Temporarily Disable Your Instagram Account

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Hide your Instagram account until you're ready to use it again

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: November 15, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Using the Mobile App
|
• Using a Web Browser
|
• Reactivating Your Account
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

When you deactivate your account on Instagram, your posts, comments, and likes will be hidden from others. 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.

Deactivate Your Instagram Account

To temporarily deactivate your Instagram account, go to Accounts Center → Personal details → Account ownership and control. Select Deactivation or deletion and select your account. Enter your password, confirm your decision, and select Deactivate account. To reactivate it, just log in to your account again.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using the Mobile App

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1. 
   1
   Tap ☰ on your profile tab. You can find this in the top-right corner of your profile. Make sure you're logged into the correct Instagram account.

   • 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.
2. 
   2
   Tap Accounts Center. You can find this at the top of the page.

   • On some devices, you may need to tap Settings and privacy first.
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3. 
   3
   Tap Personal details. This will be underneath Accounts.
4. 
   4
   Tap Account ownership and control. You can find this underneath your birthday.
5. 
   5
   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.
6. 
   6
   Tap your Instagram account. If you have multiple accounts linked to your Instagram app, tap the account you want to deactivate.
7. 
   7
   Tap Continue. The bubble should be filled in next to Deactivate account by default. If it isn't, tap it to select it.
8. 
   8
   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.
9. 
   9
   Select a reason and tap Continue. You'll need to tap a reason for deactivating. If you don't want to choose one, you can tap Something else.
10. 
    10
    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 in to your account again.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Web Browser

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1. 
   1
   Open www.instagram.com in a web browser. If you're already logged into Instagram, this will take you to your Instagram home page.

   • 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.
2. 
   2
   Click ☰ More. You can find this in the bottom-left corner. A pop-up menu will open.
3. 
   3
   Click Settings. A new page will open.
4. 
   4
   Click See more in Accounts Center. You can find this at the very top of the page.
5. 
   5
   Click Personal details. This will be in the left panel, underneath Accounts.
6. 
   6
   Click Account ownership and control. You can find this underneath your birthday.
7. 
   7
   ClickDeactivation or deletion. This should be the only option on the page.
8. 
   8
   Click your Instagram account. If you have multiple accounts linked to your Instagram app, tap the account you want to deactivate.
9. 
   9
   Click Continue. The bubble should be filled in next to Deactivate account by default. If it isn't, tap it to select it.
10. 
    10
    Enter your password. To confirm the deactivation, you'll need to provide your password.
11. 
    11
    Select a reason and click Continue. You'll need to tap a reason for deactivating. If you don't want to choose one, you can click Something else.
12. 
    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 in to your account again.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Reactivating Your Account

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1. 
   1
   Open the Instagram app or go to www.instagram.com in a web browser. You'll be able to reactivate your account using your computer or the mobile app.
2. 
   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.
   • If you can't access your account, it may have been disabled. If it was disabled, you'll see on-screen instructions on how to access your account again. If you don't see these instructions, try resetting your password to gain access again.
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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.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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  Not Helpful 14 Helpful 60
• Question

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

  

  Community Answer

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

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 11 Helpful 49
• Question

  How long can an Instagram account stay deactivated before getting permanently deleted?

  

  Community Answer

  Before an Instagram account is permanently deleted after temporarily disabling it, it takes one week (7 days) for it to permanently delete.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• 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

• You can only deactivate your account once a week.
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• 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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