How do i close out my instagram account

• You can delete your Instagram account permanently from the account deletion page.
• If you think you might want to recover your Instagram account later, you can also deactivate it temporarily.
• To delete or deactivate your Instagram account, you'll need to use a web browser, not the app.
• This story is part of Business Insider's Guide to Instagram.

Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites around — and one of the most addicting. If you want to tone down your Instagram habits, you can always delete or deactivate your Instagram account.

The difference between the two options is that deleting your Instagram account is permanent, while deactivating is temporary and lets you get your account back later.

To delete or deactivate your Instagram account, you'll need to use a desktop web browser or the web browser on your smartphone. You can't do it through the mobile app.

Here's how to do both.

How to delete your Instagram account permanently

1. On a desktop or mobile web browser, go to the Instagram website and log into your account using your username and password.

2. Once logged in, go to the account deletion page. 

3. From the drop-down menu at the top of the screen, choose the reason that you're deleting your account. 

4. Once you've chosen your reason for deleting, you'll be asked to re-enter your password. Do so, and then click the blue Delete [Account Name] button.

Instagram notes that it'll take a month for your data to be fully erased. Until then, your account will just be hidden from public view.

How to deactivate your Instagram account temporarily

If you think you want to recover your Instagram account later, you should disable it temporarily. This hides it from public view, but lets you restore it whenever you like.

1. Log into your Instagram account on the web and go to your profile page, then click Edit profile at the top of the page.

2. At the bottom of the page that opens, select Temporarily disable my account.

3. Select a reason that you're disabling your account and re-enter your password.

4. Click Temporarily Disable Account.

To reactivate your account in the future, simply log back into the Instagram app with your username and password. 

Instagram, like its parent corporation Facebook, is no stranger to the odd privacy scandal.

From Cambridge Analytica to leaking user passwords and automatically tracking your location by default, Instagram poses a serious threat to your privacy. It also shares your in-app activity - such as likes, comments, your interaction with stories, etc. - with other users. And more recently, it's been informing other users when you are active, and even the last time you were active.

Plus, with new reports increasingly discussing the negative effects of social media on mental health, it's no wonder a big group of people are ready to log off Instagram for good.

If you want to share a little bit less online, you might also consider deleting or deactivating your social media accounts. If you're ready, this article will show you how to permanently delete your Instagram account.

BE AWARE: Every click, every share, and every download can be and is tracked, stored, and sold by app creators, internet service providers, and telecom companies. Only a VPN like ExpressVPN can protect you and prevent these third parties from collecting and selling your sensitive data.

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Deactivating vs Deleting: What You Need to Know

You can both deactivate and permanently delete your Instagram account, depending on your preference.

Deactivating your account is temporary, but whilst it is deactivated, your account, along with your profile, followers, photos, like, and comments will be hidden from other users. To restore all of this information and start using Instagram normally again, simply log back into your account.

Deleting your Instagram account cannot be undone - a deleted account cannot be restored. When you delete your Instagram account, all of your data, including photos, followers, likes, etc. will be deleted for good. In the future, if you choose to sign up to Instagram again, you won’t be able to use the same username again, nor will anyone else.

Deactivating an Instagram Account

You can’t deactivate Instagram through the app, it has to be done on a web browser on the Instagram website. If you want to take a break from Instagram, you can deactivate your account by taking these steps:

1. On the Instagram website, log in to your account and click on the person icon to go to your profile page.
2. Select ‘Edit Profile’, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click ‘Temporarily disable my account’.
3. You will be asked ‘Why are you disabling your account?’, select a reason from the drop-down menu.
4. Re-enter your password and select ‘Temporarily disable account’.
5. Your account is now deactivated and it will be hidden from other users until you log in to it once again. NOTE: As per Instagram’s usage policy, you can only deactivate your Instagram account once a week.

Downloading Your Instagram Data

Once you've deleted your Instagram account, all of your data is gone for good - it cannot be retrieved.

Therefore, you may want to download your Instagram data before you delete your account, so you still have all the photos, videos, etc. that you have posted over time. To download a copy of your Instagram data:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and select 'Settings' (gear icon).
2. Click on the ‘Privacy & Security’ tab and click ‘Request Download’.
3. Enter the email address where you would like to receive a link to your Instagram data, followed by your password.
4. Within 48 hours you should receive an email with a link to your data, titled ‘Your Instagram Data’. Click ‘Download Data’.

Step-By-Step Guide: How to Delete Your Instagram Account

Like with deactivating, an Instagram account can only be deleted through a web browser. To permanently delete your Instagram account, follow these simple steps:

1. Log in to your account on the Instagram website.
   
2. Go to Instagram’s ‘Delete Your Account’ page. Select from the drop-down menu your reason for leaving.
   
3. Enter your password and click ‘Permanently delete my account’.
   
4. Your Instagram account is now deleted.
   

Other Ways to Keep Your Data Private

Many of us use a Cloud Storage Service to back up our important data and/or to store files.  If you use one of these storage services, choose one that automatically encrypts your files. However, as the cloud provider holds the key to your encryption, they may be able to access your data and even share it with government authorities at their request.

You can get around this problem by manually encrypting your files yourself before uploading them to the cloud. Therefore, you will be the only one holding the key to your data. Your cloud provider will have no access, as long as you don't also upload the encryption keys to the cloud.

There are a number of free encryption programs out there that are easy to use, even if you have no prior experience of manually encrypting your data.

Choose encryption software that is compatible with your computer and mobile operating systems, and with your cloud storage provider. Your encryption program should also have end-to-end encryption, and should never store your password.

Conclusion and Further Reading

These days, it's important to do whatever you can to stay safe on social media and avoid becoming the victim of cybercriminals.

If you are interested in learning more ways in which you can protect your privacy online, check out our detailed guide.

Or, if you also want to delete your profile on Facebook, take a look at our step-by-step instructions.

Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

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