Are you looking to delete your old Instagram account but aren’t just quite sure how to do it?
Don’t worry! We’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of deleting your Instagram account, even if you no longer remember your password, email, or username.
So whether you’re planning on closing down your account for good or just taking a break from Instagram, follow these steps, and you’ll be done in no time.
3 Methods To Delete an Old Instagram Account
1. Via Email
Your email is your primary link to your Instagram account. Therefore, it’s only natural that if you no longer wish to be part of the Instagram community – you’ll first try to deactivate your account through your email.
Here are the basic steps, which are the same on Android, iPhone, and desktops:
- Go to the Instagram page – or the Instagram app if you’re accessing through a mobile device (make sure you’re logged out).
- Tap on the Forgot password? button.
- On the next screen, type in your email address (the one you used for accessing your Insta account).
- Next, click on the Send Login Link button.
- Now, go to your email and tap on the link in the message sent from Instagram. This will take you to a password renewal, and you’ll be able to enter your old Instagram account again.
- Or lately, a button saying Reset your password will probably appear.
Once you access your account – follow the steps for further deleting and terminating your Instagram account (explained in this article below).
2. Via Facebook
This option is available only for those who have merged/synchronized their Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Follow the same process as explained in the previous method.
- Press the Forgot password/ Forgot your login details? field.
- On the next screen that appears, choose Use Username or Email.
- Now, enter either your username or your email address.
If you have previously synced your accounts – the following screen will appear.
- Choose to Log in with Facebook.
- Next, enter your Facebook login credentials. Or, if you’re logged from your mobile device, the system will log you into your old Instagram account automatically.
Hereafter, follow the steps for deleting your Instagram account (see below).
3. Via Phone Number
This procedure is the simplest one, especially if you’re trying to access an old and long-forgotten Instagram account directly from your mobile device.
However, in this specific case – you’re using your phone number to access a forgotten password instead of verifying it’s you. This is because your phone number is directly linked with your entire device. Otherwise known as a ‘two-factor authentication.’
- Click on the Forgot password / Forgot login credentials button.
- Choose the option to send an SMS in order to log in to your Instagram account.
- On the next screen, enter your phone number along with the country code – and finish by pressing Send Confirmation.
Inside your retrieved Instagram account, follow the steps to delete your Instagram once and for all.
How To Delete Instagram Account?
We’ve explained the methods to retrieve your Instagram account if you don’t have your username or password.
Now – let’s head on to the main part – deleting your account.
- Keep in mind that this method will delete your Instagram account, but you’ll also lose all your data, like friends’ information, videos, pictures, reels, etc.
- You also have the option to deactivate your account – which would let you keep, i.e., save all your data + your profile will be intact in case you decide to make a come back to this particular social network.
- Deleting your account, on the other hand, means that you will never be able to retrieve your information again. So, if you’re determined to delete your Instagram account, make copies of your precious memories before they’re lost forever.
With that out of the way, there’s one more thing you need to know: deleting your Instagram account can NOT be done through the Instagram app. You still need to be logged in to the account to delete it, but you need to access the Delete your account web page from your Internet browser.
- In other words – enter Instagram Help Center Navigation.
- From here, choose Manage your Account, and from the drop-down menu, choose to Delete your account.
3. To proceed with the deletion of your Instagram account, you must Choose a reason.
4. After selecting a proper reason, you’ll be asked to re-enter your password (the one you’ve changed and obtained through the above-explained methods to enter your Insta account).
5. Finish by clicking Delete [your username].
Congratulations! You don’t have an Instagram account (not anymore).
Finishing Words
If you’re ready to get rid of an old Instagram account – there are a few things to consider.
First, make sure you’ve downloaded a copy of everything you want to be saved from your personal account. Then – deactivate it from the Settings menu or by contacting Instagram support.
Remember that once your account is deactivated, it will be hidden from view but won’t be deleted outright.
Furthermore, once you succeed in deleting your account – there is absolutely no turning back because you can’t retrieve any of the data. Even if you try logging in again using your credentials – it will be just a waste of time.
So, only if you’re absolutely sure to say ‘goodbye’ to your Instagram account – proceed with the steps explained in this guide.
