Social media can be overwhelming at times. You might just be feeling tired of the whole trending drama of the day, the fake lives of people or even the load of misinformation thrown your way.
Whatever your reason, sometimes we all need to step back from Instagram. And the best part is that you don’t really have to wait around for a week to make it happen!
You can deactivate your Instagram account whenever you want. But then, there’s a limit to how many times you can deactivate your Instagram account.
You can’t disable your account more than five times. Instead, you can consider deleting your account altogether while Instagram saves your data permanently.
Whatever you want to do is fine and this article will show you how to go about it.
Reasons You May Want to Deactivate Your Instagram Account
For Your Mental Health
If you have been using social media for a while, you will agree that constant exposure to social media can take a toll on your mental well-being.
Instagram, with its curated feed of seemingly perfect lives, can make you feel like you are not good enough or you are missing out on a lot.
Deactivating your account can provide a much-needed break from this digital noise. It allows you to focus on real-life events and the people around you.
Increased Productivity
Let’s face it, one of the best ways to kill time is by simply scrolling through Instagram.
Those “quick checks” often turn into hour-long browsing sessions, eating into time that could be spent on more productive activities.
By deactivating your account, you remove this temptation, potentially freeing up hours each day.
This extra time can be redirected towards pursuing hobbies, learning new skills or simply being more present in your daily life.
Privacy
With fraudsters and hackers learning new ways to do their “business”, the less online presence you have, the safer you are.
Also, Instagram, like many social platforms, collects user data for targeted advertising and other purposes.
Deactivating your account can help limit your digital footprint and give you more control over your personal information. It’s a way to step back and reassess what you’re comfortable sharing in the digital sphere.
Difference Between Deactivating and Deleting Your Instagram account?
Before we jump into how you can deactivate, let’s clear up a common confusion.
Temporary deactivation and permanent deletion are like distant cousins – related, but definitely not the same thing.
Temporary deactivation is like hibernating your account. Your profile, photos, comments, and likes are hidden from view, but they are not gone forever.
It’s perfect for when you need a breather or want to lay low for a while. The best part is that you can open your account whenever you are ready to return to the world of filters and hashtags.
On the other hand, permanent deletion is a nuclear button. It’s the “there’s no going back” choice that wipes your account off the face of Instagram.
All your content, followers, and even your bio will be deleted.
How To Temporarily Deactivate Your Account on Instagram
Here’s a step-by-step guide to temporary deactivation of your Instagram account:
- Open Instagram on your desktop browser. Yes, you read that right – this can’t be done through the app.
- Log in to your account and go to your profile page.
- Click on the Edit Profile button near your bio.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and look for the “Temporarily disable my account” link.
- Instagram will ask you why you are leaving. Don’t worry–just choose a reason from the drop-down menu.
- Re-enter your password to prove that it’s really you
- Click the “Temporarily Disable Account” button, and voila! You’re officially off Instagram
Remember, you can reactivate anytime by simply logging back in.
How To Delete Your Account on Instagram Permanently
If you have decided to go all in and bid farewell to Instagram for good, here’s how to delete your account:
- Once again, head to Instagram.com in your browser.
- Instead of logging in, look for the “Delete Your Account” page. You can find it by searching “delete Instagram account” in your favourite search engine.
- Log in when prompted.
- Choose a reason for leaving from the drop-down menu. Don’t worry, there’s no judgment here.
- Re-enter your password.
- Click the “Permanently delete my account” button.
- Click “OK” to confirm.
Keep in mind that once you have deleted your account, there’s no going back. Instagram will permanently remove all your data after 30 days.
So if you have second thoughts, you’ve got about a month to change your mind before your digital footprint vanishes from Instagram.
FAQ
I can’t deactivate my Instagram account. Why?
One reason for this is that the Instagram app may be experiencing technical glitches.
However, if you are signed up to your account properly, you ought to easily get rid of your Instagram account, whether temporary or permanent.
If things don’t work after a while, you can get in touch with the Instagram help desk.
Sometimes, it’s only the Instagram app that malfunctions. If you access the platform via a desktop browser, you should be able to permanently delete your Instagram account or deactivate it.
Lastly, if all else fails, you can always contact Instagram’s customer support for help.
Can Instagram ban you for days?
An Instagram ban has a duration period of one to two days. However, a shadow ban could be in effect for weeks.
If you become more careful and conscious of what you post, Instagram will revoke the ban after a while.
However, if you keep on violating their policies that resulted in the ban, Instagram will not stop restricting your account.
Can Instagram ban your account without warning?
It depends. If your account is banned, you may see a notification after logging in.
But in cases of serious breach of Instagram’s community guidelines or terms of use, the account may be banned without prior notice.
Would anything happen if my Instagram account was deactivated for too long?
No. You can deactivate your account, however long as you like.
Furthermore, Instagram won’t purge your account data for any reason.
It will continue to store them on its servers implying that whenever you choose to return to your account.
The data will still be intact.
Do Instagram accounts automatically become deactivated if not used?
That is true.
Accounts that have been deactivated for a long time are purged from Instagram’s database.
Instagram uses some deciding factors to delete accounts that are not in use from their platform.
What is the sign that an Instagram Account has been deactivated?
Some indications include that their profile picture has disappeared and their username will show up as “Instagram User,” or you won’t find their messages.
Can I hide my Instagram account without deactivating it?
Those who are uninterested in deactivating their IG account can opt to set their posts to private or block snooping users.
Does Instagram block VPNs?
Not true. Instagram doesn’t restrict the usage of VPNs.
If you experience challenges signing into Instagram using a VPN, the reason for that isn’t connected to your VPN.
This could be an issue with your network provider or server.
Can someone find my IG account if I deactivate it?
No. Other users can’t find your profile together with your picture, likes and comments.
It would seem as if your account has disappeared totally from the platform.
This implies that your followers can’t visit your profile, even when they search for it.
What happens if I leave my Instagram account deleted for a month?
After a month of getting your account deleted, Instagram will irreversibly delete your account and all your data, and it will be impossible to get it back.
Does Instagram Prevent Account Deactivation?
No, Instagram won’t stop you from deactivating your account.
However, they will subtly discourage you from deactivating your Instagram account.
It may be their complex user interface design or glitches, but some users say they experience challenges.
Is there a limit to deactivating Instagram?
The good news is that Instagram lets you deactivate your account whenever you like. There isn’t a specific duration for the length of time your account can be deactivated.
Can you lose your username if you deactivate Instagram?
No. it is highly unlikely.
Can Instagram suspend you for a week?
The time frame of an Instagram ban depends on the offence committed. Some bans can have a duration period of a few hours, while others can continue for days or longer.
Conclusion
Taking a break from social media is okay and sometimes even refreshing for your mental health. Whether you are stepping away for a day, a month, or forever, do what feels right for you.
But then, if you have temporarily deactivated your Instagram account and reactivated it, you have to wait a week after reactivating it before you can temporarily disable the account again.
Sadly, this is Instagram’s policy at the moment and you can’t really bypass it. But the good news is you can delete your account without waiting a week.
PrimeGate Digital is a Result Driven Blog that strives to go beyond ‘Conventional Digital Marketing’ through digital innovation and performance marketing. We have experience working with world class brands and products.
