Deactivating Instagram: Here's how to do it and what it means for your followers

Tiffany Acosta, Arizona Republic
·4 min read

Instagram has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide and is known for its emphasis on visual content, particularly photos and videos. Launched in 2010, Instagram allows users to share moments from their lives through posts, stories and reels.

However, Instagram's popularity has also raised concerns about privacy, mental health and excessive screen time. To address these concerns, users have the option to temporarily deactivate their accounts.

Deactivation allows users to take a break, reduce distractions or address mental health issues related to social media use. Users can temporarily hide their profiles, posts and activities by deactivating their accounts, providing a respite from the constant pressure to engage with the platform.

If you need a little break, here is everything you need to know about how to deactivate your Instagram account.

How do you deactivate an Instagram account?

To deactivate your Instagram account, follow these steps from the Instagram website:

  • Open a web browser and go to the Instagram website, instagram.com.

  • Log in to your Instagram account using your username and password.

  • Click on your profile picture in the top right corner to view your profile page.

  • Click on "Edit Profile" next to your username.

  • Scroll down and click on "Temporarily disable my account" at the bottom right corner of the page.

  • Select a reason for deactivating your account from the drop-down menu.

  • Re-enter your password when prompted.

  • Click on "Temporarily Disable Account".

Deactivating your account is temporary, and you can reactivate it at any time by logging back in. You can also permanently delete your account instead of deactivating it if you prefer.

How long can I temporarily deactivate my Instagram account?

You can temporarily deactivate your Instagram account for as long as you want. You can reactivate your account whenever you're ready by logging back in with your username and password. If you don't log in within a certain period, typically a few weeks, Instagram may automatically log you out for security reasons, but you can still log back in.

What happens when you deactivate an Instagram account?

When you deactivate your Instagram account, your profile, photos, comments and likes become hidden from other users, rendering your account invisible. Your followers and following lists are also hidden, and you won't receive any notifications.

While your account data is not deleted and can be restored if you reactivate your account, you won't be able to access or use any Instagram features until you log back in.

Is it a good idea to deactivate an Instagram account?

Whether deactivating your Instagram account is a good idea depends on your circumstances. Here are some potential reasons why deactivating might be a good idea:

  • Mental health concerns: If you find that Instagram use is negatively impacting your mental health, such as by causing anxiety, depression or feelings of inadequacy due to comparison with others, deactivating your account could be beneficial.

  • Productivity: Social media platforms can be time-consuming. If you find yourself spending too much time scrolling through your feed or constantly checking notifications, deactivating your account could help you reclaim time for more productive activities.

  • Privacy concerns: If you're concerned about your privacy on social media, deactivating your Instagram account can make you less visible.

  • Distraction: Social media can be a source of distraction, making it difficult to focus on important tasks or activities. Deactivating your account could help you focus on other aspects of your life.

What do followers see when your Instagram account is deactivated?

When you deactivate your Instagram account, your profile disappears from view, and your followers can't see your posts or activities. Your username will vanish from the lists of people they follow. Essentially, your account becomes dormant, and your followers won't receive any notifications related to your account. They won't be able to send you messages or tag you in their content.

Can people unfollow me when I deactivate?

When you deactivate your Instagram account, your profile becomes temporarily hidden from other users and your posts, comments, likes and other activities are not visible to them. Users cannot interact with your account while it's deactivated, including following or unfollowing you.

If someone tries to unfollow you while your account is deactivated, the action will not be possible because your account is essentially frozen. Your follower count will remain the same during this time.

Once you reactivate your Instagram account, your profile and activities become visible again and users will be able to interact with your account as usual, including following or unfollowing you.

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Can you see messages from a deactivated Instagram account?

No. When you deactivate your Instagram account, all your messages become inaccessible to both you and the people you were messaging. Similarly, the people you were messaging won't be able to see or access the messages you exchanged with them while your account is deactivated.

Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How to temporarily deactivate Instagram and why you might want to