you go through the deletion process we outlined above, your Instagram account will be deleted immediately. This is different from Facebook, which disables your account for two weeks before queuing it for deletion, which can take up to 90 days (104 days total). You don’t have the same cushion when deleting Instagram, so be sure about your decision once you decide to delete it.

If you’re wondering how long it takes Instagram to delete inactive accounts or accounts reported for spam/botting, the answer is a little less certain. Instagram periodically deletes completely inactive accounts and accounts that are detected to be bots through their system, though no one except for Instagram is entirely sure how often this happens or what the parameters for deletion are.

Trouble Logging In

If you have been hacked and you want to protect your personal information, then you might find the above steps easier said than done. Unfortunately, there is no way to delete or disable an account without first logging in. Nor can you appeal to Instagram to do it for you. If you cannot remember or find your password, or if it has been changed by someone else, follow these steps to recover it.

  1. Open the app.


  2. Tap Get help logging in under the Login button.


  3. If you have Android, choose one of the following: ‘Use username, email or phone‘, or ‘Log in with Facebook.’
  4. If you have iOS, choose one of the following: Username or Phone.


  5. Follow the prompts after your selection.