How do I deactivate my Instagram account?

IF you’re looking for a break from Instagram you can temporarily disable your account – and then return to it later.

If you decide you’ve had enough but don’t want to permanently delete your account, here are the steps to follow.

If you fancy taking a break from Instagram for a while, you can temporarily deactivate your account without losing all your uploaded photos Credit: Getty – Contributor

How do I deactivate my Instagram account?

If you want to come off Instagram for a short while, but not lose any of your uploaded photographs or videos, here’s what you need to do…

Using a phone or computer, go to the Instagram website and log in. Note: you cannot temporarily deactivate your account through the Instagram app.
In the top right hand corner, tap or click on your profile picture.
Then tap or click Profile and Edit Profile.
Scroll down the page and in the bottom right, select temporarily disable my account.
You will then be asked why you have decided to leave the app and to confirm your password.
Last but not least, click Temporarily Disable Account, and you’re done.

Your followers will not be able to see your profile or interact with you through Instagram Credit: Alamy

Can I reactivate my account if I change my mind?

You can choose to deactivate your Instagram account for as long as you want.

Once the deed is done, your profile along with all your pictures and posts will be hidden.

Friends won’t be able to contact you over the app and even your profile URL will draw a blank.

But if you change your mind, not to worry, you can reactivate your account by simply logging back in on the app.

You can't deactivate Instagram through the mobile app - you must be on a computer or a mobile browser to do so — You can’t deactivate Instagram through the mobile app – you must be on a computer or a mobile browser to do soCredit: Instagram

As a rule of thumb, Instagram will ask you to wait at least 24 hours before reactivating your profile as it takes some time to process your request.

Make sure you disable your account rather than delete, otherwise you only have 30 days to bring it back from the dead before your profile is lost forever.

Even though your profile is hidden or deleted, it does mean Instagram does dtill have your personal data.

If this is what you’re worried about, you have to contact the company directly and ask them to delete it.

You can reactivate your account whenever you like - but usually Instagram requires you to wait at least 24 hours — You can reactivate your account whenever you like – but usually Instagram requires you to wait at least 24 hours Credit: Alamy

Can I use Instagram without an account?

You used to be able to view public profiles on Instagram even without being a member.

But since the latest update, you might find this difficult.

Try it, and Instagram will conveniently prompt you to login or create a new account.

If you really want to access someone’s public profile, but really don’t want to join the gram community, there is another option.

You can download a third party application like ImgInn, which is totally free.

This will give you access to public profiles, posts and pictures, but not Instagram stories.

Fortunately, there are also applications which allow you to view stories even if you don’t have an account.

This said, if you have gone to the trouble of downloading third party applications to view Instagram profiles, it may be easier to simply reactive your old account or create a new one.

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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk