Considering a break from your Instagram feed? And whether you’re interested in taking a break or simply want to tidy up your digital footprint, deactivating an Instagram account is an easy task.

Imagine it as a vacation from social media — your personal details, profile, photos, and all of your interactions are left intact, but invisible.

Here’s how to take a little break from Instagram without taking the full break in just a few steps.

Understanding How to Deactivate Your Instagram Account

Disabling your Instagram account renders it, along with your profile, photos, comments, and even “likes” invisible to the eyes of the public.

(This is separate from deleting an account, which permanently erases all your content and cannot be undone.) Common reasons for deactivating might include taking a mental health break, preparing for exams or projects or feeling a general sense of inundation from social media.

For whatever reason, you deactivated it, the process is not reversible, and you can reactivate your profile simply by signing back in.

Getting Ready to Temporarily Disable Your Instagram Account

But before you hit that deactivate button, there are a couple of things you’ll need to consider:

1. Back up your data. Instagram has a tool to download all of your data — photos, comments, profile information and so forth. It’s a good step to take should you ever decide to abandon the platform for good.

2. Notify your close contacts. If you tend to engage with friends or followers, you may also consider telling them you are taking a break. This will prevent you from worrying them when they discover you are missing.

How to Deactivate Instagram on Android

1. Open your Instagram app on your Android™ device. Make sure you’re logged in to the account you want to deactivate.
2. Tap your profile (profile icon) in the bottom-right corner.
3. Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner, then tap Settings.
4. Scroll down, and tap on Help > Help Centre. The Help Centre opens in your device’s web browser—you may need to log in again.
5. Search for the deactivated account, then follow the link to temporarily deactivate your account.
6. Choose your reason for leaving from the menu and re-enter your password.
7. Tap Temporarily Disable Account, and you’re set.

How to Deactivate Instagram on iPhone

The steps for iPhone® users are similar to those on Android:

1. Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner.
3.  Scroll to the bottom, and tap Help > Help Centre.
4. In the browser that opens, search for “deactivate account” and follow the instructions provided.
5. After selecting your reason and entering your password, confirm by tapping Temporarily Disable Account.

What Happens After Deactivation?

When deactivated, your profile, along with all of the content, will be removed from Instagram and will only reappear when you log in again (reactivate the account). Also, just to let you know that you can only deactivate your account once a week.

Want to deactivate your other social media accounts as well? Need help? Here’s a quick guide on how to deactivate or delete Facebook on an iPhone or Android device.

Tried these steps and still need help? We got you. Have a tech problem? Get it solved when you call or chat with an expert now.