If you no longer need a social media profile, you often want to get rid of it for good. Deleting an account permanently means a deliberate removal of your own profile, not recovering a hacked account. Using Instagram as the example, this guide walks through the steps, the one-month waiting period and the data you should save beforehand.
Short answer: According to the Stiftung Warentest guide (2022, last changed 2023), you delete an Instagram account on a computer via “Help”, not in the app. After you confirm, the profile stays invisible for one month, and logging in during that period cancels the deletion. Download your data beforehand and cancel any running subscriptions. Menus may have changed since, so the provider’s current help page is the binding reference. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Deactivating is temporary, deleting is permanent. These are two different steps.
- On Instagram, deletion runs through a computer and the help navigation.
- After you confirm, you have one month in which logging in still stops the process.
- Download your photos, videos and other data beforehand through the data download.
- Check running subscriptions and purchases separately before the profile disappears.
What is the difference between deactivating and deleting?
Deactivating suits you if you want a break. The account rests but is kept, and you can reactivate it later. Deleting is the step in which you give up the profile for good. The distinction matters because on Instagram the two routes run through different menus.
| Aspect | Deactivate | Delete |
|---|---|---|
| Effect | Account rests temporarily | Account is removed permanently |
| Route on Instagram | Edit profile, then temporarily deactivate | Help, manage account, delete account |
| Return | Logging in reactivates the account | Logging in within the month cancels the deletion |
| Data | Kept | Removed permanently |
Which steps are needed on Instagram?
The guide by Stiftung Warentest walks through the process step by step. Labels can change, so compare them with the provider’s help page.
- Log in on a computer with your username, email address or phone number and password.
- Under “Edit profile”, scroll down and click “Help”.
- Select “Manage account” on the left, then “Delete your account” and “How do I delete my Instagram account”.
- Click the blue underlined link “Delete your account”.
- Choose a reason, enter your password and confirm with the blue button that includes the word “delete”.
Which data should you save beforehand?
After deletion you no longer have access to the profile. That is why you should request your data first. The route runs through “Edit profile” and the item “Download your information”. You receive an archive with your photos, videos and other data. Open the archive and check that everything important is included before you start the deletion.
Also check whether you have stored content only in messages, drafts or groups. Save such content separately if you need it, because it does not always sit in the areas you see every day.
Checklist before you delete
| Before deleting | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Data download requested and checked | Once deleted, the profile is no longer reachable |
| Running subscriptions and purchases reviewed | Contracts continue independently of the profile until you end them |
| Linked logins noted | Services that sign in through the account need their own access afterwards |
| Password at hand | Without the password the deletion cannot be confirmed |
What remains after deletion?
Deleting removes your own profile. Content that other people shared, commented on or tagged you in can remain. If you want data removed by a provider, you can rely on the right to erasure under data protection law. The guide Recht auf Löschung: So lässt du Daten bei Online-Diensten entfernen (in German) explains how to proceed.
Common mistakes when deleting
Many people do not fail because of the procedure but because of small misunderstandings. The most frequent ones are these.
- Searching for the deletion in the app, although the process runs on a computer.
- Logging out and assuming the account is deleted. Logging out is not the same as deleting.
- Logging in again out of habit during the one-month period, which cancels the deletion.
- Forgetting subscriptions and purchases because they are managed outside the profile.
How does this relate to account security?
An unused account remains a target if its password is weak or reused. As long as you keep an account, it is worth looking at two-factor authentication (in German). Deleting a profile you no longer use reduces the number of logins you have to protect later.
Frequently asked questions
Is deleting an account really permanent?
After the one-month period has passed, deletion is permanent, as the instructions describe. While the period runs, you can stop the process by logging in again. If you are unsure, postpone the deletion until you have checked the data download.
Do I have to deactivate the account first?
No. Deletion is possible directly through the help navigation. Deactivating only makes sense if you want the profile to rest for a while.
Can I delete the account in the app?
According to the instructions, deletion runs on a computer and not in the app. Use a browser on your computer and sign in with your access details.
What about subscriptions I booked through the account?
Do not rely on the profile ending your contracts. Check your contract overview yourself. The guide Abo online kündigen: Was der Kündigungsbutton verlangt (in German) shows how to end a subscription online.
How do I proceed with other networks?
On Facebook, TikTok or X, the routes and waiting periods differ. The help page of the respective provider is binding, because steps and waiting times can change there. On larger networks, the instructions can usually be found in the help section under the terms account, delete and deactivate.
How to proceed now
- Request your data download and check the files.
- Cancel running subscriptions and review purchases that ran through the account.
- Decide whether you want to deactivate or delete permanently.
- Confirm the deletion through the help page and do not log in during the one-month period.
How long does the process take overall?
The actual click takes a few minutes. The effect, however, runs across the month that the instructions describe as a waiting period. Plan a period in which you no longer use the account actively, and check afterwards that the profile has really disappeared. If you use the profile professionally, inform your contacts through other channels beforehand so that nobody waits for a profile that no longer exists.
A final tip: note the date of confirmation. That tells you when the one-month period ends and lets you intervene in time if needed.
Related reading
- Digital rights in everyday life: An overview for students (in German)
- Right to erasure: How to have data removed from online services (in German)
- Cancel a subscription online: What the cancellation button requires (in German)
- Set up two-factor authentication: Step by step (in German)
- Data breach at a service: What you should do now (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
