Whatever the reason, if you are done with Instagram, you have two choices. Make a permanent break (delete your Instagram account forever with no give backs) or take a temporary break (deactivate your Instagram account with the intention of coming back later like Britney Spears).

Pro tip: Before you delete or disable your account, download your data. You can request your data on a mobile browser, desktop or in the app. (Instructions below).

If you are ready to delete or deactivate your Instagram app, fire up a web browser on your desktop or phone. You cannot delete or deactivate your Instagram account on the app. Then follow this step-by-step guide.

How do I temporarily disable my Instagram account?

If you temporarily disable your account, your profile, photos, comments and likes will be hidden until you reactivate it by logging back in. You can only disable your Instagram account from a computer or mobile browser.

To temporarily disable your account:

Instagram.com from a computer:

1Log in to instagram.com from a computer. You can’t temporarily disable your account from within the Instagram app.2Click your profile picture in the top right and click Profile, then click Edit profile.3Scroll down, then click Temporarily disable my account in the bottom right.4Select an option from the drop-down menu next to Why are you disabling your account? and re-enter your password. The option to disable your account will only appear after you’ve selected a reason from the menu and entered your password.5Click Temporarily disable account.

Instagram.com from a mobile browser:

You’ll need to be able to log in to your account to temporarily disable it. If you can’t remember your password or username, take a look at some tips for logging in.If you don’t want to disable your account but want to change who can see it, you can set your posts to private or block people.Note: Follow these instructions if you’d like to delete your Instagram account.

How to delete your Instagram account:

1. Go to the Instagram website and log into your account.Get the Perks and Rec newsletter in your inbox.

A roundup of the best deals on the best products so you don’t miss outDelivery: Sun-FriYour Email

2. Go to the account deletion page.

3. From the drop-down menu, choose the reason you are deleting your account.

4. Enter your password again. Then click or tap the delete button.

The fine print: Instagram says it will take 30 days for your account and data permanently erase your account. During that time, your account will not be accessible on Instagram. 

How to deactivate your Instagram account

1. Go to the Instagram website, and log into your account.

2. Go to your profile picture in the top right, click or tap your profile and then “Edit Profile.”

3. Scroll down, then click or tap “Temporarily disable my account” in the bottom right.

4. Choose the reason you are deactivating your account from the drop-down menu next to “Why are you disabling your account?” and enter your password again.

5. Click or tap “Temporarily disable account.”

The fine print: If you want to reactivate your account, log into the Instagram app.

How to download your Instagram data

From a computer:

1. Log into your account, and go to your profile picture then click Settings.

2. Click Privacy and Security.

3. Scroll to the Data Download section and click Request Download.

4. Enter your email address and click Next.

5. Enter your Instagram account password and click Request Download.

6. You will receive an email with a link to your Instagram data. Click Download Data and follow the instructions to finish downloading your information.

In the Instagram app:

1. Log into your account, and go to your profile.

2. Tap on the menu icon in the top right then tap Settings.

3. Tap on security, then tap “Download Data”

4. Enter your email address and tap “Request download”

5. Enter your Instagram account password, and tap Next, then tap Done.

6. You will receive an email with a link to your Instagram data. Click Download Data and follow the instructions to finish downloading your information.

From a mobile browser:

1. Log into your account, and go to your profile.

2. Tap Settings in top left then tap Privacy and Security.

3. Scroll down to Data Download and tap Request Download.

4. Enter your email address and tap Next.

5. Enter your Instagram account password and tap Request Download.

6. You will receive an email with a link to your Instagram data. Click Download Data and follow the instructions to finish downloading your information.