Instagram has become an integral part of our daily lives, connecting us with friends, family, and communities. However, there might come a time when you need a break, want to delete your presence entirely, or simply need to understand specific features. This guide covers various aspects of managing your Instagram experience.
How to Delete Instagram Account (Permanently)
If you’re ready to say goodbye to Instagram for good, permanently deleting your account is the way to go. This action is irreversible after a grace period.
- Log in: Access your Instagram account from a mobile browser or computer. You cannot permanently delete from the app directly.
- Go to the Deletion Request Page: You can often find a direct link by searching “delete Instagram account” in your browser. Alternatively, navigate through the app/web:
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the “Menu” icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right.
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Go to “Accounts Center” (usually at the top).
- Under “Account settings,” tap “Personal details.”
- Select “Account ownership and control.”
- Tap “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Choose the account you want to delete.
- Select “Delete account” and then “Continue.”
- Provide a Reason: Instagram will ask you why you’re deleting. Select a reason from the dropdown menu and click “Continue.”
- Enter Password: Re-enter your password to confirm your identity.
- Confirm Deletion: Click “Delete account.”
Important Note: Your account will be deactivated for 30 days after your request. During this period, your profile and all your content will be hidden. If you log back in within these 30 days, your deletion request will be canceled, and your account will be restored. After 30 days, your account and all its data (photos, videos, followers, likes, comments) will be permanently erased.
How to Disable Instagram (Temporarily)
If you just need a break but aren’t ready to commit to permanent deletion, deactivating (disabling) your account is the perfect solution. Your profile, photos, comments, and likes will be hidden until you reactivate it.
- Log in: Access your Instagram account from a mobile browser or computer.
- Navigate to Deactivation:
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the “Menu” icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right.
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Go to “Accounts Center.”
- Under “Account settings,” tap “Personal details.”
- Select “Account ownership and control.”
- Tap “Deactivation or deletion.”
- Choose the account you want to deactivate.
- Select “Deactivate account” and then “Continue.”
- Enter Password: Re-enter your password to confirm.
- Provide a Reason: Choose a reason for deactivating and click “Continue.”
- Confirm Deactivation: Click “Deactivate account.”
To reactivate your account, simply log back in on the Instagram app or website at any time.
How to Know if Someone Blocked You on Instagram
Instagram doesn’t send notifications when someone blocks you, but there are several clues:
- Search for their profile: If you can’t find their exact username in the search results, they might have blocked you or deleted their account.
- View their profile directly (if you have the link/URL): If you can go to their profile page but see “No Posts Yet” where their posts should be, and the follower/following count is blank, it’s a strong indication you’ve been blocked.
- Check past interactions: If you previously commented on their posts or sent them DMs, those might disappear, or you might find their username clickable but leading to a blank profile.
- Try from another account: The most definitive way is to ask a friend to search for their profile. If your friend can see it but you can’t, you’ve been blocked.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot?
This is a common question! As of July 2025:
- Instagram does NOT notify users when you screenshot their regular posts (photos or videos) in their feed.
- Instagram does NOT notify users when you screenshot their Stories.
- Instagram DOES notify users if you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent in Direct Messages (DMs).
- Instagram DOES notify users if you screenshot messages while in Vanish Mode in DMs.
How to Repost a Story on Instagram
You can repost a story if you’ve been tagged in it, or by using a workaround if you haven’t.
- If you’re tagged: You’ll receive a DM with the story. Tap “Add to Story” within that DM, customize it, and share it to your own story.
- If you’re NOT tagged:
- Screenshot/Screen Record: Take a screenshot (for photos) or screen record (for videos) of the story.
- Crop & Edit: Go to your phone’s gallery, crop out any unwanted parts.
- Upload to Your Story: Open Instagram, swipe right to create a new story, select the screenshot/recording from your gallery, add text, stickers, or GIFs, and remember to tag the original creator for credit!
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram
To hide when you were last active or if you’re currently online:
- Go to your Profile.
- Tap the “Menu” icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right.
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Scroll down to “Messages and story replies.”
- Tap “Show activity status.”
- Toggle off “Show activity status.”
How to Turn Off Vanish Mode on Instagram
Vanish Mode allows messages to disappear after they’ve been seen. To turn it off:
- Open the chat in which Vanish Mode is active (the chat background will be black/dark).
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and release. You’ll see a message confirming Vanish Mode is off.
How to See Who Unfollowed You on Instagram
Instagram does not have a built-in feature to directly show you who unfollowed you. To find out, you typically need to:
- Manually check: Go to the “Following” list of the person you suspect unfollowed you and see if your profile appears there.
- Use a third-party app: There are numerous third-party apps available (e.g., “Followers & Unfollowers” apps) that can track unfollows. Be cautious, as these apps require access to your Instagram account and can sometimes be unreliable or have privacy concerns.
Is Instagram Down Right Now?
If you’re experiencing issues with Instagram, you can check its status by:
- Checking Downdetector: This website collects real-time reports of outages for various services, including Instagram.
- Checking Instagram’s official X (formerly Twitter) account: Major outages are often announced there.
- Asking friends: See if others in your network are experiencing similar problems.
Does Instagram Show Screenshots? & Can People See if You Screenshot Their Instagram Story?
These questions are covered under “Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot?” The general rule is no, except for disappearing photos/videos in DMs and content in Vanish Mode.
How to Clear Instagram Cache
Clearing your Instagram cache can help resolve performance issues or free up space.
- On Android:
- Go to your phone’s “Settings.”
- Tap “Apps” or “Apps & notifications.”
- Find and tap “Instagram.”
- Tap “Storage & cache.”
- Tap “Clear cache.”
- On iOS (iPhone/iPad): There’s no direct “clear cache” button for individual apps. To clear Instagram’s cache, you usually need to:
- Offload App: Go to “Settings” > “General” > “iPhone Storage” > find “Instagram” > “Offload App.” This clears the cache but keeps your documents and data.
- Delete and Reinstall: The most effective way is to simply delete the Instagram app from your device and then reinstall it from the App Store. This will clear all cached data.
How to Change Background Color on Instagram Story
When creating a story with just text or a photo that doesn’t fill the screen:
- Take a photo or select one from your gallery to start your story.
- Use the Drawing Tool: Tap the “drawing” icon (a squiggly line or marker) at the top.
- Select a Color: Choose a color from the palette at the bottom.
- Tap and Hold: Tap and hold anywhere on the screen for a few seconds. The background will fill with the selected color.
- Add your content: Now you can add text, stickers, GIFs, or photos on top of this solid background.
How to Add Music to Instagram Post
You can add music to a video post or to an Instagram Reel (which also appears in your main feed). For static photo posts, music is generally associated with the “Reels” format, where you can make a single photo into a short video.
For Reels/Video Posts:
- Create a new Reel or video post.
- After recording/selecting your video, tap the “Music” icon (a musical note) usually at the top or on the side.
- Browse or search for a song.
- Select the portion of the song you want to use.
- Adjust the volume and tap “Done.”
How to See Who Shared Your Instagram Post & Can You See Who Shared Your Instagram Post?
Instagram does not directly show you a list of specific individuals who have shared your post to their stories or DMs.
- For Shares to Stories: You will receive a notification in your activity feed when someone shares your public feed post to their story. You’ll see “[Username] mentioned you in their story” or “[Username] shared your post to their story.” However, you won’t see a running list of all shares.
- For Shares via Direct Message (DM): There is no notification when someone shares your post with another user via DM.
Can You See Who Views Your Profile on Instagram?
No, Instagram does not have a feature that allows you to see who views your profile. Any third-party app claiming to offer this functionality is often unreliable, might compromise your account security, or could be a scam. Instagram prioritizes user privacy in this regard.
How to Post More Than 10 Photos on Instagram
Currently, Instagram’s carousel post limit is 10 photos or videos. There is no direct built-in feature to post more than 10 items in a single carousel post.
If you have more than 10 photos/videos you want to share from a single event or theme, your options are:
- Multiple Carousel Posts: Create several carousel posts, each containing up to 10 items.
- Create a Reel: Compile all your photos/videos into a single video montage and upload it as a Reel. Reels have longer time limits and can incorporate many visual elements.
- Collage Apps: Use a photo collage app to combine multiple photos into a single image, effectively allowing more visual information per slide, though still within the 10-slide limit.
Managing your Instagram account effectively means understanding its nuances, from privacy settings to content creation. I hope this comprehensive guide helps you navigate the platform with confidence!
