If you decide to delete your Instagram account, first decide which option is right for you. You can simply temporarily disable the profile - then it will disappear from the search and feed, but you can return at any time. Most often, the confusion begins because of the menu: on the phone, the application has some sections, in the mobile browser there are others, and on the computer, everything may look different. In this article, we will analyze everything step by step: what you should do before deletion, where to look for the necessary settings, how to understand that the account is really being deleted, and what to do if you need to delete your Instagram account, but you almost do not remember your password or email.

Basic concepts and features of Instagram

Deleting an Instagram account: what you need to know

There are three close but different activities on Instagram. Deactivation temporarily hides the profile: photos, comments, and likes become invisible, but the data remains, and you can return by simply logging into the account. A complete deletion is an irreversible scenario: after the timeout, the profile and content are deleted. The third important element is the Meta Account Center, which is where deletion/deactivation, personal data, and associated profiles are most often managed.

Before deleting it, it is useful to know about the data archive (downloading a copy of the information), about access to the mail/phone for confirmations, as well as about basic security: password change, device verification and two-factor protection. If you plan to delete your Instagram account, decide in advance whether you need to save photos and conversations, and check if you can go to the settings. This will save time if you further figure out how to delete an Instagram profile or how to delete an Instagram page without unnecessary mistakes.

Prepare to delete your account

How to completely delete an Instagram account - preparation

Before you start a full uninstall, make a short checklist.

1. Download the data archive. In the Instagram/Accounts Center settings, there is a function to upload information (photos, comments, profile details, and part of the activity). This is especially important if you are deleting a work profile or want to save the history of correspondence.
2. Check access to your email and phone number. Confirmations and links to restore usually come there. If the email is old or outdated, update it in advance.
3. Unlink services and inputs. If you've logged into third-party apps via Instagram/Meta or linked your profile to business tools, it's best to unlink before deleting it.
4. Strengthen security. Change your password and enable 2FA if there is a suspicion of hacking — this way you reduce the risk that someone will undo your actions or intercept your access.

After this preparation, it will be easier to delete the profile, and the chance of losing important data will be lower.

Ways to delete your account

How to delete an Instagram account permanently

The most reliable scenario is through a browser (on a computer or in a mobile browser), because it is easier to find the desired section there.

1. Log in to Instagram and open Settings.
2. Go to the Accounts Center.
3. Open Personal details.
4. Find Account ownership and control.
5. Select Deactivation or deletion.
6. Specify the desired profile and click Delete account.
7. Select a reason, confirm the password, and complete the request.

Important: Deletion is not always instantaneous. There is usually a waiting period during which you can cancel the decision by simply logging into your account.

Deleting an Instagram account forever is an alternative way

If you don't find the right path in the settings, use the official transition to deletion through the Meta/Instagram sections, which lead directly to the deletion form (usually the same Accounts Center, but with a "short login"). The logic is the same: log in → select an account → confirm with a password → start the process. The only difference is that you save time searching for the right menu.

Temporary deactivation of an Instagram account

Deactivation is suitable if you want to "disappear" but leave the option to return without losing the profile. It is done in the same Deactivation or deletion section, only select Deactivate account. To get your profile back, you just need to log in to your account again.

Delete via phone

How to delete an Instagram account from your phone

Go to your profile and open the menu (≡ icon). Next, go to Settings & Privacy and open the Accounts Center. Inside, select "Personal Data", then the "Account Ownership and Control" section and the "Deactivate or delete" item. After that, select the desired account and confirm the action. If you don't have one, refresh Instagram and try doing the same on a mobile browser — sometimes the settings you need are more visible there.

Delete Instagram account from phone - instructions

In short: open the Accounts Center, find "Ownership and Control", go to "Deactivate or delete" and click "Remove". If you just want to disappear temporarily, select "Deactivate".

How to delete an old Instagram account

If your profile is old and you don't remember your password or email, first regain access through "Forgot your password?". Confirm your login by phone or email and log in to your account. If there is a suspicion of hacking, first regain control (restore access, change password, turn on protection), and only then start uninstalling.

Checking and completing the deletion How to delete an Instagram account — what happens after deletion

Once the deletion is initiated, the profile is usually in the "pending deletion" status. This means that Instagram gives time before the final deletion - in case you change your mind or the account is deleted by attackers. During this period, you just need to log in to your profile to cancel the process (if you want to get everything back).

What will happen to the data: Posts, subscriptions, comments, and likes will no longer be available to other users, and then will be deleted completely after the process is complete. Some technical data may be retained for longer as part of Meta's policies (for example, for security and compliance), but your profile as a page will no longer be available.

How to check the status: Go to the Accounts Center and see the sections related to deactivation/deletion, or try to log in. If the system offers to cancel the deletion, then the process is not completed yet. If you can't sign in and the profile isn't found, the deletion may have already been completed.

Solving common problems

Deleting Instagram: Common Mistakes and Solutions

The most typical situations:

• There is no delete button. Most of the time, you're looking in the wrong place: the right path is hidden in the Accounts Center. Update the app and check the settings through your browser.
• No access to mail/phone. First, restore access (change of email/number after login or through restoration). Otherwise, you will not complete the process safely.
• The account has been hacked. Take control back immediately: change your password, log out of all devices, 2FA, check your email. Only after that, start the uninstall.
• Meta/app crashes. Try a different browser, clear your cache, log in from your computer.

If you google how to delete an Instagram account and the instructions "do not match", this is normal: the menu changes periodically. Focus on the Accounts Center and the "Ownership and Control" section.

FAQ

Is it possible to restore a profile after a complete deletion?

Usually, only while there is a waiting period. If the deletion is complete, you can't get your account back.

Can I delete an account without a password?

As a rule, no. First you need to restore access (via email/phone or hacking scripts), otherwise you won't be able to prove that you're the owner.

How do I delete my second account?

Log in to it or switch to the desired profile, then start the deletion through the Accounts Center.

Does deleting only from the phone work?

Yes, but sometimes it's easier through the browser: there are fewer hidden menu options. If you want to delete your Instagram account quickly, use a mobile browser and the path through the Accounts Center.

How do I delete an Instagram account if it's old and abandoned?

First restore access, then delete. If access is not returned, record the problem in the help and strengthen the security of your email/number so that the account is not used by fraudsters.

Conclusion

Deleting a profile is not a "delete application", but a separate procedure in the settings, most often through the Accounts Center. Before deleting an Instagram account, save the data archive, check access to your email and number, unlink services and be sure to close security issues (password, 2FA, devices). For a temporary solution, choose deactivation - this way you can return without losing your account.  Restore control first, and only then start the deletion.

If you decide to delete your Instagram account, first decide which option is right for you. You can simply temporarily disable the profile - then it will disappear from the search and feed, but you can return at any time. Most often, the confusion begins because of the menu: on the phone, the application has some sections, in the mobile browser there are others, and on the computer, everything may look different. In this article, we will analyze everything step by step: what you should do before deletion, where to look for the necessary settings, how to understand that the account is really being deleted, and what to do if you need to delete your Instagram account, but you almost do not remember your password or email.

Basic concepts and features of Instagram

Deleting an Instagram account: what you need to know

There are three close but different activities on Instagram. Deactivation temporarily hides the profile: photos, comments, and likes become invisible, but the data remains, and you can return by simply logging into the account. A complete deletion is an irreversible scenario: after the timeout, the profile and content are deleted. The third important element is the Meta Account Center, which is where deletion/deactivation, personal data, and associated profiles are most often managed.

Before deleting it, it is useful to know about the data archive (downloading a copy of the information), about access to the mail/phone for confirmations, as well as about basic security: password change, device verification and two-factor protection. If you plan to delete your Instagram account, decide in advance whether you need to save photos and conversations, and check if you can go to the settings. This will save time if you further figure out how to delete an Instagram profile or how to delete an Instagram page without unnecessary mistakes.

Prepare to delete your account

How to completely delete an Instagram account - preparation

Before you start a full uninstall, make a short checklist.

1. Download the data archive. In the Instagram/Accounts Center settings, there is a function to upload information (photos, comments, profile details, and part of the activity). This is especially important if you are deleting a work profile or want to save the history of correspondence.
2. Check access to your email and phone number. Confirmations and links to restore usually come there. If the email is old or outdated, update it in advance.
3. Unlink services and inputs. If you've logged into third-party apps via Instagram/Meta or linked your profile to business tools, it's best to unlink before deleting it.
4. Strengthen security. Change your password and enable 2FA if there is a suspicion of hacking — this way you reduce the risk that someone will undo your actions or intercept your access.

After this preparation, it will be easier to delete the profile, and the chance of losing important data will be lower.

Ways to delete your account

How to delete an Instagram account permanently

The most reliable scenario is through a browser (on a computer or in a mobile browser), because it is easier to find the desired section there.

1. Log in to Instagram and open Settings.
2. Go to the Accounts Center.
3. Open Personal details.
4. Find Account ownership and control.
5. Select Deactivation or deletion.
6. Specify the desired profile and click Delete account.
7. Select a reason, confirm the password, and complete the request.

Important: Deletion is not always instantaneous. There is usually a waiting period during which you can cancel the decision by simply logging into your account.

Deleting an Instagram account forever is an alternative way

If you don't find the right path in the settings, use the official transition to deletion through the Meta/Instagram sections, which lead directly to the deletion form (usually the same Accounts Center, but with a "short login"). The logic is the same: log in → select an account → confirm with a password → start the process. The only difference is that you save time searching for the right menu.

Temporary deactivation of an Instagram account

Deactivation is suitable if you want to "disappear" but leave the option to return without losing the profile. It is done in the same Deactivation or deletion section, only select Deactivate account. To get your profile back, you just need to log in to your account again.

Delete via phone

How to delete an Instagram account from your phone

Go to your profile and open the menu (≡ icon). Next, go to Settings & Privacy and open the Accounts Center. Inside, select "Personal Data", then the "Account Ownership and Control" section and the "Deactivate or delete" item. After that, select the desired account and confirm the action. If you don't have one, refresh Instagram and try doing the same on a mobile browser — sometimes the settings you need are more visible there.

Delete Instagram account from phone - instructions

In short: open the Accounts Center, find "Ownership and Control", go to "Deactivate or delete" and click "Remove". If you just want to disappear temporarily, select "Deactivate".

How to delete an old Instagram account

If your profile is old and you don't remember your password or email, first regain access through "Forgot your password?". Confirm your login by phone or email and log in to your account. If there is a suspicion of hacking, first regain control (restore access, change password, turn on protection), and only then start uninstalling.

Checking and completing the deletion How to delete an Instagram account — what happens after deletion

Once the deletion is initiated, the profile is usually in the "pending deletion" status. This means that Instagram gives time before the final deletion - in case you change your mind or the account is deleted by attackers. During this period, you just need to log in to your profile to cancel the process (if you want to get everything back).

What will happen to the data: Posts, subscriptions, comments, and likes will no longer be available to other users, and then will be deleted completely after the process is complete. Some technical data may be retained for longer as part of Meta's policies (for example, for security and compliance), but your profile as a page will no longer be available.

How to check the status: Go to the Accounts Center and see the sections related to deactivation/deletion, or try to log in. If the system offers to cancel the deletion, then the process is not completed yet. If you can't sign in and the profile isn't found, the deletion may have already been completed.

Solving common problems

Deleting Instagram: Common Mistakes and Solutions

The most typical situations:

• There is no delete button. Most of the time, you're looking in the wrong place: the right path is hidden in the Accounts Center. Update the app and check the settings through your browser.
• No access to mail/phone. First, restore access (change of email/number after login or through restoration). Otherwise, you will not complete the process safely.
• The account has been hacked. Take control back immediately: change your password, log out of all devices, 2FA, check your email. Only after that, start the uninstall.
• Meta/app crashes. Try a different browser, clear your cache, log in from your computer.

If you google how to delete an Instagram account and the instructions "do not match", this is normal: the menu changes periodically. Focus on the Accounts Center and the "Ownership and Control" section.

FAQ

Is it possible to restore a profile after a complete deletion?

Usually, only while there is a waiting period. If the deletion is complete, you can't get your account back.

Can I delete an account without a password?

As a rule, no. First you need to restore access (via email/phone or hacking scripts), otherwise you won't be able to prove that you're the owner.

How do I delete my second account?

Log in to it or switch to the desired profile, then start the deletion through the Accounts Center.

Does deleting only from the phone work?

Yes, but sometimes it's easier through the browser: there are fewer hidden menu options. If you want to delete your Instagram account quickly, use a mobile browser and the path through the Accounts Center.

How do I delete an Instagram account if it's old and abandoned?

First restore access, then delete. If access is not returned, record the problem in the help and strengthen the security of your email/number so that the account is not used by fraudsters.

Conclusion

Deleting a profile is not a "delete application", but a separate procedure in the settings, most often through the Accounts Center. Before deleting an Instagram account, save the data archive, check access to your email and number, unlink services and be sure to close security issues (password, 2FA, devices). For a temporary solution, choose deactivation - this way you can return without losing your account.  Restore control first, and only then start the deletion.

If you decide to delete your Instagram account, first decide which option is right for you. You can simply temporarily disable the profile - then it will disappear from the search and feed, but you can return at any time. Most often, the confusion begins because of the menu: on the phone, the application has some sections, in the mobile browser there are others, and on the computer, everything may look different. In this article, we will analyze everything step by step: what you should do before deletion, where to look for the necessary settings, how to understand that the account is really being deleted, and what to do if you need to delete your Instagram account, but you almost do not remember your password or email.

Basic concepts and features of Instagram

Deleting an Instagram account: what you need to know

There are three close but different activities on Instagram. Deactivation temporarily hides the profile: photos, comments, and likes become invisible, but the data remains, and you can return by simply logging into the account. A complete deletion is an irreversible scenario: after the timeout, the profile and content are deleted. The third important element is the Meta Account Center, which is where deletion/deactivation, personal data, and associated profiles are most often managed.

Before deleting it, it is useful to know about the data archive (downloading a copy of the information), about access to the mail/phone for confirmations, as well as about basic security: password change, device verification and two-factor protection. If you plan to delete your Instagram account, decide in advance whether you need to save photos and conversations, and check if you can go to the settings. This will save time if you further figure out how to delete an Instagram profile or how to delete an Instagram page without unnecessary mistakes.

Prepare to delete your account

How to completely delete an Instagram account - preparation

Before you start a full uninstall, make a short checklist.

1. Download the data archive. In the Instagram/Accounts Center settings, there is a function to upload information (photos, comments, profile details, and part of the activity). This is especially important if you are deleting a work profile or want to save the history of correspondence.
2. Check access to your email and phone number. Confirmations and links to restore usually come there. If the email is old or outdated, update it in advance.
3. Unlink services and inputs. If you've logged into third-party apps via Instagram/Meta or linked your profile to business tools, it's best to unlink before deleting it.
4. Strengthen security. Change your password and enable 2FA if there is a suspicion of hacking — this way you reduce the risk that someone will undo your actions or intercept your access.

After this preparation, it will be easier to delete the profile, and the chance of losing important data will be lower.

Ways to delete your account

How to delete an Instagram account permanently

The most reliable scenario is through a browser (on a computer or in a mobile browser), because it is easier to find the desired section there.

1. Log in to Instagram and open Settings.
2. Go to the Accounts Center.
3. Open Personal details.
4. Find Account ownership and control.
5. Select Deactivation or deletion.
6. Specify the desired profile and click Delete account.
7. Select a reason, confirm the password, and complete the request.

Important: Deletion is not always instantaneous. There is usually a waiting period during which you can cancel the decision by simply logging into your account.

Deleting an Instagram account forever is an alternative way

If you don't find the right path in the settings, use the official transition to deletion through the Meta/Instagram sections, which lead directly to the deletion form (usually the same Accounts Center, but with a "short login"). The logic is the same: log in → select an account → confirm with a password → start the process. The only difference is that you save time searching for the right menu.

Temporary deactivation of an Instagram account

Deactivation is suitable if you want to "disappear" but leave the option to return without losing the profile. It is done in the same Deactivation or deletion section, only select Deactivate account. To get your profile back, you just need to log in to your account again.

Delete via phone

How to delete an Instagram account from your phone

Go to your profile and open the menu (≡ icon). Next, go to Settings & Privacy and open the Accounts Center. Inside, select "Personal Data", then the "Account Ownership and Control" section and the "Deactivate or delete" item. After that, select the desired account and confirm the action. If you don't have one, refresh Instagram and try doing the same on a mobile browser — sometimes the settings you need are more visible there.

Delete Instagram account from phone - instructions

In short: open the Accounts Center, find "Ownership and Control", go to "Deactivate or delete" and click "Remove". If you just want to disappear temporarily, select "Deactivate".

How to delete an old Instagram account

If your profile is old and you don't remember your password or email, first regain access through "Forgot your password?". Confirm your login by phone or email and log in to your account. If there is a suspicion of hacking, first regain control (restore access, change password, turn on protection), and only then start uninstalling.

Checking and completing the deletion How to delete an Instagram account — what happens after deletion

Once the deletion is initiated, the profile is usually in the "pending deletion" status. This means that Instagram gives time before the final deletion - in case you change your mind or the account is deleted by attackers. During this period, you just need to log in to your profile to cancel the process (if you want to get everything back).

What will happen to the data: Posts, subscriptions, comments, and likes will no longer be available to other users, and then will be deleted completely after the process is complete. Some technical data may be retained for longer as part of Meta's policies (for example, for security and compliance), but your profile as a page will no longer be available.

How to check the status: Go to the Accounts Center and see the sections related to deactivation/deletion, or try to log in. If the system offers to cancel the deletion, then the process is not completed yet. If you can't sign in and the profile isn't found, the deletion may have already been completed.

Solving common problems

Deleting Instagram: Common Mistakes and Solutions

The most typical situations:

• There is no delete button. Most of the time, you're looking in the wrong place: the right path is hidden in the Accounts Center. Update the app and check the settings through your browser.
• No access to mail/phone. First, restore access (change of email/number after login or through restoration). Otherwise, you will not complete the process safely.
• The account has been hacked. Take control back immediately: change your password, log out of all devices, 2FA, check your email. Only after that, start the uninstall.
• Meta/app crashes. Try a different browser, clear your cache, log in from your computer.

If you google how to delete an Instagram account and the instructions "do not match", this is normal: the menu changes periodically. Focus on the Accounts Center and the "Ownership and Control" section.

FAQ

Is it possible to restore a profile after a complete deletion?

Usually, only while there is a waiting period. If the deletion is complete, you can't get your account back.

Can I delete an account without a password?

As a rule, no. First you need to restore access (via email/phone or hacking scripts), otherwise you won't be able to prove that you're the owner.

How do I delete my second account?

Log in to it or switch to the desired profile, then start the deletion through the Accounts Center.

Does deleting only from the phone work?

Yes, but sometimes it's easier through the browser: there are fewer hidden menu options. If you want to delete your Instagram account quickly, use a mobile browser and the path through the Accounts Center.

How do I delete an Instagram account if it's old and abandoned?

First restore access, then delete. If access is not returned, record the problem in the help and strengthen the security of your email/number so that the account is not used by fraudsters.

Conclusion

Deleting a profile is not a "delete application", but a separate procedure in the settings, most often through the Accounts Center. Before deleting an Instagram account, save the data archive, check access to your email and number, unlink services and be sure to close security issues (password, 2FA, devices). For a temporary solution, choose deactivation - this way you can return without losing your account.  Restore control first, and only then start the deletion.

If you decide to delete your Instagram account, first decide which option is right for you. You can simply temporarily disable the profile - then it will disappear from the search and feed, but you can return at any time. Most often, the confusion begins because of the menu: on the phone, the application has some sections, in the mobile browser there are others, and on the computer, everything may look different. In this article, we will analyze everything step by step: what you should do before deletion, where to look for the necessary settings, how to understand that the account is really being deleted, and what to do if you need to delete your Instagram account, but you almost do not remember your password or email.

Basic concepts and features of Instagram

Deleting an Instagram account: what you need to know

There are three close but different activities on Instagram. Deactivation temporarily hides the profile: photos, comments, and likes become invisible, but the data remains, and you can return by simply logging into the account. A complete deletion is an irreversible scenario: after the timeout, the profile and content are deleted. The third important element is the Meta Account Center, which is where deletion/deactivation, personal data, and associated profiles are most often managed.

Before deleting it, it is useful to know about the data archive (downloading a copy of the information), about access to the mail/phone for confirmations, as well as about basic security: password change, device verification and two-factor protection. If you plan to delete your Instagram account, decide in advance whether you need to save photos and conversations, and check if you can go to the settings. This will save time if you further figure out how to delete an Instagram profile or how to delete an Instagram page without unnecessary mistakes.

Prepare to delete your account

How to completely delete an Instagram account - preparation

Before you start a full uninstall, make a short checklist.

1. Download the data archive. In the Instagram/Accounts Center settings, there is a function to upload information (photos, comments, profile details, and part of the activity). This is especially important if you are deleting a work profile or want to save the history of correspondence.
2. Check access to your email and phone number. Confirmations and links to restore usually come there. If the email is old or outdated, update it in advance.
3. Unlink services and inputs. If you've logged into third-party apps via Instagram/Meta or linked your profile to business tools, it's best to unlink before deleting it.
4. Strengthen security. Change your password and enable 2FA if there is a suspicion of hacking — this way you reduce the risk that someone will undo your actions or intercept your access.

After this preparation, it will be easier to delete the profile, and the chance of losing important data will be lower.

Ways to delete your account

How to delete an Instagram account permanently

The most reliable scenario is through a browser (on a computer or in a mobile browser), because it is easier to find the desired section there.

1. Log in to Instagram and open Settings.
2. Go to the Accounts Center.
3. Open Personal details.
4. Find Account ownership and control.
5. Select Deactivation or deletion.
6. Specify the desired profile and click Delete account.
7. Select a reason, confirm the password, and complete the request.

Important: Deletion is not always instantaneous. There is usually a waiting period during which you can cancel the decision by simply logging into your account.

Deleting an Instagram account forever is an alternative way

If you don't find the right path in the settings, use the official transition to deletion through the Meta/Instagram sections, which lead directly to the deletion form (usually the same Accounts Center, but with a "short login"). The logic is the same: log in → select an account → confirm with a password → start the process. The only difference is that you save time searching for the right menu.

Temporary deactivation of an Instagram account

Deactivation is suitable if you want to "disappear" but leave the option to return without losing the profile. It is done in the same Deactivation or deletion section, only select Deactivate account. To get your profile back, you just need to log in to your account again.

Delete via phone

How to delete an Instagram account from your phone

Go to your profile and open the menu (≡ icon). Next, go to Settings & Privacy and open the Accounts Center. Inside, select "Personal Data", then the "Account Ownership and Control" section and the "Deactivate or delete" item. After that, select the desired account and confirm the action. If you don't have one, refresh Instagram and try doing the same on a mobile browser — sometimes the settings you need are more visible there.

Delete Instagram account from phone - instructions

In short: open the Accounts Center, find "Ownership and Control", go to "Deactivate or delete" and click "Remove". If you just want to disappear temporarily, select "Deactivate".

How to delete an old Instagram account

If your profile is old and you don't remember your password or email, first regain access through "Forgot your password?". Confirm your login by phone or email and log in to your account. If there is a suspicion of hacking, first regain control (restore access, change password, turn on protection), and only then start uninstalling.

Checking and completing the deletion How to delete an Instagram account — what happens after deletion

Once the deletion is initiated, the profile is usually in the "pending deletion" status. This means that Instagram gives time before the final deletion - in case you change your mind or the account is deleted by attackers. During this period, you just need to log in to your profile to cancel the process (if you want to get everything back).

What will happen to the data: Posts, subscriptions, comments, and likes will no longer be available to other users, and then will be deleted completely after the process is complete. Some technical data may be retained for longer as part of Meta's policies (for example, for security and compliance), but your profile as a page will no longer be available.

How to check the status: Go to the Accounts Center and see the sections related to deactivation/deletion, or try to log in. If the system offers to cancel the deletion, then the process is not completed yet. If you can't sign in and the profile isn't found, the deletion may have already been completed.

Solving common problems

Deleting Instagram: Common Mistakes and Solutions

The most typical situations:

• There is no delete button. Most of the time, you're looking in the wrong place: the right path is hidden in the Accounts Center. Update the app and check the settings through your browser.
• No access to mail/phone. First, restore access (change of email/number after login or through restoration). Otherwise, you will not complete the process safely.
• The account has been hacked. Take control back immediately: change your password, log out of all devices, 2FA, check your email. Only after that, start the uninstall.
• Meta/app crashes. Try a different browser, clear your cache, log in from your computer.

If you google how to delete an Instagram account and the instructions "do not match", this is normal: the menu changes periodically. Focus on the Accounts Center and the "Ownership and Control" section.

FAQ

Is it possible to restore a profile after a complete deletion?

Usually, only while there is a waiting period. If the deletion is complete, you can't get your account back.

Can I delete an account without a password?

As a rule, no. First you need to restore access (via email/phone or hacking scripts), otherwise you won't be able to prove that you're the owner.

How do I delete my second account?

Log in to it or switch to the desired profile, then start the deletion through the Accounts Center.

Does deleting only from the phone work?

Yes, but sometimes it's easier through the browser: there are fewer hidden menu options. If you want to delete your Instagram account quickly, use a mobile browser and the path through the Accounts Center.

How do I delete an Instagram account if it's old and abandoned?

First restore access, then delete. If access is not returned, record the problem in the help and strengthen the security of your email/number so that the account is not used by fraudsters.

Conclusion

Deleting a profile is not a "delete application", but a separate procedure in the settings, most often through the Accounts Center. Before deleting an Instagram account, save the data archive, check access to your email and number, unlink services and be sure to close security issues (password, 2FA, devices). For a temporary solution, choose deactivation - this way you can return without losing your account.  Restore control first, and only then start the deletion.