Removing an Instagram account from your phone effectively logs you out and stops it from appearing in your app's account switcher or login screen, without deleting the account permanently. This is useful for privacy, device sharing, or simply decluttering your app.
Step-by-Step Guide to Remove an Instagram Account from Your Device
To remove an Instagram account from your phone, making it no longer accessible through your device's app without re-entering credentials, follow these instructions:
- Open the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Navigate to the login screen. If you are currently logged into an account, you will need to log out first to reach this screen. To log out, tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner, then tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right. Select Settings and privacy, scroll down to the very bottom, and tap Log out for the current account. This action will take you to the main login screen where any saved profiles are displayed.
- Once you are on the login screen, where a list of accounts saved to your device is presented, tap on the top right of the screen. This area usually contains options for managing the saved profiles.
- From the menu that appears, tap "Remove profiles from this device." The exact wording might vary slightly depending on your Instagram app version.
- You will then see a clear list of all the Instagram accounts currently saved on your phone. Tap "Remove" next to the specific account you wish to disconnect from your device.
- Confirm your decision if prompted. The selected account will no longer be visible on your phone's Instagram login screen or as an option within the app's account switcher.
Understanding the Difference: Removing from Phone vs. Deleting Account
It's crucial to distinguish between removing an account from your phone and deleting your Instagram account entirely. These are two very different actions with distinct consequences.
| Feature | Removing Account from Phone | Deleting Account Permanently |
|---|---|---|
| Account Status | Account remains active and accessible online | Account is permanently removed from Instagram |
| Content | All your posts, photos, videos, and messages remain on Instagram's servers | All your content is deleted and unrecoverable |
| Reactivation | You can log back in anytime with your username and password | Cannot be recovered after a grace period (usually 30 days) |
| Purpose | Privacy on a shared device, decluttering saved logins, temporary logout | To permanently leave Instagram and erase your online presence |
For more details on permanently deleting an account, refer to the official Instagram Help Center on deleting your account.
Why Remove an Account from Your Phone?
There are several practical reasons why you might choose to remove an Instagram account from your device:
- Enhanced Privacy: If you share your phone with others or prefer to keep your social media activity private, removing accounts ensures they're not easily accessible.
- Device Sharing: When using a friend's phone, a family device, or a public computer, removing your account protects your login information.
- Decluttering: Over time, you might have old or unused accounts saved. Removing them streamlines your login screen and reduces clutter.
- Security: Limiting the number of accounts saved on a device can be a minor security measure, especially if the device is not password-protected.
Re-adding an Instagram Account
If you remove an account from your phone, you can always log back in at any time using your username and password. The process is simple:
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap "Log In" at the bottom of the screen.
- Enter your username (or email/phone number) and password.
- Tap "Log In."
Related Option: Logging Out of an Account
If you are currently logged into the specific Instagram account you want to disconnect from your device, a simpler method to achieve a similar result for that single account is to simply log out. While this doesn't use the "Remove profiles from this device" option on the login screen, it achieves the goal of removing that account's active session from your phone.
To log out:
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the Instagram app.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top right.
- Select Settings and privacy.
- Scroll down to the bottom and tap Log out [Your Username].
- Confirm your choice when prompted.
For additional guidance on managing your Instagram login sessions, visit the official Instagram Help Center on logging in and out.
