Have you ever hit “Delete” in a moment of frustration, only to regret it the very next day? Or maybe you woke up to find your Instagram account mysteriously removed, wondering what on earth you did wrong. That sinking feeling—the mix of panic and regret—makes you wish there were a digital “undo” button. While there’s no magic time machine for Instagram, there are some practical ways to bring your account back.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain what account deletion means, how to recover an account within 30 days, what happens after the 30-day window, and what alternatives you still have. We’ll also cover FAQs about deactivation, login issues, and hacked accounts so you understand every possible recovery scenario.
What Does “Deleting an Instagram Account” Really Mean?
Before trying to recover, it’s important to know the difference between deactivation and deletion, as many users confuse the two:
Deactivation (Temporary Disable)
Deactivating your account is temporary. It hides your profile, photos, comments, and likes from other users, but nothing is erased. You can reactivate your account at any time simply by logging back in with your credentials, and all your content will reappear.
Deletion (Permanent Removal)
Deleting your account is intended to be permanent. Your profile, photos, comments, likes, followers, and even your associated Threads profile are scheduled for removal. However, Instagram provides a 30-day grace period: during this time, you can still restore your account by logging back in.
Once 30 days have passed, Instagram permanently deletes all associated data. According to Instagram’s policy, the account cannot be fully restored after this point.
How to Recover Instagram Accounts Deleted Within 30 Days
If you deleted your Instagram account less than 30 days ago, recovery is usually straightforward:
Step 1. Open the Instagram mobile app or visit the official website.
Step 2. Enter your username, email, or phone number along with your password.
Step 3. If your account is still within the 30-day grace period, Instagram will log you back in, and your profile will look exactly as it did the last time you used it.
In some cases, Instagram’s automated system may ask you to confirm your identity with a verification code sent to your registered email or phone number. This process is simple and ensures the account truly belongs to you.
Common Issues If Login Doesn’t Work
Even within the 30-day recovery window, some users may face problems logging back in. Here are the most common issues and solutions:
1. Forgot Password
Tap “Forgot password?” on the login page.
Change your password on Instagram using your registered email address or phone number.
2. Lost Access to Registered Email
Check if you’re still logged in on another device (such as your phone or tablet) and update your email from there.
If you can’t access the email at all, try recovering it directly through your email provider’s support.
How to Recover Instagram Accounts Deleted Over 30 Days
Unfortunately, if more than 30 days have passed since deletion, Instagram’s policy is clear: the account and its data are permanently erased.
But does that mean all hope is lost? Let’s break it down.
Recover Your Entire Instagram Account
Method 1: Try Logging in
Once you’ve passed the 30-day grace period, Instagram usually considers the account permanently deleted. That said, according to Instagram's official documentation, the deletion process may take up to 90 days to complete fully, as data might still reside in their backup systems during that time.
You can still try logging in and see if the account remains accessible. It’s not guaranteed, but sometimes luck aligns during those internal processing days.
Method 2: Meta Verified
Meta Verified is a paid subscription service offered by Instagram and Facebook. It provides benefits such as account verification with a blue check, proactive protection against impersonation, and—most importantly—direct customer support.
If you were subscribed before deleting your account, Meta Verified may give you faster assistance with account-related issues.
If you haven’t purchased Meta Verified before, you can still try reaching out to Instagram’s support team through a linked Facebook account.
Beware of scams
There are many fraudulent offers claiming someone “inside Meta” can restore your deleted account often for a fee. Officially, Instagram employees are not allowed to restore deleted accounts. Always avoid paying for or trusting any such services.
Recover Photos and Messages from the Deleted Account
While recovering an entire deleted Instagram account is nearly impossible, you may still be able to retrieve some of the valuable content—such as photos, messages, and even old contacts. This is where Gbyte Recovery can help.
Gbyte Recovery is a social app recovery tool designed to work with platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. Unlike basic recovery methods that only pull simple data (like notes or reminders) from iCloud, Gbyte scans much deeper into your iCloud backups to locate hidden social app data. That means your cherished Instagram photos, chats, and contacts might still be recoverable.
The best part? The initial scan is completely free. You can preview your recoverable data first, and only decide to pay if you see the content you want restored.
How to Use Gbyte Recovery:
Step 1. Start a Scan – Download the PC version or initiate a quick scan via your phone browser.
Step 2. Select Data – Choose the type of data you want to recover (photos, messages, contacts).
Step 3. Wait for the Scan – Allow the software to search through your iCloud backups.
Step 4. Preview & Restore – Once the scan is complete, preview your data. Phone users will get a completion email; PC users will see an on-screen prompt. Then choose exactly what you want to restore.
Recover Your Old Instagram Username
After deleting your Instagram account, it may be possible to reclaim your old username by signing up again with the same handle. You can also register with the same email address and phone number.
However, this only works if no one else has taken that username during the time your account was deleted. Additionally, if your account was removed by Instagram for violating community guidelines, you may not be allowed to use that username again.
Still, it’s worth trying, especially if your old username is widely recognized or carries business value. While your original content won’t return, using the same username makes it easier for people to find and recognize you again.
FAQs
Q1. How to Recover a Deactivated Account on Instagram?
If you only temporarily deactivated your Instagram, recovery is simple:
Step 1. Log in with your username and password.
Step 2. Instagram will automatically reactivate the account.
You can also choose when to automatically reactivate it. Instagram may allow you to set a reactivation date, after which your profile will be visible again without any extra steps.
Q2. How to Recover an Account You Can’t Log Into?
If you can’t log in (forgot password, lost access to email, etc.):
Step 1. Open the Instagram login page.
Step 2. Tap “Forgot Password?”
Step 3. Choose recovery by email, phone, or username login.
Step 4. Reset your password and log back in.
If you no longer have access to your email or phone, try to recover the email itself by submitting a “forgot password” request to your email provider first.
Q3. How to Recover a Hacked Instagram Account?
If your Instagram account has been hacked and you can’t log in, here are the steps you can take to recover it:
Method 1. Check your email for security messages
When your email address is changed, Instagram will send a message to your original email from [email protected].
If you received this email, you can use the link inside to reverse the change and secure your account. And this link is typically valid for 72 hours.
Method 2. Meta Verified
In many hacked cases, attackers don’t just change your password—they may also replace your email, phone number, and even username, making it nearly impossible to recover the account through normal login or reset options.
You can request Meta Verified through the Facebook account linked to your Instagram profile, which may improve your chances of regaining access in these severe scenarios.
Final Tips & Best Practices
Act fast: If your account was deleted less than 30 days ago, log in immediately to restore it.
Backup data regularly: Save your photos and videos to cloud storage.
Beware of scams: Never trust people claiming they can “recover” deleted accounts after 30 days.
Secure your account: Enable two-factor authentication and keep your email/phone number updated.
Consider Meta Verified: Subscribing provides stronger account protection and faster customer support, which helps in cases of hacking or login issues.
By doing these, you’ll have the best chance of keeping your Instagram presence safe.
