Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have become a big part of our lives. They help us stay connected with friends and family. But sometimes you may feel like you need a break from social media, or want to permanently delete an account.
Deleting a social media account is not as straightforward as it seems. Each platform has a different process you need to follow. And they don’t make it very easy!
This guide will walk you through how to permanently delete accounts from the most popular social apps. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions for deleting accounts on:
- Snapchat
- TikTok
Let’s get started!
Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Accounts
Here is a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough for permanently deleting accounts on each platform.
Deleting a Facebook Account
Facebook has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. It’s one of the most popular social networks. But constant notifications and too much time scrolling can make you want to say goodbye to Facebook.
If you want to delete your Facebook account, here is how to do it:
Step 1: Backup Your Data
Before deleting your account, it’s important to save all of your data like photos, posts, and videos. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Click on Your Facebook Information in the left sidebar
- Select “Download Your Information”
- Choose JSON as the format and Medium or High media quality
- Click on the blue “Create File” button
- You’ll get a notification when the download is ready
This saves a copy of your info that you can access even after deleting your account.
Step 2: Delete Posts
To help protect your privacy after leaving Facebook, you should also delete old posts. Here’s how:
- Go to your profile and click on Posts
- For each post you want to remove, click on the three dots in the top right corner
- Select “Turn off” or “Delete post”
- Confirm that you want to delete the post
Repeat this for all posts you want removed. You can also unlike pages and leave Facebook groups.
Step 3: Submit Account Deletion Request
Now you’re ready to delete your account. Here are the steps:
- Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings
- Click on Your Facebook Information in the left sidebar
- Select “Delete Your Account and Information”
- Choose “Delete Account”
- Enter your password to confirm your identity
- Click on the blue “Continue to Account Deletion” button
- Select a reason for leaving Facebook from the dropdown menu
- Click “Delete Account”
Your account will be deactivated for 30 days before being permanently deleted. If you change your mind, you can cancel the deletion during this time period by logging back in.
Deleting an Instagram Account
Instagram is used by over 1 billion people every month for sharing photos and videos. If your feed is getting too cluttered or Instagram is distracting you, here is how to delete your account:
Step 1: Download Your Data
Start by downloading a copy of your photos, videos, messages, and other data:
- Go to your profile and open the menu in the upper right corner
- Select Settings > Security > Download Data
- Enter your email and click Next
- Choose JSON as the file format
- Select data types to download like Posts, Messages, etc.
- Click Request Download
Instagram will email you a link to download your data archive once it’s ready. This lets you look back on your photos and videos after deleting your account.
Step 2: Permanently Delete Photos and Videos
Unlike Facebook, deleting your Instagram account does not remove your posts and info. To completely wipe your presence from Instagram, you’ll need to manually delete photos and videos first.
To permanently delete all your IG content:
- Go to your profile and tap the three line menu icon
- Select Settings > Security > Permanently delete my account
- This brings up your media grid – tap each post and select Delete
- Confirm that you want to permanently delete the photo or video
Repeat this process until all your posts are gone. Unfollowing accounts also helps remove your presence.
Step 3: Submit Account Deletion Request
After removing your info, submit a deletion request:
- Go to your profile and open the menu
- Select Settings > Security > Permanently delete my account
- Select Why are you deleting your account? and tap Next
- Enter your password and tap Permanently Delete [Your Username]
It can take up to 90 days for Instagram to fully delete your account and data. Avoid logging back in during this time as it can cancel your request.
Deleting a Snapchat Account
Snapchat pioneered ephemeral messaging and photo sharing. But keeping your Snap streaks going or maintaining constant Snapchat communication can get exhausting. Here is how to delete your Snapchat account:
Step 1: Save Memories and Media
Before erasing your presence, be sure to save your Snapchat memories which include stories, photos, and videos:
- Open your profile and tap the settings cog icon
- Select My Data > Download My Data
- Select what data you want to save like Snaps, Stories, etc.
- Enter your email and tap Submit Request
Snapchat will email a download link when your data is ready to save. Backing up memories lets you look back after deleting your account.
Step 2: Delete Friends
Removing connections helps eliminate your Snapchat presence. To delete friends:
- Tap the Friends icon on the left to see your friends list
- Tap each friend you want to remove and select Delete Friend
- Confirm that you want to remove the friend
Unsending chats and clearing conversations also helps remove traces of your account.
Step 3: Submit Account Deletion Request
Ready to delete your account? Here’s how:
- Open your profile and tap the settings cog icon
- Scroll down and select Delete Account
- Tap Continue to Account Deletion
- Select why you’re deleting your account
- Enter your username and password to verify your identity
- Tap Permanently Delete Account
Once submitted, Snapchat begins permanently erasing your account and data. Avoid logging back in which can cancel the deletion.
Deleting a Twitter Account
Twitter has over 300 million monthly active users. But managing multiple Twitter accounts or dealing with trolls can make you want to leave. Here is how to permanently delete your Twitter account:
Step 1: Deactivate Your Account
First, deactivate your account which removes your profile from view:
- On the web, go to Settings and Privacy > Deactivate my account
- Select Deactivate on the popup
- Enter your password and click Deactivate
This hides your Twitter profile until it’s permanently deleted.
Step 2: Download an Archive of Your Data
Before your account is erased, be sure to download a copy of your tweets, messages, photos and other data:
- On the web, go to Settings and Privacy > Your account > Download an archive of your data
- Select what info you want in the archive like Tweets, Direct Messages, etc.
- Enter your email address and click Request archive
Twitter will email you a link to download your archive once ready. This preserves your tweets even after deleting your account.
Step 3: Permanently Delete Your Account
After saving your Twitter data, you’re ready to permanently erase your presence. To delete your account:
- Go to Settings and Privacy > Deactivate my account
- Scroll down to the bottom and select Permanently delete my account
- Enter your password and click Permanently delete my account
Once your account is deleted, your profile, tweets, media, and other data are unrecoverable. Avoid logging back in after starting the deletion process.
Deleting a TikTok Account
TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users who enjoy creating and watching short videos. But if TikTok is getting in the way of productivity or you want to be more private, here is how to delete your TikTok account:
Step 1: Download Your TikTok Data
Before erasing your presence, download a copy of your videos, messages, analytics and more:
- Open your profile and tap the three dot menu icon
- Select Privacy and settings > Data and analytics > Download your data
- Select the data types you want to download
- Enter your email and tap Next
- Confirm your password and tap OK
TikTok will email a download link when your data export is complete. This preserves your videos even after deletion.
Step 2: Delete All Videos
TikTok retains your videos after account deletion. To completely remove them:
- Tap the profile icon on the bottom right and go to your video feed
- Tap each video and select Delete
- Confirm that you want to permanently delete the video
Repeat this process to delete all videos and remove your entire video presence. Unfollowing creators also eliminates connections.
Step 3: Submit Deletion Request
Ready to delete your account? Here are the steps:
- Open your profile and tap the three dot menu icon
- Select Privacy and settings > Permanently delete account
- Tap Permanently delete my account
- Enter your password and tap Permanently delete account
Once submitted, TikTok begins permanently erasing your account and data within 24 hours. Avoid logging back in to cancel deletion.
Recap on Deleting Social Media Accounts
Deleting accounts from popular social platforms takes more steps than you may expect. Here is a quick recap:
- Facebook – Download your data, delete posts, submit deletion request in settings
- Instagram – Download data archive, manually delete all posts, request account deletion
- Snapchat – Save Memories, delete friends, request account deletion in settings
- Twitter – Deactivate account, download archive, request permanent deletion
- TikTok – Export your data, delete all videos, submit deletion request
For all platforms, avoid logging back in once you have submitted a deletion request. This can cancel the process.
Reasons to Delete Accounts
There are many valid reasons to take a break from social media or delete your accounts entirely. Here are a few common motivations:
- Improve productivity – Social media can be very distracting and reduce work output. Deleting accounts helps avoid procrastination.
- Reduce anxiety – Constant social comparison and fear of missing out on platforms like Instagram can harm mental health.
- More privacy – Removing accounts protects your info and provides more privacy.
- Break bad habits – Compulsive social media use can become an unhealthy habit. Deleting accounts helps build better habits.
- Simplify your life – Juggling multiple social media accounts can complicate your life. Deleting some provides more clarity.
- Take a purposeful break – A digital detox by deleting accounts for a set time lets you reset your relationship with technology.
No matter your specific reasons, deleting social media accounts can be liberating. Just be sure to download your data first!
What Happens When You Delete an Account?
Wondering what happens behind the scenes when you delete your social media account? Here’s a quick overview:
- Your profile and posts are hidden from other users
- Within 1-90 days your account is scheduled for permanent deletion
- All your posts, data, media are erased from company servers
- Your username becomes available for anyone else to claim
- You lose access to the account and all associated data
- You can no longer retrieve or recover any of your past content
So be absolutely certain before making the choice to delete your accounts!
Closing Thoughts
Deleting social media accounts takes more effort than simply clicking a delete button. But the steps outlined in this guide make it straightforward to permanently erase your presence on popular platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
Just be sure to download your data first as a backup. And think carefully before deleting your accounts – the process is irreversible!
A social media detox can be rejuvenating. But you also don’t need to delete accounts entirely if you want to cut back usage. Options like disabling notifications, hiding feeds, and unfollowing friends allow you to tailor your experience.
In the end, listen to your own needs and motivations. If deleting accounts improves your quality of life, then it can be a very healthy decision.
