Log out of Instagram in three steps
To log out of Instagram, open the app or website, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and select the log out option. The exact steps differ slightly between the mobile app and the desktop website, but both take less than a minute. If you're on a shared device, logging out is the safest way to prevent someone else from accessing your account.
You should log out if you're using a public computer, borrowing a friend's phone, or selling a device. Logging out also helps if Instagram is acting slow or glitchy — sometimes signing back in refreshes the connection and fixes the problem.
Key Takeaways
- On the Instagram app, tap your profile picture in the bottom right, then the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap "Log out".
- On Instagram.com in a web browser, click your profile picture in the top right, then click "Log out" from the dropdown menu.
- Logging out removes your account from that device or browser, but your account itself stays active and your posts remain visible.
- If you forget your password after logging out, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it through your email or phone number.
- On shared devices, logging out is more secure than just closing the app, because closing the app alone may leave you still signed in.
Log out on the Instagram mobile app
Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page. At the top right of the screen, you'll see a menu icon that looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other — tap that.
Scroll down to the bottom of the menu. You'll see a "Log out" button in red text. Tap it. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap "Log out" again. You're now signed out, and the next time you open Instagram, you'll see the login screen.
If you have multiple accounts on the same phone, tapping "Log out" only removes the account you're currently viewing. Your other accounts stay signed in until you log them out separately.
Log out on Instagram.com in a web browser
Go to Instagram.com and make sure you're signed in. In the top right corner, click your profile picture. A small dropdown menu appears with a few options. Click "Log out" at the bottom of that menu.
Instagram will sign you out immediately. The next time you visit Instagram.com, you'll need to enter your username and password again. If you use Instagram on multiple browser tabs, logging out closes all of them at once.
What happens after you log out
Logging out removes your account from that specific device or browser. Your Instagram account itself is not deleted — your posts, followers, and messages all stay exactly as they were. Anyone can still find your profile and see your public posts.
If you log out on your phone but stay logged in on your computer, you can still use Instagram on the computer. You'll need to log back in separately on the phone. Logging out does not change your password or affect any of your account settings.
Log back in after logging out
Open Instagram or go to Instagram.com. You'll see the login screen with fields for your username (or email) and password. Enter your credentials and tap or click "Log in". If you have two-factor authentication turned on, Instagram will ask for a code from your authenticator app or a text message to your phone.
If you don't remember your password, tap or click "Forgot password?" on the login screen. Instagram will send a reset link to the email address or phone number connected to your account. Follow the link to create a new password.
Troubleshooting if the log out button doesn't appear
If you can't find the log out option, make sure you're looking in the right place. On the app, it's at the very bottom of the menu after you scroll down — don't stop scrolling halfway. On the website, it's in the dropdown menu under your profile picture in the top right, not in the settings page.
If the button still doesn't show up, try closing and reopening the app, or refreshing the website. If Instagram is running an old version on your phone, update it through the App Store or Google Play Store. Outdated versions sometimes hide menu options or display them in different locations.
On rare occasions, Instagram's servers have temporary issues that prevent the log out button from working. If nothing works after trying these steps, wait a few hours and try again. You can also force-close the app entirely — on most phones, this removes your session even without using the official log out button, though logging out properly is always safer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my Instagram account?
No. Logging out only removes your account from that device or browser. Your account, posts, followers, and messages remain on Instagram's servers. To permanently delete your account, you would need to go to your settings and choose the delete account option, which is a separate action.
Can someone else see my posts after I log out?
Yes. Your public posts are visible to anyone on Instagram, whether you're logged in or not. Logging out does not change your privacy settings or hide your content. If you want to hide posts from certain people, adjust your privacy settings before you log out.
What if I log out and forget my password?
Use the "Forgot password?" link on the Instagram login screen. Enter your username or the email address connected to your account, and Instagram will send you a password reset link. Click the link and create a new password. You can then log back in with your new password.
Should I log out on a shared computer?
Yes. Always log out on any device you don't own or that other people use. Simply closing the browser or app is not enough — the next person who opens Instagram may still have access to your account. Logging out is the only way to make sure your account is fully removed from that device.
Will logging out affect my Instagram Direct Messages?
No. Your messages stay on Instagram's servers. When you log back in, all your old messages will still be there. Logging out does not delete or lose any of your conversations.