The fastest way to log out depends on where you're signed in
Instagram lets you log out from your phone app, your computer browser, or the Instagram website. The steps are slightly different for each, but they all take less than a minute. If you're signed into Instagram on multiple devices, you can log out of all of them at once from your account settings, or log out of just one device while staying signed in on the others.
The reason to know all three methods: if you're on someone else's phone or computer, you might not have access to your own device to log out remotely. If you've forgotten your password, you can still log out of the app on your phone without needing it. And if you're selling or giving away a device, logging out remotely from another device is faster than wiping the whole phone.
Key Takeaways
- On your phone app, tap your profile icon, then Settings and Privacy, then Log Out at the bottom of the menu.
- On a computer or phone browser, click your profile icon in the top right, then Log Out from the dropdown menu.
- To log out of all devices at once, go to Settings and Privacy, then Security, then Logins and Passwords, and select Log Out All Sessions.
- If you're on someone else's device, you can log out remotely from your own phone or computer using the Sessions section in your settings.
Logging out on the Instagram app (iPhone or Android)
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. This takes you to your profile page. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy. Then tap Settings. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and tap Log Out. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap Log Out again, and you'll be signed out immediately.
If you want to stay signed into Instagram but switch to a different account on the same phone, you don't need to log out. Instead, tap your profile icon, then tap the menu icon, then tap Switch Accounts. You can add up to five accounts and switch between them without logging out of any of them.
Logging out on a computer or mobile browser
Go to Instagram.com in your browser. In the top right corner, click your profile icon (a small circle with your photo). A dropdown menu will appear. Click Log Out at the bottom of that menu.
If you're using Instagram on someone else's computer and you want to make sure you're fully logged out, also clear your browser's cookies and cache after logging out. This removes the data Instagram stores about your login. In most browsers, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete (on Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (on Mac), then selecting the time range "All Time" and checking "Cookies and other site data."
Logging out of all devices at once
If you're signed into Instagram on your phone, tablet, and computer, you can log out of all of them from one place. Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon, then the menu icon, then Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Security, then Logins and Passwords.
You'll see a list of all the devices you're currently signed into, with the device type and the date you last used it. At the top, tap Log Out All Sessions. Instagram will ask you to confirm your password — type it in and tap Log Out. You'll be signed out of Instagram on every device you were using.
This is useful if you think your account might have been hacked, or if you've lost a phone or tablet and want to make sure no one else can access your account from that device.
Logging out of a single device when you're signed in on multiple devices
You don't have to log out everywhere if you only want to sign out on one device. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Security, then Logins and Passwords. You'll see a list of all your active sessions with the device name and last login date.
Find the device you want to log out of and tap it. A menu will appear with the option to Log Out. Tap it, and you'll be signed out of Instagram on that device only. You'll stay signed in on all your other devices.
What to do if you can't remember your password
You can still log out of the Instagram app on your phone even if you don't remember your password. Just follow the steps for logging out on the app — you don't need your password to log out locally. However, if you want to log out of all sessions remotely (from a device where you're not currently signed in), you'll need to reset your password first.
To reset your password, go to Instagram.com and click Forgot Password on the login screen. Enter your username or email address, and Instagram will send you a link to reset it. After you've set a new password, you can then log into your account from any device and log out of other sessions if you need to.
Logging out when you've been hacked or locked out
If you think someone else has access to your account, log out of all sessions immediately using the steps above. Then change your password to something long and unique — at least 12 characters, with uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. After you've changed your password, check your login activity in Settings and Privacy, then Security, then Logins and Passwords to see if there are any unfamiliar devices.
If you're locked out of your account entirely and can't log in, you can't log out remotely. Instead, go to Instagram.com and click Forgot Password. Follow the steps to reset your password using your email address or phone number. Once you've regained access, log out of any sessions you don't recognize.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does logging out delete my photos or messages?
No. Logging out only signs you out of your account on that device. Your photos, messages, followers, and everything else in your account stays exactly as it is. When you log back in, you'll see everything you left behind.
If I log out on my phone, will I still be logged in on my computer?
Yes. Each device is separate. Logging out on your phone doesn't affect your computer, tablet, or browser. You have to log out on each device individually, or use Log Out All Sessions to sign out everywhere at once.
Can I log out of Instagram without opening the app?
Yes. Go to Instagram.com in any browser, sign in if you're not already, and click your profile icon in the top right, then Log Out. You can also log out of a specific device from another device by going to Settings and Privacy, then Security, then Logins and Passwords, then selecting the device and tapping Log Out.
What's the difference between logging out and deactivating my account?
Logging out just signs you out — your account still exists and is active. Deactivating temporarily hides your profile, and deleting permanently removes it. If you only want to take a break from Instagram, log out. If you want to hide your account for a while, deactivate it from Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Deactivate Account.
Will Instagram send me a notification when I log out?
Instagram doesn't send a notification for logging out. However, if you log out of all sessions, Instagram may send you a security alert to the email address on your account, letting you know that all your sessions were ended. This is a security feature to help you notice if someone else ended your sessions.