Instagram Pro accounts provide valuable insights and analytics for businesses and creators. However, if you no longer require these features or wish to switch to a personal account, you can easily deactivate your Pro account. The process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps involved in turning off your Instagram Pro account. We will also explore the potential implications of this action and offer tips to ensure a smooth transition.
To begin, it is important to understand that deactivating your Pro account will not delete your Instagram account. Your profile, posts, and followers will remain intact. However, you will lose access to the analytics and insights that come with a Pro account. Additionally, you will no longer be able to promote your posts or view detailed information about your audience. Consider these factors carefully before proceeding with the deactivation process.
To deactivate your Pro account, follow these steps: Open the Instagram app on your mobile device. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Select “Settings” from the menu. Scroll down and tap “Account.” Tap “Switch to Personal Account.” Confirm your decision by tapping “Switch to Personal Account” again. Your Pro account will now be deactivated. You can reactivate your Pro account at any time by following the same steps and selecting “Switch to Professional Account.”
Navigate to Your Instagram Profile
1. Open the Instagram App on Your Device
Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure you are signed into the account for which you wish to deactivate the professional account feature.
2. Tap on Your Profile Icon
Locate the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the app’s main screen. This icon typically displays your profile picture or a silhouette figure. Tap on the icon to access your profile page.
3. Access the Settings Menu
Once on your profile page, tap on the three horizontal lines located in the top right corner of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu. From this menu, select “Settings” to access the app’s settings page.
4. Locate the “Account” Section
Within the settings page, scroll down until you locate the “Account” section. This section contains various options related to your Instagram account settings, including the professional account feature.
5. Tap on “Professional Account”
Under the “Account” section, tap on the option labeled “Professional Account.” This will take you to a page dedicated to managing your professional account settings.
6. Toggle Off the Professional Account Feature
On the “Professional Account” page, you will find a toggle switch labeled “Professional Account.” By default, this switch should be in the “On” position. Tap on the switch to toggle it to the “Off” position.
7. Confirm the Change
Once you toggle the switch to the “Off” position, Instagram will prompt you to confirm the change. A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm if you want to switch back to a personal account. Tap on the “Switch Back to Personal Account” button to complete the process.
Your Instagram account will now be reverted to a personal account, and the professional account features will be deactivated. You can always tap the toggle switch again to reactivate the professional account feature if you change your mind in the future.
Access the Settings Menu
To turn off your Pro account on Instagram, the first step is to access the settings menu. Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to go to your profile page. Then, tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the screen to open the menu. From the menu, select “Settings.”
[Image of a mobile phone with the Instagram app open. The profile icon is highlighted in the bottom right corner, and the three horizontal lines in the top right corner are circled.]
Steps:
| 1. | Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to go to your profile page. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the screen to open the menu. |
| 3. | From the menu, select “Settings.” |
Once you’re in the settings menu, you can follow the steps below to turn off your Pro account.
Locate the “Account” Section
To turn off your Pro account on Instagram, you’ll need to first locate the “Account” section in the app or website. Here are the specific steps for both platforms:
**iPhone or Android app:**
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. |
| 2 | Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of the screen. |
| 3 | Scroll down and tap on “Settings.” |
| 4 | Tap on “Account.” |
**Website:**
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Log in to your Instagram account on the website. |
| 2 | Click on the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. |
| 3 | Click on “Settings” in the drop-down menu. |
| 4 | Click on “Account” in the left-hand menu. |
Scroll Down to “Switch to Personal Account”
Once you’ve selected “Settings,” scroll down the page until you see the “Account” section. Within this section, you’ll find the option to “Switch to Personal Account.”
Confirm Your Choice
When you select “Switch to Personal Account,” Instagram will prompt you to confirm your decision. It will remind you that you’ll lose access to Professional Dashboard insights, Branded Content options, and other business-specific features. Carefully review the information and ensure that you’re ready to make the switch.
Complete the Process
To complete the process, click or tap on the “Switch to Personal Account” button. Instagram will then process your request and convert your account to a personal profile. You can verify the change by checking your profile page, which will no longer display business-related options or insights.
| Features | Business Accounts | Personal Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Dashboard Insights | ✔ | ✘ |
| Branded Content Options | ✔ | ✘ |
| Instagram Shopping | ✔ | ✘ |
| Promotions | ✔ | ✘ |
| Access to Instagram’s Business API | ✔ | ✘ |
Review the Changes
Before you disable your professional account, it is essential to carefully review the consequences. Remember that you will no longer have access to the following features exclusive to business accounts:
- Insights: Track your post performance, audience demographics, and engagement metrics.
- Action Buttons: Allow followers to contact you, book appointments, or visit your website directly.
- Shopping Features: Tag products in your posts and stories, enabling followers to make purchases seamlessly.
- Promotions: Create and run ads to reach a wider audience and promote your brand.
- Access to Instagram Shopping: Showcase and sell your products through Instagram’s dedicated shopping platform.
Additionally, your account will revert to a personal account, which may impact your visibility and engagement with followers.
Confirm the Switch
You’ll be asked to confirm your decision to switch back to a personal account. This is your last chance to back out of the process. Once you click the “Switch to Personal Account” button, you’ll lose access to all the features and insights that come with a professional account, and you’ll no longer be able to switch back for 30 days.
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences between personal and professional accounts:
| Feature | Personal Account | Professional Account |
|---|---|---|
| Access to insights | No | Yes |
| Ability to run ads | No | Yes |
| Ability to add contact information to your profile | No | Yes |
| Ability to schedule posts | No | Yes |
| Ability to create Reels | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to create Stories Highlights | Yes | Yes |
If you’re sure that you want to switch back to a personal account, click the “Switch to Personal Account” button. Instagram will process your request and you’ll be switched back to a personal account within a few minutes.
Verify Your Identity (if necessary)
If you have already verified your identity on Instagram, you can skip this step. However, if you have not, you will need to verify your identity before you can turn off your professional account.
To verify your identity, you will need to provide Instagram with a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. You can upload a photo of your ID to Instagram, or you can send them a copy of your ID by mail. Once your identity has been verified, you will be able to turn off your professional account.
7. Turn Off Your Professional Account
Once you have verified your identity, you can turn off your professional account by following these steps:
- Go to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the “Edit Profile” button.
- Scroll down to the “Account Type” section.
- Tap the “Switch to Personal Account” button.
- Enter your password.
- Tap the “Log In” button.
- Your professional account will now be turned off.
| Option | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Link in bio | Drives traffic directly to your website | Only one link allowed |
| Stories & Reels stickers | Easy and engaging way to promote your brand | Available only for business accounts |
| Insights | Valuable data to track your performance | Cannot be exported |
Complete the Account Type Change
Once you’ve untagged your Pro account, you can proceed with the account type change. Here’s how:
- Navigate to your Instagram profile.
- Tap the menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings.”
- Tap “Account.”
- Scroll down and tap “Switch Account Type.”
- Select “Personal Account.”
- Confirm your selection by tapping “Switch to Personal Account.”
Note:
Switching back to a Personal account from a Pro account may take effect immediately or within a few hours. During this transition period, you may experience some temporary feature limitations.
Additional Information
Here’s a tabular summary of the differences between Personal and Pro accounts on Instagram:
| Feature | Personal Account | Pro Account |
|---|---|---|
| Insights | No | Yes |
| Contact buttons | Only for business profiles | Available for Creator and Business profiles |
| Advanced targeting for ads | No | Yes |
| Shoppable posts | No | Available for Business profiles |
| Branded content tools | No | Available for Creator profiles |
Confirm the Personal Account Status
Once you have toggled off the Professional account option, Instagram will ask you to confirm if you want to switch to a personal account. Make sure you are fully aware of this decision and its implications before proceeding.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Loss of Insights and Performance Data: When you switch to a personal account, you will no longer have access to Instagram’s analytics and insights, which provide valuable data about your account’s performance.
- Removal of Branded Features: Any branded features or settings associated with your Professional account will be removed, including custom action buttons, contact information displayed on your profile, and other business-related options.
- Inability to Promote Posts: You will no longer be able to promote your posts or run advertisements on Instagram if you switch to a personal account.
- Change in Content Restrictions: Personal accounts have different content restrictions compared to Professional accounts. For instance, personal accounts may have stricter limitations on the types of content you can post and share.
- Loss of Collaborations: If you have any active collaborations or partnerships through Instagram’s branded content features, these may be affected when you switch to a personal account.
- Potential Impact on Followers: Some followers may be confused or disappointed by the switch to a personal account, especially if they were previously engaging with your content as a business or brand.
- No Additional Features: Unlike Professional accounts, personal accounts do not offer any additional features or benefits beyond the basic functionality of Instagram.
- Reversion to Default Settings: Your account settings will revert to default settings for personal accounts, so you may need to reconfigure certain options and preferences.
- Rebranding Process: If you decide to switch back to a Professional account in the future, you may need to go through the process of rebranding and rebuilding your account, as some of your previous settings and features may have been lost.
It is important to carefully consider these factors before making the switch to a personal account. If you are unsure whether switching to a personal account is the right decision for you, it is recommended to explore other options, such as temporarily deactivating your account or managing your business activities through a separate account.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
1. Account Settings Not Displaying
If you cannot locate the account settings option, ensure you are using an updated version of the Instagram app. Additionally, check your internet connection and try again. If the issue persists, contact Instagram support.
2. Unable to Switch Back to Personal Account
Make sure you have removed all business information, such as your business name, address, and phone number, from your profile. Once all business data has been removed, you can switch back to a personal account.
3. Missing Insights Data
Insights data may not be available for a period of time after switching from a pro account. Allow a few hours for the data to update and become visible.
4. Business Manager Not Appearing
If your business manager is not visible, ensure that your account has been added to the business manager. Additionally, check if you have the necessary permissions and roles within the business manager.
5. Difficulty Connecting to Business Tools
Make sure you have the correct permissions and roles granted to your account within the business tools. Also, check for updates and compatibility issues with the business tools you are trying to connect.
6. Problems with Instagram Shopping
Confirm that your account is eligible for Instagram shopping and that you have met all the requirements. Check if your products are approved and if your store is set up correctly.
7. Loss of Reach or Engagement
Switching from a pro account may temporarily affect your reach or engagement. It may take some time for your content to gain traction again. Continue posting regularly and engaging with your audience.
8. Issues with Paid Promotions
If you have previously run paid promotions on your pro account, you may need to re-establish your payment information and target audience when switching back to a personal account.
9. Error Messages During Switch
If you encounter error messages during the switch, try closing and reopening the Instagram app. Check for any pending updates or server maintenance issues that may be causing the problems.
10. Additional Considerations
| Aspect | Detail |
|—|—|
| Content Ownership | Your posts and stories will remain yours even after switching to a personal account. |
| Username Changes | Changing your username will not affect your followers or existing content. |
| Ad Archive | Your past ad campaigns will be archived in the Ad Archive, even after switching to a personal account. |
| Re-Applying as a Business | If you decide to reapply as a business account in the future, you will need to go through the application process again. |
How to Turn Off Pro Account on Instagram
If you’re no longer interested in using the Pro features on Instagram, you can easily turn them off. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1.
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2.
Tap the three lines in the top right corner and select “Settings.”
3.
Tap “Account” and then “Switch to personal account.”
4.
Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to switch to a personal account. Tap “Switch” to confirm.
Your account will now be switched back to a personal account. You will lose access to the Pro features, such as Insights, Promotions, and the ability to add a business address and phone number to your profile.
People Also Ask
What Happens When I Switch Back to a Personal Account?
When you switch back to a personal account, you will lose access to the Pro features. This includes Insights, Promotions, and the ability to add a business address and phone number to your profile.
Do I Have to Convert to a Business Account First?
No, you do not need to convert to a business account first. You can switch directly from a Pro account to a personal account.
Can I Revert to a Pro Account Later?
Yes, you can revert to a Pro account later if you change your mind. To do this, simply go to your profile settings and tap “Switch to professional account.”
