Over 200 million businesses use Instagram, but according to Meta, last year, nearly a third switched back to personal profiles within a year. Why? Many users find business accounts overwhelming—too many buttons, too much data, and not enough privacy.
If you’re a small business owner, influencer, or someone who just wants to post vacation pics without feeling like a salesperson, this guide is for you. We’ll walk through how to turn off your Instagram business account in 2025, what changes to expect, and how to avoid losing data. No jargon or fluff—just simple steps.
Personal vs. Business vs. Creator Instagram Accounts
Let’s start simple: Instagram has three account types, and each works best for different goals.
- Personal accounts act like a digital diary. You can share posts with friends, set your profile to private, and skip the pressure of ads or analytics.
- Business accounts are designed for selling. They include tools like “Contact” buttons, shopping tags, and detailed analytics. But they’re public by default, which means strangers can see your posts.
- Creator accounts mix both worlds. They offer basic analytics (like follower growth) but skip heavy business features. Influencers and artists often use these.
Switching to a personal account removes business tools but gives you back control over your privacy.
How to Turn Off Your Instagram Business Account
Instagram’s interface changed in 2024, so the steps below reflect the 2025 layout. Still stuck? Double-check your app version (v25.0+ required).
1. Mobile Steps (Android/iOS)
- Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the three-line menu (☰) at the top-right, then choose Settings.
- Scroll to Account and select Switch Account Type.
- Tap Switch to Personal Account and confirm.
2. Desktop Steps (Instagram.com)
- Log into Instagram.com and click your profile icon in the top right.
- Click the gear-shaped Settings icon.
- Under the Account tab, find Switch to Personal Account.
- Click Confirm to finalize the switch.
Important: If you’ve linked a Facebook Page to your Instagram account, unlink it first. Go to Settings > Linked Accounts, tap Facebook, and select Unlink. This avoids issues during the switch.
What Happens After Switching to a Personal Account?
Imagine closing a pop-up shop and moving your goods back home. Here’s what changes when you switch:
You’ll no longer have access to:
- Analytics: No more graphs showing how many people saw your posts.
- Promotions: You can’t boost posts or run ads anymore.
- Contact buttons: The “Email” or “Call” options disappear from your profile.
- Shopping tags: Product links in posts will stop working.
You’ll keep:
- Followers: Nobody gets removed when you switch.
- Old posts and messages: Your content stays exactly where it is. Exception: Drafts or scheduled posts created with business tools may disappear.
Warning: Instagram permanently deletes your past analytics data when you switch. Download time: The emailed file can take up to 48 hours to arrive, so request it early. To save it, download your insights first. Go to Settings > Download Data, choose “Business Analytics,” and wait for Instagram to email you a file.
Why Switch?
People switch back for three common reasons—and they’re all about making life easier:
- Privacy: Business profiles are public, so anyone can see your posts. Switching lets you set your account to private, meaning only approved followers see your content.
- Less stress: Followers won’t expect professional posts or constant updates. You can share casual photos without worrying about “engagement rates.”
- Algorithm rumors: Some users swear personal accounts get more likes because Instagram prioritizes them in feeds. Test this first: Switch temporarily for a week to see if your reach improves before committing. While Instagram hasn’t confirmed this, many creators have noticed that their posts reach friends faster after switching.
Alternatives to Deactivation and Temporary Fixes
Not ready to fully commit? Try these quick fixes instead:
- Go private: Keep your business account but hide posts from strangers. Go to Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy and enable ‘Private Account.’
- Switch to a creator account: You’ll keep follower insights without ads or shopping tags. Go to Settings > Account > Switch Account Type > Creator.
- Take a break: Use Instagram’s ‘Take a Break’ feature (available in Settings > Wellbeing) to pause notifications for 1 hour, 1 day, or 1 week. This won’t switch your account type but will give you breathing room.
Troubleshooting Common Issues During the Switch
Stuck? Here’s how to fix the most common problems:
Problem: The “Switch Account Type” button is missing.
- Fix: Update your Instagram app to the latest version. If that doesn’t work, log out and log back in.
Problem: Error message about a linked Facebook Page.
- Fix: Unlink Facebook first. Go to Settings > Linked Accounts, tap Facebook, and select Unlink.
Problem: Third-party apps (like Hootsuite or Later) stop working.
- Fix: Reconnect your account to these tools. Most apps let you log in with a personal profile, but check their permissions—some features (like post scheduling) may no longer work.
Problem: Instagram crashes during the switch.
- Fix: Clear your app cache (go to phone settings > Instagram > Storage > Clear Cache) or try switching on desktop.
Final Thoughts
Turning off your Instagram business account isn’t about giving up—it’s about choosing what works for you. Maybe you’re rebranding, taking a social media detox, or just tired of tracking likes. Whatever the reason, switching takes less than five minutes and can be reversed at any time. Follow the steps above, back up your data, and enjoy the simplicity of a personal profile.
Pro Tip: If you change your mind later, you can switch back to a business account anytime. Note: Historical analytics (pre-switch) won’t recover, so keep backups. Just repeat the steps and select “Business” instead of “Personal.”
Or need the official steps? Instagram’s 2025 guide is here.
