Step-By-Step Guide: How To Remove Instagram’s Edits App And Manage Your Data Safely

By Siddhi Jain | Feb 5, 2026, 18:39 IST

Instagram’s companion app Edits was introduced to give users access to advanced photo and video enhancement tools, helping creators polish their content before publishing. While the app offers creative flexibility, many users are now looking to remove it due to limited use, storage concerns, or to avoid subscription-related costs. However, deleting Edits is not as straightforward as uninstalling a regular app.

Since Edits is directly linked to your Instagram account, understanding how data removal works is important before taking any action. Here’s a clear and detailed guide explaining how to delete Instagram’s Edits app data, what happens to your content, and key points to consider before proceeding.

Understanding How Instagram Edits Works

Instagram Edits functions as an extension of the main Instagram platform rather than an independent service. While you can delete videos or projects created within the Edits app at any time, user activity data—such as editing actions, preferences, and usage history—is stored under your Instagram account.

This means there is no standalone option to fully delete Edits-related data without affecting your Instagram profile. To completely erase all Edits information, you must initiate deletion of your Instagram account itself.

How To Delete Your Instagram Edits Data

If you wish to permanently remove all data associated with Instagram Edits, follow the steps below carefully:

Open the Instagram app on your smartphone.
Tap on your profile picture located in the bottom-right corner.
Select the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
Tap on Accounts Center.
Go to Personal Details.
Select Account ownership and control.
Tap on Deactivation or deletion.
Choose the Instagram account you want to delete.
Select Delete account, then tap Continue.
Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your request.

Once completed, your account enters a deletion waiting period.

What Happens After You Submit A Deletion Request

After requesting account deletion, Instagram provides a 30-day grace period. During this time:

Your Instagram profile and Edits content remain hidden.
All Edits-related data stays governed by Instagram’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can cancel the deletion request by logging back into your account.

If you do not cancel within 30 days, your Instagram account and all associated Edits data will be permanently removed, and recovery will no longer be possible.

Can You Cancel The Deletion Request?

Yes. If you change your mind within the 30-day window:

Simply log back into your Instagram account.
The deletion request will be cancelled automatically.
Your profile and Edits content will become visible again.

This option is helpful for users who want time to reconsider before losing access permanently.

Important Things To Keep In Mind

If Instagram deletes your account due to Community Guidelines violations, you may not be allowed to create a new account using the same credentials.
Even after deletion, Instagram states that it may take up to 90 days to fully erase your data from all systems.
Backup copies of your data may remain stored for legal, security, or disaster recovery purposes.
Some information may be retained longer if required for legal compliance or harm prevention, as outlined in Meta’s Privacy Policy.

Should You Delete Instagram Edits Or Just Uninstall It?

If your goal is simply to free up space or stop using the app, uninstalling Edits from your phone is enough. However, if you want to completely erase all activity data linked to Edits, deleting your Instagram account is the only option.

For most users, uninstalling the app while keeping the Instagram account active is the safer and more practical choice.

Final Takeaway

Instagram Edits offers useful tools, but its deep integration with Instagram means data control is limited. Users should carefully evaluate whether they want to permanently delete their account or simply stop using the app. Understanding these steps ensures you make an informed decision without losing important content unexpectedly.