How to Unlink Pinterest from Instagram: A Comprehensive Guide

Social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram offer users seamless integration options, making it easy to share content across platforms. However, there may be times when you wish to unlink your Pinterest account from Instagram—whether it’s for privacy reasons, to streamline your accounts, or to simply regain control over your digital life. This comprehensive guide will take you through the step-by-step process of how to unlink Pinterest from Instagram, ensuring a smooth and effective disconnection.

Why Unlink Pinterest from Instagram?

Before diving into the technical steps, it’s worth considering why you might want to unlink these two platforms:

1. Privacy Concerns: If you’re concerned about sharing too much personal information across platforms, unlinking Pinterest from Instagram can help compartmentalize your digital presence.
2. Reducing Cross-Platform Notifications: Linking accounts can sometimes lead to overwhelming notifications or unwanted cross-posts. Disconnecting the accounts can help reduce clutter in your social feeds.
3. Avoiding Accidental Posts: When accounts are linked, there’s a possibility of accidentally sharing content across platforms. If you want to avoid posting something from Instagram to Pinterest unintentionally, unlinking is a good step.
4. Managing Multiple Accounts: If you manage multiple Instagram or Pinterest accounts, unlinking them can help keep your professional and personal lives separate.

How Are Pinterest and Instagram Linked?

Pinterest does not have a native feature that automatically connects with Instagram in the way Instagram can connect with Facebook. Instead, you may have linked Pinterest to Instagram using third-party apps, services, or by sharing pins or posts manually. Typically, these connections happen through:

• Sharing pins directly to Instagram via mobile sharing options.
• Logging into Pinterest using Instagram credentials.
• Connecting accounts via third-party social media management tools such as Buffer or IFTTT.

Depending on how your accounts were linked, the process for unlinking them may differ slightly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlink Pinterest from Instagram

1. Unlink Pinterest from Instagram via Third-Party Apps

If you’ve used a third-party app to connect your Pinterest and Instagram accounts, the first step to unlink them is by disconnecting these apps. Follow these steps:

For Instagram:

1. Open Instagram: Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device and go to your profile.
2. Go to Settings: Tap on the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then tap on “Settings.”
3. Navigate to Apps and Websites:
   • Select “Security.”
   • Under the “Security” menu, choose “Apps and Websites.”
4. Review Active Services: In this section, you’ll see a list of all third-party services or apps that have access to your Instagram account. Look for any third-party apps that may be linking Pinterest and Instagram (such as Buffer, IFTTT, or Hootsuite).
5. Remove Access: Tap “Remove” next to any app that is connected to Pinterest.

For Pinterest:

1. Open Pinterest: Launch the Pinterest app or visit the Pinterest website on your desktop.
2. Go to Account Settings: Click on your profile icon, then select the gear icon (Settings) to open account settings.
3. Manage Apps: Look for “Apps” under your settings, and review any third-party apps that may have access to your Pinterest account.
4. Disconnect Apps: Remove any services or apps that might be linked to Instagram by revoking access.

2. Remove Pinterest Sharing from Instagram

If you’ve been sharing Instagram posts to Pinterest directly via mobile sharing options, you can stop this by removing Pinterest from your share options:

1. Open Instagram: Launch Instagram on your mobile device.
2. Open a Post: Start a new post as if you were going to share something.
3. Check Linked Accounts: When you reach the “Share” screen where you choose where to post, check for Pinterest under the “Share to” options.
4. Unlink Pinterest: If Pinterest is listed, deselect or remove it from the sharing options.

3. Unlink Pinterest Login with Instagram

If you logged into Pinterest using Instagram credentials, here’s how to change your login method:

1. Open Pinterest: Visit Pinterest on the web or in the app.
2. Go to Settings: Click on your profile icon and then the gear icon to access your account settings.
3. Change Login Method: In the account settings, find the option for login settings. If your account is connected via Instagram, you can update your login method (e.g., change to email login).
4. Confirm Changes: Ensure that the new login method is set up correctly so that Instagram is no longer used for Pinterest authentication.

4. Clear Third-Party Integrations via Pinterest

Another important step is checking third-party app integrations directly from Pinterest:

1. Access Pinterest Settings: Go to the Pinterest website or app and navigate to your profile, then select the gear icon for settings.
2. Go to Security Settings: Look for “Security” or “Apps.”
3. Review Connected Apps: Disconnect any apps that may connect Pinterest to other services, including Instagram.

Final Thoughts

Unlinking Pinterest from Instagram can help you regain control over your social media accounts, improve privacy, and reduce unnecessary cross-posting. While the process is relatively simple, it’s important to review all potential connections, especially if third-party apps were used to link the accounts. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily disconnect your Pinterest and Instagram accounts and enjoy a more streamlined digital experience.

If you’ve linked your accounts through a third-party tool, remember to check for any lingering permissions and always stay mindful of how your personal information is being shared across platforms.