In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Instagram made a series of PR mistakes that alienated a vast number of users. In an attempt to update and clarify their Terms of Use, many users and mainstream media outlets interpreted the new Instagram TOS as stating that Instagram owned all user images and would be able to sell those images for ads. While Instagram has since retracted their statements and changes and is promising to release a new TOS this month that is more clear, many users have opted to stop using Instagram and are looking for alternatives. We’ve pointed out before that Flickr is a great alternative, and wanted to offer you an easy way to transition.
Flickstagram: Export Instagram Images to Flickr
Using the service Flickstagram, you can export your Instagram images into Flickr and begin using Flickr going forward. Getting started couldn’t be easier.
- Go to http://www.flickstagram.org
- Click Log Into Instagram and authorize the request.
- Click Log Into Flickr and authorize the request.
- Choose how to save your photos – We recommend Private initially so you’ll have an opportunity to review the images.
- Click Go
Within a few minutes, depending on how many images you have, your photos will appear within a new Flickr set called Instagram Photos.
Please note that Instagram currently saves your images in a relatively low resolution format, so the images imported into Flickr will remain in that low 612×612 format, unfortunately. One great benefit to using Flickr going forward is the higher resolution in which your uploaded images are saved.
Also, you should be aware that Flickr free accounts are limited to 300MB of data per month, and up to 30MB per photo. There’s a Pro version available that provides greater bandwidth and file size options.
Flickr is currently offering a free upgrade for the first three months of 2013, so you can try the Pro acount features and determine if they’re worthwhile. At $24.95 a year, we’ve invested in the Pro account and feel it’s definitely worthwhile.
Let us know how you liked Flickstagram and Flickr, and if you have any other recommendations for unhappy Instagram users.
Download All Images
If you would prefer to download a copy of all your Instagram images as a backup, you can use the Instaport service to download a .zip file. You might also take a look at SocialSafe, which can backup multiple social media accounts, including Instagram (we will have a complete review posted soon on this fantastic service).
Delete Your Instagram Account
When you’re ready to take the final step to protect your content and images, you will need to completely delete your Instagram account. There’s no other way to safeguard your photos from Instagram and Facebook. Fortunately, to do so is quite easy, albeit permanent.
- Go to http://www.instagram.com
- Click on My Account
- Log in to your account
- On your Edit Profile screen, look for the “I’d like to delete my account” link at the bottom of the page
- Select a reason for deleting
- Re-enter your password
- Click on “Permanently deactivate my account“
Your account will now be permanently deleted and all uploaded images and content will be gone.
Again, please be sure that you want to take this final step, as it cannot be reversed. You may want to wait until Instagram clarifies their TOS to decide for sure you no longer wish to use the service.
If you have any other questions or need assistance, please leave a comment below. For more updates and news on Instragram, Twitter and the PhotoWars, please subscribe to our updates using the Subscribe field to the right.