You cannot retrieve your actual password, but you can reset it immediately

Instagram does not show you your password anywhere — not in settings, not in email, not anywhere. That is intentional: if Instagram stored passwords in a way that employees could read them, hackers who broke in could read them too. Instead, the company stores only an encrypted version that cannot be reversed.

What you can do is reset your password to something new, which takes about two minutes. If you remember your current password and just want to change it, you can do that from settings. If you have forgotten it, Instagram can send you a reset link by email or text message.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram cannot show you your password because it stores only an encrypted version that cannot be read back.
  • If you remember your password, go to Settings > Security > Password to change it to something new.
  • If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to receive a reset link by email or phone number.
  • The reset link works for only 30 minutes, so check your email or text message immediately after requesting it.
  • If you cannot access the email or phone number linked to your account, use the "Need more help?" option to verify your identity another way.

Resetting your password when you remember it

Open Instagram on your phone or computer and log in with your current password. Tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner (phone) or top right (computer), then select Settings.

On your phone, tap Security, then Password. On a computer, click Security in the left menu, then Password. Enter your current password once more, then type your new password twice. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap or click Change Password.

You will be logged out of all other sessions on other devices. If you use Instagram on your phone, tablet, and computer, you will need to log back in on each one with your new password.

Resetting your password when you forgot it

Go to Instagram.com on any device and tap or click Log In. Below the password field, tap or click Forgot Password? Enter your username, email address, or phone number — whichever one you remember. Instagram will show you which email or phone number is connected to your account (partially hidden for privacy).

Choose whether to receive the reset link by email or text message. Instagram will send a link that works for 30 minutes. Open your email or text message right away and tap or click the link. You will be taken to a page where you can type a new password twice, then confirm the change.

If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes reset emails get filtered there. If the text message does not arrive, wait a minute or two and try requesting it again.

What to do if you cannot access your email or phone number

If the email or phone number linked to your account no longer works — you changed providers, lost access to that email, or the number was reassigned — tap or click Need More Help? on the password reset screen. Instagram will ask you to verify your identity using your profile photo, a photo of your ID, or other information only you would know.

Follow the prompts to upload photos or answer security questions. Instagram reviews these manually, which usually takes a few hours to a few days. Once verified, you will be able to set a new password.

This process is slower than a standard reset, but it is the main way Instagram prevents someone else from taking over your account if they somehow got your username and email address.

Changing your password regularly

Instagram recommends changing your password every few months, especially if you use the same password on other websites. A strong password has at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueMoon$2024!Jazz" is stronger than "password123".

If you use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone or browser, it can generate and store a strong password for you. That way you do not have to remember it, and you can use a different password for every website.

Recovering your account if you think someone else has your password

If you believe someone else has logged into your account, change your password immediately using the steps above. Then go to Settings > Security > Login Activity to see where your account has been accessed. If you see logins from places you do not recognize, tap or click the three dots next to that login and select Log Out.

You can also go to Settings > Security > Apps and Websites to see which third-party apps have permission to access your Instagram account. Remove any apps you do not recognize or no longer use.

If you cannot log in at all because someone changed your password, use the Forgot Password process described above. If you cannot access that either because they changed your email or phone number, use the Need More Help? option to verify your identity and regain control.

Why Instagram does not email you your password

Some older websites store passwords in a way that lets them send them back to you by email. This is a security risk: if a hacker breaks into Instagram's servers, they could read all the passwords. Modern websites, including Instagram, use encryption so that even Instagram employees cannot see your password.

This means you cannot recover your old password — you can only create a new one. It also means that if you forget your password, the only way back in is through email, text message, or identity verification. There is no "master password" or backdoor, which is actually safer for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my password in my browser's saved passwords?

Yes. Most browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) save passwords when you log in. You can view saved passwords in your browser settings — usually under Passwords or Autofill. This shows the password your browser remembers, but it is the same one you use to log into Instagram, so treat it as carefully as you would treat the password itself.

What if I get a message saying my password is too weak?

Instagram requires passwords to be at least 6 characters, but recommends at least 8. If you see a weakness warning, use a longer password with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. A phrase like "CoffeeMonday#47" is both strong and easier to remember than a random string.

Do I need to change my password if I shared my login with someone else?

Yes. If you gave your password to a friend, family member, or anyone else, change it as soon as they no longer need access. They will be logged out of your account once you change the password. If you want to let someone manage your account, use Instagram's Authorized Partners feature instead, which gives them limited access without sharing your password.

How long does the password reset link stay active?

The reset link works for 30 minutes after Instagram sends it. If you do not use it within that time, you will need to request a new one. This time limit exists to prevent someone else from using an old reset link if they somehow got access to your email.

Will changing my password log me out of Instagram on my phone?

Yes. When you change your password, Instagram logs you out of all active sessions — your phone, tablet, computer, and any other device. You will need to log back in with your new password on each device. This is a security feature that prevents someone else from staying logged in if they had your old password.