You cannot retrieve your actual password, but you can create a new one

Instagram does not show you your password — not even if you remember it. The company stores passwords in a way that makes them impossible to recover. What you can do instead is reset your password to something new, which takes a few minutes on any device with internet access.

If you still have access to your Instagram account, the reset happens through Instagram's settings. If you cannot log in, you will use your email address or phone number to prove you own the account, then set a new password. Both paths work the same way: you create a fresh password rather than finding the old one.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram stores passwords in a way that prevents the company from showing them to you, even if you ask.
  • If you can log in, go to Settings, then Password, and type a new one directly.
  • If you cannot log in, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen and verify your identity through email or phone.
  • A password reset takes five to ten minutes and works on phones, tablets, and computers.
  • If you cannot access your email or phone number, you may need to use a backup email or contact Instagram's support team.

Resetting your password when you can still log in

Open Instagram on your phone or computer and log in normally. Once you are on your home feed, tap or click the menu icon — three horizontal lines on the phone app, or a gear icon on the web version — and select Settings.

Look for the option labeled Password or Security. Tap or click it, then enter your current password when asked. Instagram will then show you two blank fields: one for your new password and one to confirm it. Type the same password in both fields and save. You will be logged out and asked to log back in with your new password.

Resetting your password when you cannot log in

Go to Instagram.com on any browser or open the Instagram app. On the login screen, look for the text that says "Forgot password?" and tap or click it. Instagram will ask you to enter either your username, email address, or phone number — whichever one you remember.

After you enter that information, Instagram sends a link to your email address or a code to your phone number. Check your email inbox (including spam and promotions folders) or your text messages. Click the link in the email or enter the code on Instagram's screen. You will then be able to create a new password.

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

If the email address or phone number tied to your account no longer works, you have a few options. First, check whether you set up a backup email address when you created the account. Go to Instagram.com, click "Forgot password?", and try entering that backup email instead.

If you do not have a backup email or phone number, or if that does not work, you will need to contact Instagram directly. On the password reset screen, look for a link that says something like "Need more help?" or "Can't reset your password?" Click it and follow the steps to submit a request to Instagram's support team. They will ask you to verify your identity in other ways — such as uploading a photo of yourself or answering questions about your account history — before they help you regain access.

Creating a strong new password

When you set your new password, avoid using information that is easy to guess: your name, birthday, username, or common words. Instagram's password field will accept any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example, "BlueSky#2024Jazz" is harder to guess than "password123". If you have trouble remembering a long password, consider using a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely and fills them in for you automatically.

Keeping your account secure after a reset

After you create a new password, take a moment to check your account settings for anything unusual. Go to Settings, then Security, and look at "Login activity" or "Where you are logged in." You should see only devices you recognize. If you see a phone, computer, or location you do not recognize, tap or click it and select "Log out."

You can also turn on two-factor authentication, which adds an extra security step when someone tries to log in from a new device. Go to Settings, then Security, and look for "Two-factor authentication" or "Two-step verification." Turn it on and choose whether you want Instagram to send codes to your phone number or through an authentication app.

Why Instagram does not show your password

When you create a password, Instagram scrambles it using a mathematical process called hashing. This scrambled version is what Instagram stores on its servers. The original password cannot be recovered from the scrambled version — it is a one-way process. This design protects you: if someone hacks Instagram's servers, they get the scrambled versions, not the real passwords.

This is why Instagram can only offer a password reset, not a password recovery. Even Instagram's own employees cannot see your password. If you forget it, the only solution is to create a new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my password without knowing my current one?

No, if you can log in, Instagram requires you to enter your current password before you can create a new one. If you cannot log in, use the "Forgot password?" link instead, which verifies your identity through email or phone rather than asking for the old password.

How long does it take to reset my password?

If you can log in, the reset is instant. If you use "Forgot password?", the email or text usually arrives within a few minutes. In rare cases, it may take up to an hour. Check your spam folder if you do not see the email.

What if I set a new password but still cannot log in?

Wait a few minutes — Instagram sometimes takes time to update across all its servers. Then try logging in again. If it still does not work, use "Forgot password?" again and create another new password. If the problem continues, contact Instagram's support team through the "Need more help?" link on the login screen.

Can someone else reset my password without my permission?

No. To reset your password through "Forgot password?", the person would need access to your email inbox or phone number. If you think someone has accessed your account, change your password immediately and turn on two-factor authentication to prevent it from happening again.

Should I write down my new password somewhere?

Writing it down on paper and storing it in a safe place is more secure than using the same password everywhere or writing it in a note on your phone. A better option is a password manager, which encrypts your passwords and fills them in automatically without you having to type or remember them.