You can create a second Instagram account using the same email address or a different one, and switch between them without logging out

Instagram lets you add multiple accounts to a single app installation. You sign up for a new account the same way you created your first one — with an email address or phone number — then link it to the app you already have. Once both accounts are added, you can tap your profile picture to switch between them instantly. You do not have to log out of one account to use the other.

The process takes about five minutes and works the same way on iPhone, Android, and desktop. You can have up to five accounts linked to one app at a time.

Key Takeaways

  • Create a new account by signing up through Instagram's sign-up screen, using either a new email address or the same email as your first account.
  • After you create the new account, add it to your existing Instagram app by entering the username and password on the login screen.
  • Switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture at the bottom right, then selecting the account you want to use.
  • You can have up to five accounts linked to one app, and you can remove any account without deleting it by tapping and holding its name.

Create a new Instagram account from the sign-up screen

Open Instagram and tap Create new account at the bottom of the login screen. You will see this option below the login fields on the first screen you see when you open the app. If you are already logged in, tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap Log out. This takes you back to the login screen.

Enter your email address or phone number, then create a username and password. Instagram will ask you to confirm your email or phone number by sending you a code. Enter that code, add a profile picture if you want, and you are done. Your new account is now created and active in the app.

Add the new account to your existing app installation

If you created your new account on a web browser or a different device, you need to add it to the Instagram app on your phone. Tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Scroll down and tap Log out. On the login screen, enter the username and password for your new account, then tap Log in.

Instagram will ask you to confirm your identity with a code sent to your email or phone. Enter the code, and the account is now added to your app. You can repeat this process to add up to five accounts total.

Switch between accounts without logging out

Once you have added multiple accounts, tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen. You will see a list of all your linked accounts. Tap the one you want to use, and Instagram switches to that account instantly. Your previous account stays logged in — you are not logging out of it.

This is the fastest way to move between accounts. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want without entering a password each time.

Remove an account from your app

If you want to stop seeing an account in your list, tap your profile picture, then tap and hold the account name you want to remove. A menu will appear with the option to Remove. Tap it, and that account is no longer linked to your app. The account itself still exists on Instagram — you are only removing it from this app installation.

To add it back later, go to the login screen, enter the username and password, and it will reappear in your account list.

Use the same email for multiple accounts

Instagram allows you to use the same email address for more than one account. When you create your second account, you can enter the same email you used for your first account. Instagram will send a confirmation code to that email, and you enter it to finish creating the account.

This is useful if you want to keep your accounts organized under one email address. However, you still need a separate username and password for each account.

Create an account on desktop instead of your phone

Go to instagram.com in a web browser and click Create new account at the bottom of the login form. Enter your email or phone number, create a username and password, and confirm your email or phone number with the code Instagram sends you. Once your account is created, you can add it to the Instagram app on your phone by logging in with that username and password.

Creating on desktop works the same way as creating on your phone. The account will be ready to use on any device once you log in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same email for two Instagram accounts?

Yes. When you create your second account, enter the same email address you used for your first account. Instagram will send a confirmation code to that email. You still need a different username and password for each account, but the email can be the same.

How many accounts can I link to one app?

You can link up to five accounts to a single Instagram app installation. Once you reach five, you have to remove one before you can add another. Removing an account from the app does not delete the account — it just unlinks it.

Do I have to log out to switch between accounts?

No. Tap your profile picture and select the account you want to use. Instagram switches instantly without logging you out of your other accounts. All your linked accounts stay logged in at the same time.

What happens if I delete an account from the app?

Tapping Remove on an account only unlinks it from your app — it does not delete the account. You can add it back by logging in with that username and password on the login screen.

Can I create a second account without a phone number or email?

No. Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create any account. You cannot create an account without one of these.