You can disconnect Facebook from Instagram, but the process depends on whether you want to unlink your accounts or just stop sharing between them

If you created your Instagram account using Facebook, or if you linked the two accounts later, you can unlink them. This means Instagram will no longer be connected to your Facebook account, and you'll need a separate password to log into Instagram. If you want to keep both accounts but just stop cross-posting or sharing your Instagram activity to Facebook, that's a different process — you change sharing settings rather than disconnect the accounts entirely.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're on a phone or computer, and whether you use Instagram's app or the web version. This guide covers both scenarios so you can choose the path that matches your setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Unlinking your accounts means Instagram becomes independent from Facebook and requires its own password to log in.
  • If you only want to stop sharing posts between the platforms, you change privacy settings instead of disconnecting.
  • On a phone, go to Settings > Accounts > Accounts Center to find the unlink option; on a computer, use instagram.com/accounts/login/.
  • After unlinking, you'll need to create a new password for Instagram if you don't already have one separate from Facebook.
  • Unlinking does not delete either account — both remain active, just no longer connected.

How to unlink Instagram from Facebook on your phone

Open the Instagram app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Accounts and passwords or Accounts depending on your phone's operating system.

Tap Accounts Center. This is Meta's central hub for managing both Instagram and Facebook. You'll see a list of accounts connected to your Accounts Center. Find Facebook in that list and tap it. Look for an option that says Remove account or Disconnect. Tap it and confirm when prompted. Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to remove this connection — this is the point where the unlinking actually happens.

After unlinking, Instagram will ask if you want to set a new password for your Instagram account. You should do this — it ensures you can log back into Instagram without needing Facebook. If you skip this step, you may have trouble logging in later.

How to unlink Instagram from Facebook on a computer

Go to instagram.com and log in if you're not already logged in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side menu, click Accounts and passwords.

Click Accounts Center. You'll see your connected accounts listed. Find Facebook and click on it. Look for a button or link that says Remove account or Disconnect. Click it and confirm the removal when the popup appears.

Instagram will prompt you to create a new password for your account. Enter a password you haven't used elsewhere and confirm it. This new password is what you'll use to log into Instagram going forward.

Stopping cross-posting without disconnecting your accounts

If you want to keep your accounts linked but stop Instagram from automatically sharing your posts to Facebook, you don't need to unlink anything. Instead, you change your sharing settings for individual posts or turn off automatic sharing entirely.

When you create a post in Instagram, before you share it, look for sharing options. You'll see toggles for different platforms — Facebook, Twitter, and others. Simply turn off the Facebook toggle before you post. If you want to stop automatic sharing for all future posts, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Sharing and visibility and turn off Share to Facebook.

This approach keeps your accounts connected, which means you can still use Facebook login to access Instagram and manage both accounts from Accounts Center. You're just controlling what information flows between them.

What happens to your accounts after unlinking

Unlinking does not delete either your Instagram or Facebook account. Both accounts remain active and separate. You can still log into Facebook using your Facebook password, and you can log into Instagram using the new password you created during the unlinking process.

Any posts, photos, or followers you have on Instagram stay exactly where they are. The same is true for Facebook. Unlinking only breaks the connection between the two platforms — it doesn't erase anything or change what's already posted.

If you ever want to link them again in the future, you can do so through Accounts Center by adding Facebook to your Instagram account. The process is reversible.

Troubleshooting common problems when unlinking

If you don't see an Accounts Center option, your accounts may not be linked in the first place. This sometimes happens if you created your Instagram account with an email address instead of using Facebook login. In that case, there's nothing to unlink.

If you created your Instagram account using Facebook login and you don't have a separate password, Instagram won't let you unlink until you create one. When you see the password creation prompt during unlinking, you must complete it. If you skip it, the unlinking may not go through, or you could lose access to your account.

If you're locked out of your account after unlinking, use the "Forgot password?" option on the Instagram login screen. Instagram will send a reset link to the email address associated with your account. Follow that link to create a new password and regain access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlinking Instagram from Facebook delete my photos or followers?

No. Unlinking only disconnects the two accounts from each other. All your photos, videos, followers, and account history remain on Instagram exactly as they were. The same applies to your Facebook account — nothing is deleted or removed.

Can I still log into Instagram with my Facebook password after unlinking?

No. Once you unlink, you must use the new password you created during the unlinking process to log into Instagram. Facebook login will no longer work for Instagram. That's why Instagram asks you to set a new password before completing the unlink.

What's the difference between unlinking and just turning off cross-posting?

Unlinking makes the accounts completely separate — you need different passwords and they're no longer connected in Accounts Center. Turning off cross-posting keeps them linked but stops posts from automatically sharing between platforms. Choose unlinking if you want full separation; choose cross-posting settings if you want to keep the connection but control what's shared.

If I unlink and then want to link again later, will I lose anything?

No. You can link your accounts again at any time through Accounts Center. All your content, followers, and account data remain unchanged whether the accounts are linked or unlinked.

Why does Instagram ask me to create a password when I unlink?

If you originally created your Instagram account using Facebook login, you never set up a separate password. Instagram needs one to let you log in after unlinking, since Facebook login will no longer work. This password is unique to Instagram and separate from your Facebook password.