The fastest way to add another account
You can add a second Instagram account directly in the app without logging out of your first one. Open Instagram, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the username at the top of your profile screen. A menu will appear with an option to "Add account". Tap it, then enter the username and password for the account you want to add. Instagram will remember both accounts, and you can switch between them by tapping the username at the top again and selecting which account to use.
This method works on both iPhone and Android. On a computer, you cannot switch between accounts the same way — you will need to log out and log back in each time you want to change accounts, or use a different browser or browser profile for each account.
If you do not yet have a second Instagram account, you will need to create one first. You can do this by tapping "Create new account" when you reach the login screen, or by visiting instagram.com on a computer and following the same process.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to five Instagram accounts in the mobile app and switch between them without logging out.
- On a computer, you must log out and log back in to switch accounts, or use separate browser profiles to stay logged into multiple accounts at once.
- Adding an account requires the username and password for that account — you cannot add someone else's account to your phone.
- If you forget the password for the account you want to add, you will need to reset it on Instagram's website before you can add it to your phone.
Adding an account on iPhone
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. At the top of the screen, you will see your username. Tap it to open a dropdown menu. Select "Add account" from the list. Enter the username or email and password for the account you want to add, then tap "Log in".
Once you have added the account, you can switch between them by tapping your username at the top of your profile and selecting which account you want to use. The app will remember both accounts even after you close and reopen Instagram.
Adding an account on Android
The process on Android is identical to iPhone. Open Instagram, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, tap your username at the top, and select "Add account". Enter the login details for the account you want to add and tap "Log in".
You can add up to five accounts total on Android. If you try to add a sixth, Instagram will ask you to remove one of the existing accounts first.
Adding an account on a computer or web browser
Instagram's website does not have a built-in account switcher like the mobile app does. To use multiple accounts on a computer, you have two options: log out and log back in each time you want to switch, or use separate browser profiles.
To log out and switch accounts, click your profile icon in the top right corner of Instagram.com, then click "Log out". You will be taken to the login page. Enter the username and password for the other account and click "Log in".
To stay logged into multiple accounts at once, use different browser profiles. In Chrome, click your profile icon in the top right corner of the browser (not Instagram), then click "Add" to create a new profile. Log into Instagram in that profile with your second account. You can then switch between profiles by clicking your browser profile icon, and you will stay logged into different Instagram accounts in each one. Firefox and Safari have similar features called "Containers" and "Profiles" respectively.
What to do if you cannot remember the password
If you want to add an account but cannot remember its password, you will need to reset it before you can add it to your phone. Go to instagram.com on any computer or phone, click "Forgot password?" on the login screen, and enter the username or email address for that account.
Instagram will send a password reset link to the email address associated with the account. Click the link, create a new password, and save it somewhere you can find it. Once you have reset the password, you can add the account to your phone using the new password.
Removing an account you no longer want to use
To remove an account from your phone without deleting it, open Instagram, tap your profile icon, tap your username at the top, and select the account you want to remove. Tap "Remove" at the bottom of the screen. The account will no longer appear in your account switcher, but it will still exist on Instagram — you can add it back later if you want.
Removing an account from your phone does not delete the account itself. If you want to permanently delete an Instagram account, you will need to go to instagram.com, log in as that account, go to Settings, and select "Delete account". Be aware that this action cannot be undone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone else's Instagram account to my phone?
No. You can only add accounts that you have the password for. If you add an account to your phone, you will be able to post, message, and see private content from that account, so Instagram only allows you to add accounts you own or have permission to manage.
What happens to my followers if I add a second account?
Adding a second account does not affect your first account at all. Your followers, posts, and messages stay exactly the same. The two accounts are completely separate.
Can I add the same account to multiple phones?
Yes. You can log into the same Instagram account on as many phones or computers as you want. However, if you log in on a new device, Instagram may ask you to confirm your identity by entering a code sent to your email or phone number.
How many accounts can I add to the Instagram app?
You can add up to five accounts on both iPhone and Android. If you need to use more than five accounts, you will need to remove one before adding another.
Will adding an account use more data or battery?
Adding an account uses slightly more data and battery because Instagram will send notifications and updates for both accounts. The difference is usually small unless you have many accounts added at once.