Change your Instagram password from your phone or computer

You can change your Instagram password in Settings on your phone, or through your web browser on a computer. The process takes about two minutes. Instagram will log you out of all other devices once you confirm the new password, so you'll need to sign back in on any phone or tablet where you use the app.

You don't need to know your old password to set a new one — Instagram will send a confirmation link to your email address instead. If you can't access your email, you can use a phone number or username recovery option instead.

Key Takeaways

  • On your phone, go to Settings, then Account, then Password to change it in about two minutes.
  • On a computer, visit instagram.com, click your profile icon, select Settings, then Password.
  • Instagram will log you out everywhere once you save a new password, and you'll need to sign back in on each device.
  • If you don't remember your old password, use the email confirmation option instead of trying to guess it.
  • After you change your password, check your login activity in Settings to see which devices are signed in.

Change your password on an iPhone or Android phone

Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right, and select Settings.

Tap Account, then Password. Instagram will ask you to enter your current password. Type it in and tap Change Password. Enter your new password twice to confirm it matches, then tap Change Password again. Instagram will show a confirmation message and log you out of all other sessions.

If you don't remember your current password, tap Forgot Password instead of entering it. Instagram will send a link to your email address. Open that email, click the link, and you can set a new password without knowing the old one.

Change your password on a computer

Go to instagram.com in your web browser and sign in if you're not already logged in. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu.

Click Password in the left sidebar. Enter your current password in the first box, then type your new password in the second and third boxes. Click Change Password. You'll see a confirmation that your password has been updated, and Instagram will log you out of all other devices.

If you've forgotten your password, click Forgot Password below the password field instead. Instagram will email you a reset link that works for 24 hours.

What happens after you change your password

Instagram automatically logs you out of every device except the one you're currently using. This means if you change your password on your phone, you'll stay signed in on that phone but get logged out on your computer, tablet, or any other phone where you use Instagram.

You'll need to sign back in on each device using your new password. Open the Instagram app or go to instagram.com, enter your username or email, and type your new password. This usually takes less than a minute per device.

After you change your password, it's a good idea to check which devices are signed in. Go to Settings, then Login Activity (on phone) or Security (on computer). This shows you every device currently logged into your account. If you see a device you don't recognize, you can sign it out from that same screen.

Create a strong password you can remember

A strong Instagram password uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. For example: BlueSky#2024Jazz or Coffee47@Morning. Avoid using your name, birthday, or common words that appear in the dictionary.

If you have trouble remembering passwords, consider using a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the password manager built into your phone's settings. These tools store your passwords securely and fill them in automatically when you sign in. You only have to remember one main password to unlock the manager.

Write your new password down on paper and store it somewhere safe if you prefer — a locked drawer or safe at home works fine. Never text your password to yourself or email it to yourself, since those messages can be intercepted.

If you're locked out of your account

If you can't remember your password and don't have access to the email address on your account, Instagram offers other recovery options. On the login screen, tap Forgot Password and select "Need more help?" You can then use your phone number or username to recover your account instead.

Instagram will text a code to the phone number on your account, or send a link to an alternate email address if you set one up. If neither of those works, you can answer security questions or upload a photo of your ID to prove you own the account. This process usually takes a few hours to a few days.

If you set up two-factor authentication on your account (which sends a code to your phone every time you sign in from a new device), you'll need that code to sign back in after you reset your password. Make sure you have access to that phone number before you start the recovery process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?

No. Changing your password only affects how you sign in. Your photos, videos, messages, followers, and everything else on your account stays exactly the same. The only thing that changes is that you'll be logged out on other devices.

Can I change my password without knowing my old one?

Yes. On the password change screen, tap or click Forgot Password instead of entering your current password. Instagram will email you a reset link. You can use that link to set a new password without typing the old one.

How often should I change my Instagram password?

There's no set rule, but changing it every few months is reasonable if you use Instagram regularly. Change it right away if you think someone else knows your password, if you used the same password on another site that got hacked, or if you shared your login with someone you no longer trust.

What if I change my password and still can't sign back in?

Wait a few minutes — Instagram sometimes takes a moment to update across all its servers. Then try signing in again with your new password. If it still doesn't work, make sure you're typing your password correctly (check for caps lock). If you're still stuck, use the Forgot Password option again to reset it.

Can I use the same password I used before?

Instagram will let you, but it's not a good idea. If someone guessed your old password, they could get back in. Choose something completely different that you haven't used on Instagram before.