The basic steps to link Instagram and Facebook
To connect Instagram to Facebook, you go to Instagram Settings, select Accounts and Password, then tap Linked Accounts, and choose Facebook. Instagram will ask you to log in with your Facebook credentials and confirm the connection. The whole process takes about two minutes and requires you to have both accounts already set up.
Once linked, the two accounts stay connected until you manually disconnect them. You can then cross-post content from Instagram to Facebook, manage both accounts from one place, and use Facebook's business tools through Instagram. The connection works on both the mobile app and the web version of Instagram.
If you run a business account on Instagram, linking to Facebook is especially useful because it lets you access Facebook's advertising platform, see combined analytics, and respond to messages from both platforms in one inbox. Personal accounts can link too, but most of the cross-posting and management features are designed for business accounts.
Key Takeaways
- You connect Instagram to Facebook through Instagram Settings by selecting Linked Accounts and choosing Facebook, then logging in with your Facebook credentials.
- Both accounts must already exist before you can link them, and you need to be the owner of both accounts to complete the connection.
- Once linked, you can share Instagram posts directly to your Facebook page or profile without posting them separately on Facebook.
- Business accounts get more features from linking, including combined analytics, unified messaging, and access to Facebook's ad tools through Instagram.
- You can disconnect the accounts at any time from the same Linked Accounts menu, and doing so does not delete any posts or messages.
Step-by-step instructions for mobile and web
On the Instagram mobile app: Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Settings and Privacy. Tap Accounts and Password, then tap Linked Accounts. Select Facebook and log in with your Facebook username and password when prompted. Tap Continue, then tap OK to confirm the connection.
On Instagram.com: Log in to your Instagram account and click your profile icon in the top right. Click Settings and Privacy, then click Accounts and Password in the left menu. Click Linked Accounts, then click Facebook. Log in with your Facebook credentials and click Continue to finish.
If you see a message saying "This account is already linked to a different Facebook account," it means your Instagram account is already connected to another Facebook page or profile. You will need to disconnect it first before linking to a different Facebook account. The disconnect option appears in the same Linked Accounts menu.
What happens after you connect the accounts
After linking, you can share posts from Instagram to Facebook without opening Facebook separately. When you create a post on Instagram, you will see an option to also share it to Facebook. You can choose to post to your Facebook profile, a Facebook page you manage, or both at the same time.
Your Instagram Stories do not automatically cross-post to Facebook Stories — you have to choose to share each Story separately if you want it on both platforms. The same is true for Reels: they can be shared to Facebook, but you control which ones go there.
Messages sent to your Instagram Direct Messages and Facebook Messenger will appear in one unified inbox if you use the Meta Business Suite or the Instagram app. This means you can reply to customers or followers from either platform without switching back and forth. However, the messages themselves stay on their original platform — a Facebook message does not become an Instagram message.
Requirements before you can link
You must own both the Instagram account and the Facebook account you want to link. If someone else created either account, you cannot link them. You also cannot link an Instagram account to multiple Facebook accounts at the same time — one Instagram account connects to one Facebook page or profile.
Your Instagram account must be at least a few days old. Brand new accounts sometimes cannot link immediately. If you just created your Instagram account, wait a few days and try again.
If your Instagram account was created with a phone number or email instead of a Facebook login, you still need a Facebook account to link. Creating a Facebook account takes just a few minutes if you do not have one yet.
Disconnecting Instagram from Facebook
To disconnect the accounts, go back to Settings and Privacy on Instagram, select Accounts and Password, then tap Linked Accounts. Select Facebook and tap Disconnect. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap Disconnect again to finish. The accounts will no longer be linked.
Disconnecting does not delete any posts, messages, or followers. Posts you shared to both platforms stay on both platforms. Your Instagram and Facebook accounts continue to exist separately, and you can link them again later if you want.
If you disconnect because you want to link Instagram to a different Facebook account, you can do that right away. Just go back to Linked Accounts and select Facebook again, then log in with the credentials for the new Facebook account.
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If you see an error message when trying to link, the most common cause is that you are not logged into Instagram with the account owner's credentials. Log out completely and log back in with the account you want to link, then try again.
If Instagram says your Facebook account cannot be found, make sure you are using the correct Facebook login information. Check that your Facebook account is active and not disabled. If your Facebook account was deactivated, you will need to reactivate it before linking.
If the link worked but posts are not showing up on Facebook, check that you selected Facebook as a sharing destination when you created the post. Posts created before linking will not automatically appear on Facebook — only new posts you create after linking can be shared. Also check that you have permission to post on the Facebook page or profile you selected.
Business accounts versus personal accounts
Instagram business accounts and personal accounts can both link to Facebook, but business accounts unlock more features. A business account can link to a Facebook business page, which lets you see combined analytics for both platforms, run ads through Facebook's ad manager, and use features like Instagram Shopping.
Personal accounts can link to a personal Facebook profile or a Facebook page, but you will not see the same analytics or advertising tools. If you run a business or sell products, converting your Instagram account to a business account before linking gives you access to more useful features.
To convert your Instagram account to a business account, go to Settings and Privacy, tap Account Type and Tools, and select Switch to Professional Account. Choose Business as your account type. You will need to connect to a Facebook page during this process, which happens before the linking step described earlier in this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I link Instagram to multiple Facebook accounts?
No. One Instagram account can only link to one Facebook account at a time. If you need to share to multiple Facebook pages, you can manage multiple pages from a single Facebook account, and Instagram will let you choose which page to post to when you share.
What if I forgot my Facebook password?
You will need to reset your Facebook password before you can link. Go to Facebook.com, click Forgot Password on the login screen, and follow the steps to reset it. Once your password is reset, try linking Instagram to Facebook again.
Does linking Instagram to Facebook cost money?
No. Linking the accounts is free. You do not pay to connect them or to cross-post content. If you use Facebook's advertising tools after linking, those ads cost money, but the linking itself has no cost.
Will my Instagram followers see my Facebook posts?
No. When you share an Instagram post to Facebook, only your Facebook friends or page followers see it on Facebook. Your Instagram followers only see it on Instagram unless they also follow you on Facebook. The two audiences stay separate.
Can I schedule posts to both platforms at once?
On the Instagram app, you can schedule a post to Instagram and choose to also share it to Facebook at the same time. Both will post at the scheduled time. On Instagram.com, scheduling is only available for business accounts, and the same cross-posting option works there too.