You can change your birth date on Instagram through your account settings, but Instagram limits how often you can make the change

To change your age on Instagram, open the app and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then select Settings and privacy. Choose Account information, then tap Personal information. Select Birth date and enter your correct date of birth. Instagram will save the change immediately.

The catch: Instagram only lets you change your birth date once every 60 days. If you've already made a change recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again. This limit exists to prevent people from repeatedly changing their age to bypass Instagram's age-based restrictions.

If you entered a fake birth date when you created your account years ago and now want to fix it, you may have to wait until the 60-day window opens. There's no way to speed this up or request an exception through Instagram's support system.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings and privacy > Account information > Personal information > Birth date to change your age on Instagram.
  • Instagram only permits one birth date change every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to update it.
  • Your birth date controls whether Instagram shows you age-restricted content and ads, so accuracy matters.
  • If you can't change your birth date because of the 60-day limit, you'll need to wait until the window reopens.

Why Instagram limits birth date changes

Instagram restricts how often you can change your birth date because the platform uses it to enforce age-based rules. Users under 18 see different ads and cannot access certain features like the ability to make their account a creator account. Users under 13 are not supposed to have Instagram accounts at all, though the platform relies on self-reported age to enforce this.

The 60-day limit prevents people from repeatedly lowering their age to hide from parental controls or raising it to bypass content restrictions. It's a blunt tool, but it's the mechanism Instagram uses to keep the system from being gamed constantly.

What happens if you entered the wrong age when you signed up

If you created your account years ago and put in a random birth date because you didn't want to share your real one, you're stuck with the 60-day rule now. Instagram doesn't have a separate process for "correcting" an old mistake versus changing a recent one—the same limit applies either way.

Your best option is to wait for the 60-day window to open, then change it to your actual birth date. If you're under 18 and your account is currently set to an older age, changing it will trigger Instagram to re-evaluate what content and features you can access, which may restrict some things you've been using.

Changing your age on Instagram through a web browser

You can also change your birth date using Instagram's website instead of the app. Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Settings. Choose Personal information and select Birth date. Enter your new date and save the change.

The process is the same whether you use the app or the website, and the 60-day limit applies either way. Changing it on one platform doesn't reset the timer on the other—Instagram tracks the change across all devices.

What to do if you can't change your birth date yet

If you see a message saying you can't change your birth date for another 30 days (or however many remain), you have to wait. Instagram doesn't offer exceptions to this rule, and contacting support won't speed it up. Make a note of when you'll be able to change it again and try back then.

In the meantime, if your current age is causing problems—for example, you're under 18 but your account says you're 25—you can contact Instagram support to report the issue. They may be able to help in specific cases, though they typically direct people to wait for the 60-day window. Be honest about why your age is wrong; support is more likely to help if you explain that you entered a fake date as a teenager.

How your birth date affects your Instagram experience

Your birth date controls more than just what ads you see. Instagram uses it to determine whether you can access certain creator features, whether your account can be a business account, and what content recommendations you receive. If your birth date says you're 14 but you're actually 24, you may be locked out of features you should have access to.

Conversely, if your account says you're older than you actually are, you may see ads and content that aren't appropriate for your age. Keeping your birth date accurate helps Instagram show you relevant content and features for your actual age group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my birth date more than once every 60 days?

No. Instagram enforces a strict 60-day limit between birth date changes. Once you change it, you cannot change it again until 60 days have passed. There is no way to request an exception or speed up this process.

What if I'm under 18 and need to change my age?

Follow the same steps as anyone else: go to Settings > Account information > Personal information > Birth date. The 60-day limit still applies. If you're under 13, Instagram's terms of service say you shouldn't have an account, but the platform doesn't actively verify ages.

Will changing my birth date affect my followers or posts?

No. Changing your birth date does not delete or hide any of your posts, followers, or account history. It only changes what features and content you can access going forward, and what ads Instagram shows you.

Can I change my birth date if I forgot my password?

You'll need to reset your password first. Go to the Instagram login page, tap "Forgot password?", and follow the steps to regain access to your account. Once you're logged back in, you can change your birth date through Settings.

What if Instagram won't let me change my birth date at all?

This usually means you've hit the 60-day limit. Check the message Instagram shows you—it will tell you exactly when you can change it again. If you're seeing a different error, try logging out and back in, or use a different device. If the problem persists, contact Instagram support through the app.