How to change your Instagram password
You can change your Instagram password through the app or on a web browser. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and privacy, then Account, then Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice. Tap Change password at the bottom. On a computer, the steps are the same but you use your mouse instead of tapping.
The new password takes effect immediately. You will stay logged in on the device you used to make the change, but Instagram will log you out on all other devices and apps within a few minutes. If you use Instagram on your phone, tablet, and computer, you will need to log back in on the ones where you got logged out.
Key Takeaways
- You change your password through Settings and privacy, then Account, then Password — not through a separate security page.
- Instagram logs you out of all other devices after you change your password, so have your new password written down before you start.
- If you forget your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen instead of trying to change it from inside the app.
- A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is at least 8 characters long.
What to do if you forgot your current password
If you cannot remember your current password, you cannot change it from inside the app — Instagram requires you to enter the old one first. Instead, go to the Instagram login page on a web browser and tap Forgot password? Enter your username or email address, and Instagram will send you a link to reset it.
Click the link in the email within a few hours. You will be taken to a page where you can create a new password without entering the old one. After you set the new password, log back in on all your devices.
How to make a password Instagram will accept
Instagram requires passwords to be at least 8 characters long. The strongest passwords mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % ^ & *. Avoid using your name, username, or words that appear in a dictionary, because those are easier to guess.
Do not reuse a password you have used on other websites or apps. If one site gets hacked, a person with your password could try it on Instagram and other accounts. A password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or the one built into your phone can store strong passwords so you do not have to remember them.
What happens after you change your password
Instagram logs you out everywhere except the device you used to make the change. This usually happens within a few minutes. If you use Instagram on multiple devices, you will see a login screen on the ones where you got logged out. Enter your username and new password to log back in.
If you see a login screen on a device you do not recognize, or if you did not change your password yourself, change it again immediately and then check your account security. Go to Settings and privacy, then Security, then Login activity to see where you have been logged in.
Changing your password on a computer versus a phone
The process is nearly identical on a computer and a phone. On a phone, open the Instagram app, tap your profile picture in the bottom right, tap the menu icon (three lines), tap Settings and privacy, tap Account, then tap Password. On a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile picture in the top right, click Settings, click Account in the left menu, then click Password.
Some people find it easier to use a computer because the screen is larger and you can see what you are typing more clearly. Either way works, and the password change takes effect on both at the same time.
If you think someone else has your password
Change your password right away, even if you are not sure. Use a password you have never used before on any other account. Then go to Settings and privacy, Security, Login activity to see all the places where someone is logged into your account. If you see a location or device you do not recognize, tap it and select Log out.
If you cannot log in because someone changed your password, use the Forgot password? link on the login page to reset it. Instagram will send a link to the email address connected to your account. If the person who took over your account changed that email address too, you will need to use Instagram's account recovery form, which asks you to verify your identity with a photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?
No. Changing your password only changes how you log in. All your photos, messages, followers, and account history stay exactly the same. The only thing that changes is that you get logged out on other devices.
Can I change my password on someone else's phone?
Yes, but you will log yourself out on that phone as soon as you change it. If you need to stay logged in there, change your password on a different device instead. If you are trying to lock someone else out of your account, change your password and then check Login activity to remove them.
How often should I change my password?
You do not need to change it on a schedule. Change it if you think someone knows it, if you used the same password on another site that got hacked, or if you have not changed it in over a year. A strong unique password that only you know is more important than how often you change it.
What if I change my password and still cannot log in?
Wait a few minutes — Instagram sometimes takes time to sync the change across its servers. If you still cannot log in after 10 minutes, try resetting your password again using the Forgot password? link. If that does not work, contact Instagram through the app by going to Settings and privacy, Help, then Report a problem.