Change your email through Instagram settings on any device

Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right, then tap Settings and privacy. Select Account center, then Personal information, then Account ownership and control. Tap Email address and enter your new email. Instagram will send a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses — you must click the link in the new email to complete the change.

On a computer, the path is the same: go to your profile, click the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Account ownership and control, then Email address. Type your new email and confirm through both emails as above.

The entire process takes a few minutes. Your password does not change, and you can still log in with your username or old email until the new one is fully confirmed.

Key Takeaways

  • Instagram sends confirmation links to both your old and new email addresses, and you must click the link in the new email to finish the change.
  • You can change your email from the Account center under Personal information, available on both phone and computer.
  • Your Instagram username and password stay the same — only the email address associated with your account changes.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you may need to contact Instagram support to verify your identity before changing it.
  • The new email takes effect immediately after you confirm it, and you can then use it to log in or reset your password.

What happens if you cannot access your old email

If you have changed email providers or lost access to the old address, you cannot complete the confirmation step on your own. Instagram requires verification from both addresses to prevent unauthorized changes.

Contact Instagram support through the app: go to Settings and privacy, then Help, then Report a problem. Describe that you cannot access your old email and need to update it. Instagram will ask you to verify your identity — usually by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions you set up when you created the account. This process can take several days.

Changing email when you share an account

If multiple people log into the same Instagram account, changing the email affects everyone. Whoever changes it will receive password reset links and account notifications at the new address, so coordinate with other users first.

If you want separate accounts instead, each person should create their own Instagram profile with their own email. You can still follow each other and share content without sharing login credentials.

Why Instagram asks you to confirm twice

The dual confirmation — one link to your old email, one to your new — protects your account from being hijacked. If someone gains access to your Instagram password but not your email, they cannot lock you out by changing the email address without your approval.

This is why you should keep your email account secure and check it regularly. If you see a confirmation email you did not request, do not click the link, and change your Instagram password immediately.

Using a new email before confirming the old one

You cannot use the new email to log into Instagram until you click the confirmation link in that email. Until then, you can still log in with your username or old email and password.

If you accidentally close the confirmation email or delete it, go back to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Account ownership and control, then Email address. You can request a new confirmation link without starting over.

What to do if the confirmation link expires

Instagram confirmation links typically work for 24 hours. If you wait longer than that, the link stops working. Return to the email settings and request a new confirmation link — Instagram will send fresh links to both addresses.

If you are having trouble receiving emails from Instagram, check your spam or junk folder. Add noreply@instagram.com to your contacts so future emails land in your inbox.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my email without confirming the old one?

No. Instagram requires you to confirm both the old and new email addresses to prevent account takeovers. If you cannot access the old email, contact Instagram support and be ready to verify your identity with a photo ID or security questions.

Will changing my email log me out of Instagram?

No. You stay logged in on all your devices. The email change does not affect your password or active sessions — it only updates which email address is tied to your account for password resets and notifications.

What if I typed the new email wrong?

If you have not clicked the confirmation link yet, go back to email settings and change it again before confirming. If you already confirmed the wrong email, you will need to change it a second time using the correct address.

Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?

No. Each Instagram account must have its own unique email address. If you try to use an email already tied to another account, Instagram will reject it and ask you to use a different one.

How do I know the confirmation email is real?

Real Instagram emails come from noreply@instagram.com or mail.instagram.com. They contain a link to instagram.com, not a suspicious third-party site. If you did not request the email, do not click any links — change your password instead.