The steps to change your Instagram password

Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or your profile picture on desktop), then select Settings and privacy. Choose Security and login, then tap Password. Instagram will ask you to enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Hit Change password and you're done.

The process takes about two minutes. Instagram logs you out of all other devices after you change your password, so you'll need to log back in on any phone, tablet, or computer where you use the app. This is a security feature — it means if someone else had access to your account, they lose it when you change the password.

If you're on a computer, the steps are the same: profile picture or menu, Settings and privacy, Security and login, Password. The layout looks slightly different but the buttons are in the same order.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password from Settings and privacy > Security and login > Password on either mobile or desktop.
  • Instagram requires your current password before you can set a new one, so you need to remember what it is.
  • Changing your password logs you out everywhere, so you'll need to sign back in on other devices.
  • A strong password includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid using your username or birthdate.
  • If you've forgotten your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen instead of going to Settings.

What makes a strong Instagram password

A password that's hard to guess uses at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols. Avoid passwords based on your name, username, birthdate, or anything visible in your Instagram posts or bio. Don't reuse a password you've used on other accounts — if one site gets hacked, someone could try that same password on your Instagram.

Instagram doesn't require a specific format, but the stronger your password, the harder it is for someone to break in. A phrase you'll remember — like "MyDog8AteMyShoes!" — is better than a simple word with a number at the end.

When to change your password

Change your password if you think someone else has accessed your account, if you've used the same password on multiple sites and one of those sites was hacked, or if you shared your password with someone and no longer want them to have access. You should also change it if you logged in on a public computer or a friend's device.

If you suspect someone has already broken into your account, change your password immediately, then check your login activity. Go to Settings and privacy > Security and login > Login activity to see where and when your account was accessed. If you see logins you don't recognize, change your password and consider enabling two-factor authentication for extra protection.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security

After you change your password, you can add two-factor authentication so that even if someone learns your password, they can't log in without a code from your phone. Go to Settings and privacy > Security and login > Two-factor authentication and choose whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy.

Two-factor authentication means you'll need that second code every time you log in from a new device, which takes an extra 30 seconds but makes your account much harder to break into. If you travel or log in from different places often, an authentication app is faster than waiting for text messages.

What to do if you can't access your email or phone number

If you've forgotten your password and no longer have access to the email address or phone number linked to your account, Instagram has a recovery process. On the login screen, tap Forgot password? and enter your username. Instagram will show you the email address and phone number on file — if you can access either one, you can reset your password through that route.

If you can't access any of those recovery methods, you'll need to use Instagram's account recovery form. Go to instagram.com/accounts/login/help/ and follow the prompts to verify you own the account. Instagram may ask you to upload a photo of yourself holding a code they provide, or answer security questions you set up when you created the account. This process can take several days.

Logging back in after you change your password

After you change your password, Instagram automatically logs you out of the app on all your devices. The next time you open Instagram, you'll see the login screen. Enter your username or email address and your new password. If you use Instagram on multiple devices — phone, tablet, computer — you'll need to log in on each one separately.

If you have Instagram set to remember your login on a particular device, you may not see the login screen the next time you open the app. In that case, go to Settings and privacy > Security and login > Login activity to confirm you're the only one with access, or log out manually and log back in with your new password to be sure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to change my password if I just want to log out?

No. To log out without changing your password, go to Settings and privacy > Security and login > Login activity and tap "Log out of all sessions" or log out from individual devices. Changing your password is only necessary if you want to prevent someone else from accessing your account.

What if I forget my new password right after changing it?

Use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen. Instagram will send a reset link to your email address or phone number. You don't need to remember your old password to reset it — you only need access to your recovery email or phone number.

Can I change my password on Instagram's website instead of the app?

Yes. The steps are identical on instagram.com. Log in, go to your profile, click the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Security and login, then Password. The process works the same way on desktop as it does on mobile.

Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?

No. Changing your password only changes how you log in. All your photos, videos, messages, followers, and account history stay exactly as they are. The only thing that changes is that you'll be logged out of other devices.

How often should I change my Instagram password?

There's no set rule. Change it if you think your account is at risk, if you've reused the password elsewhere, or if you haven't changed it in over a year. If you use a strong, unique password and have two-factor authentication on, you don't need to change it frequently.