How to change your email on Instagram
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 and enter your new email address. Instagram will send a confirmation link to that new address — click it within 24 hours to complete the change. Your old email stops working for Instagram login after you confirm.
If you're on a computer, the steps are 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. Type your new address and confirm it the same way.
Key Takeaways
- You must confirm your new email within 24 hours of requesting the change, or Instagram will cancel it and you'll need to start over.
- Your old email address stops working for login as soon as you confirm the new one, so make sure you have access to the new address before you start.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, you can use your phone number or username to log in instead while you make the change.
- Changing your email does not affect your password, two-factor authentication settings, or any of your account data.
What happens if you don't confirm within 24 hours
Instagram automatically cancels the email change if you don't click the confirmation link within 24 hours. You'll need to request the change again from Settings and privacy. The 24-hour window starts the moment you enter your new email address and Instagram sends the confirmation message.
If the confirmation email doesn't arrive, check your spam or junk folder first. If it's not there, go back to Settings and privacy and request the change again — Instagram will send a new confirmation link.
Changing your email when you can't access the old one
If you no longer have access to the email address currently linked to your account, you can still change it. Log in using your username and password instead of your email. Once you're logged in, follow the same steps: Settings and privacy, Account center, Personal information, Account ownership and control, Email. Enter your new email and confirm it.
If you can't remember your password either, use the "Forgot password?" option on the login screen. Instagram will send a reset link to your old email address or to a phone number you've added to your account. If neither of those works, you may need to use Instagram's account recovery process, which asks you to verify your identity through photos or other information.
Why Instagram asks you to confirm your email
The confirmation step protects your account from unauthorized changes. If someone gains access to your password, they could try to change your email to lock you out. By requiring you to click a link in the new email address, Instagram makes sure you actually own that address and can receive messages there.
This is also why you should keep your recovery email or phone number up to date — they're your backup way to get back into your account if you forget your password or lose access to your main email.
What to do if you accidentally entered the wrong email
If you typed the wrong email address and haven't confirmed it yet, you can request a new change immediately. Go back to Settings and privacy, Account center, Personal information, Account ownership and control, Email, and enter the correct address. Instagram will send a new confirmation link to the correct address.
If you already confirmed the wrong email, you'll need to change it again using the same process. Log in with your username and password, go to Settings and privacy, and enter your actual email address. Confirm it within 24 hours.
Keeping your email secure after the change
After you change your email, make sure you're the only person who can access it. If your email account uses a weak password or doesn't have two-factor authentication turned on, add those protections now. Your email is the key to resetting your Instagram password, so securing it protects your Instagram account too.
Consider also updating your Instagram password after changing your email, especially if you think someone else may have seen your old email address or password. You can change your password in the same Settings and privacy menu under Password.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 that's already linked to another account, Instagram will reject it. You'll need a different email for each account you want to create.
Does changing my email affect my password or login method?
No. Your password stays the same, and you can still log in with your username if you prefer. Two-factor authentication and any other security settings remain unchanged. Only the email address linked to your account is updated.
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
It's instant once you click the confirmation link in the email Instagram sends you. You don't need to wait for anything else to happen — you can start using your new email to log in right away.
What if I change my email but then want to change it back?
You can change it back anytime using the same process. Go to Settings and privacy, Account center, Personal information, Account ownership and control, Email, and enter your old email address. Confirm it within 24 hours, and you're done.