Managing multiple Instagram accounts on one device

Up to five Instagram accounts can be used on one phone at the same time, without logging out. Switching between them works by tapping the profile picture; a second account can be created from the existing one in a few steps.

When are several accounts useful?

• For separate personal and work accounts (company, club, business).
• When a hobby (for example photography or crafts) needs its own profile.
• When a public creator account is needed alongside a private one.
• For a parent who wants to see a child's account on their own phone; parental supervision is the better solution for this, though: Instagram Teen Accounts and parental supervision.

Adding an existing account

1. In the app, tap the profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the account's own username at the top; the account list opens.
3. Choose to add an Instagram account, then to log in to an existing account.
4. Enter the other account's username (or email address or phone number) and password, then log in.
5. From then on, the added account appears in the account list. The same option can also be reached from the bottom of the settings menu.

Google Play App Store

Creating a new, second account

The easiest way to create a new account is from an account that is already logged in: there is no need to log out or to enter a phone number again.

1. Tap the profile picture, then the username at the top.
2. Choose to add an Instagram account, then to create a new account.
3. Enter the new username and a password.
4. The app offers to create the new account with the existing account's details (email address, phone number) and linked in Accounts Center. If the two accounts need to stay completely separate, enter a different email address or phone number.
5. Sign-up finishes with the usual steps: Creating an Instagram account step by step.

Switching between accounts

• Profile picture: tapping the profile picture at the bottom right, then the username at the top, shows the account list; tap the account needed.
• Quick switch: pressing and holding the profile picture at the bottom right shows the account list directly. On Android, double-tapping the profile picture switches to the next account.
• Which account is active: the username at the top of the profile shows it. It is worth checking before posting, commenting or sending messages.
• Notifications: notifications for every added account appear on the phone, with the account name. Notifications for one account can be turned off separately in the settings.
• In a browser: on Instagram on the web, accounts can also be switched from the menu at the bottom left (More), using the switch accounts option.

Linking accounts in Accounts Center

Adding accounts to a device and linking them in Accounts Center are two different things. Accounts added to a device can only be used without logging out on that phone. Accounts linked in Accounts Center (accountscenter.instagram.com), however, can share settings and can also log each other in.

• Advantage: several accounts are available with one login, and the password, two-factor authentication and some settings are managed in one place.
• Risk: if one account is hacked, the others may also be at risk. A business account or one managed jointly with others should not be linked to a personal account.
• Visibility: linking does not make it public that the accounts belong to the same person, but in some suggestions (for example people suggestions) the connection between the accounts may influence whom Instagram shows.
• Unlinking: an account can be removed from Accounts Center at any time; this does not delete it.
• Meta account: in April 2026, Meta announced that Accounts Center would gradually become the Meta account within a year. Several separate Meta accounts can be kept there too, for example one for a personal profile and one for a work profile.

Removing an account from the device

1. Open the settings (with the menu icon at the top right of the profile).
2. Scroll to the bottom of the menu and choose to log out.
3. If there are several accounts on the device, choose which one (or all of them) to log out of.
4. Logging out only removes the account from this device; the account itself remains. For permanent deletion: Temporarily deactivating or permanently deleting an Instagram account.

Common problems

• No more accounts can be added: up to five accounts can be logged in on one device at the same time. One has to be logged out before a new one can be added.
• The password reset code goes to an unexpected account: if several accounts use the same phone number or email address, the right account has to be selected during the reset. It is best to set a separate email address for each account.
• A post or message was sent from the wrong account: the post can be deleted or archived, and a sent message can be unsent. To prevent this, check the current username at the top of the profile.
• After switching, one account asks for the password again: this happens after a password change or a security check. Simply log in to that account again.