Change your email in Instagram settings on any device
To change the email Instagram has on file for your account, open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information. You will see your current email listed. Tap it, enter your new email address, and Instagram will send a confirmation link to that new address. Click the link in that email to finish the change.
The process is the same whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer. If you are on a computer, the menu icon appears in the top right corner of your profile page. On a phone, it appears at the bottom of the screen.
Instagram does not let you change your email without confirming the new one first. This protects your account — someone cannot lock you out by changing your email to theirs without your knowledge. The confirmation email arrives within a few minutes, but check your spam folder if you do not see it in your inbox.
Key Takeaways
- You change your email through Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information — not through a separate email settings page.
- Instagram sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click that link to complete the change.
- The old email remains active on your account until you confirm the new one, so you can still use it to log in during the process.
- If the confirmation email does not arrive, check your spam folder or wait a few minutes before requesting a new link.
Why you might need to change your email on Instagram
You may need to change your email if you no longer have access to the old one — for example, if your work email account was closed or you switched email providers. You might also change it to use a personal email instead of a work one, or to consolidate multiple accounts under a single email address.
Keeping your email current matters because Instagram uses it to send you security alerts, password reset links, and notifications about unusual activity on your account. If your email is outdated and someone tries to access your account, you will not receive the warning.
What happens to your old email after the change
Once you confirm your new email, Instagram removes the old one from your account. You can no longer use the old email to log in — you will need to use your username or phone number instead, or set a new password and use your new email.
The old email address becomes available for someone else to use on Instagram. This is why it matters to change your email promptly if you lose access to it — the sooner you update it, the less time the old address sits unused and vulnerable.
If you cannot access the confirmation email
Check your spam or junk folder first. Confirmation emails sometimes land there by mistake, especially if you use a corporate email filter. Search for "instagram" or "confirm" in your spam folder to find it quickly.
If the email is not in spam, wait five to ten minutes and check again. Instagram's confirmation emails usually arrive within a few minutes, but delays happen. If you still do not see it after ten minutes, go back to Settings and privacy, select Account center, then Personal information, and look for an option to resend the confirmation email. Tap that option and Instagram will send another link to the new address.
If you entered the wrong email address by mistake, you can change it again. Go back to Personal information, tap the email field, and enter the correct address. Instagram will send a new confirmation link to the corrected email.
Changing your email when you cannot log in
If you have been locked out of your Instagram account and cannot log in to change your email through settings, use the login help page instead. On the login screen, tap Need more help? or Forgot password? Instagram will ask you to enter your username or the email currently on your account. Select the option to receive help by email.
Instagram will send a password reset link to your current email address. Use that link to create a new password and log back in. Once you are logged in, follow the steps in the first section to change your email to a new one you can access.
Protecting your account when you change your email
After you change your email, take a moment to review your login activity. Go to Settings and privacy, select Account center, then Security, and look for Login activity or Where you are logged in. This shows you every device currently signed into your account. If you see a device you do not recognize, tap it and select the option to log out from that device.
You should also check your connected apps and websites. In Account center, select Apps and websites, then review what third-party services have permission to access your Instagram account. Remove any that you no longer use or do not recognize. This is especially important if you changed your email because you lost access to an old one — someone else might have gained access to that email address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use two email addresses on one Instagram account?
No. Instagram allows only one email address per account. If you want to use a different email, you must change the existing one. You cannot add a second email as a backup login method.
What if I change my email and then want to change it back?
You can change it back the same way you changed it the first time. Go to Settings and privacy, Account center, Personal information, tap your email, enter your old email address, and confirm the change when Instagram sends a link to that address.
Will changing my email log me out of Instagram?
No. Changing your email does not log you out. You stay signed in on all your devices. The new email takes effect as soon as you confirm it, but your login sessions remain active.
Can I change my email if I do not remember my password?
Yes. You do not need your password to change your email. Go to Settings and privacy, Account center, Personal information, and tap your email. Instagram will send a confirmation link to your new email address without asking for your password.
What if someone else has access to my email account?
Change your email to a different address you control completely, then change your Instagram password when ready. Go to Settings and privacy, Account center, Security, and select Change password. Use a strong password that is different from any other account password you use.