Why and How to Separate Your Instagram and Facebook Accounts
When you link your Instagram account to Facebook, the two platforms share login credentials and can cross-post content between them. Disconnecting them stops this sharing and means you log into each account separately. You might want to do this if you use Instagram and Facebook for different audiences, if you want to control what posts appear on each platform independently, or if you are planning to deactivate one account without affecting the other.
The disconnection process takes about two minutes and happens entirely within Instagram's settings. Your Instagram account itself stays active — you are only removing the link to Facebook. After you disconnect, you will still be able to log into Instagram with your Instagram username and password, and Facebook will remain separate.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnecting Instagram from Facebook stops automatic cross-posting and shared logins, but does not delete either account.
- You can disconnect from Instagram's settings menu under "Accounts Center" or "Connected Apps," depending on your device and app version.
- After disconnecting, you log into Instagram and Facebook separately using their own usernames and passwords.
- Any posts you already shared to both platforms will remain on both — disconnecting only stops future automatic sharing.
- You can reconnect the accounts later if you change your mind, using the same settings menu.
Steps to Disconnect on iPhone or Android
Open the Instagram app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings and privacy, then scroll down and tap Accounts Center. If you do not see Accounts Center, tap Settings instead, then look for Connected apps or Apps and websites.
Once you are in Accounts Center, tap Accounts at the top. You will see a list of your connected accounts — tap Facebook. On the next screen, tap Remove account or Disconnect. Instagram will ask you to confirm. Tap Remove or Confirm to finish. The disconnection is when ready.
If the menu structure looks different on your phone, Instagram may have updated the app recently. The core path is always: Settings → Accounts Center (or Connected Apps) → Facebook → Remove or Disconnect. If you get stuck, try searching "disconnect Facebook" within the Settings menu — Instagram includes a search function.
Steps to Disconnect on a Computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left of the screen. Click Settings and privacy, then click Accounts Center. If that option does not appear, click Settings and look for Apps and websites instead.
Click Accounts at the top of the Accounts Center page. Find Facebook in the list and click it. Click Remove account or Disconnect. Instagram will ask you to confirm the removal. Click Remove to complete the disconnection.
What Happens After You Disconnect
Your Instagram account remains active and unchanged. You will log in using your Instagram username (or the email address linked to Instagram) and your Instagram password. Facebook also remains active and separate — you log into it independently. Any posts you previously shared to both platforms stay on both platforms; disconnecting only stops future automatic sharing.
If you had Instagram set to automatically post to Facebook, those automatic posts will stop. If you want to share a post to Facebook after disconnecting, you will need to do it manually by opening Facebook separately and posting there, or by using Facebook's own sharing tools.
Reconnecting Instagram and Facebook Later
If you change your mind, you can reconnect the accounts using the same settings menu. Go to Accounts Center (or Connected Apps), find the option to add or connect an account, and select Facebook. You will need to log into Facebook to authorize the connection again. The process is the same whether you are on a phone or computer.
Reconnecting does not restore old automatic posts or change anything that happened while the accounts were disconnected. It straightforward turns the link back on for future posts and logins.
If You Want to Deactivate One Account Instead
Disconnecting the accounts is different from deactivating or deleting one of them. If you want to keep Instagram but get rid of Facebook entirely, you can deactivate or delete your Facebook account without affecting Instagram — as long as you disconnect them first. Deactivating temporarily hides your Facebook profile; deleting removes it permanently after 30 days.
If you deactivate or delete Facebook while it is still connected to Instagram, you may lose access to your Instagram account or have trouble logging in, depending on how you originally set up Instagram. Always disconnect first, then handle the Facebook account separately.
Troubleshooting Connection Problems
If you cannot find Accounts Center or Connected Apps in your settings, make sure you are using the latest version of the Instagram app. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Instagram, and tap Update if an update is available. Restart the app after updating.
If the disconnect button is grayed out or not responding, try logging out of Instagram completely, then logging back in. If that does not work, try disconnecting from a computer instead of your phone, or vice versa. If you still cannot disconnect after trying both devices and updating the app, contact Instagram through the in-app help menu by going to Settings → Help → Report a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disconnecting delete my Instagram account or my Facebook account?
No. Disconnecting only removes the link between the two accounts. Both accounts remain active and unchanged. You can still log into each one separately using their own usernames and passwords.
What happens to posts I already shared to both Instagram and Facebook?
Posts you already shared to both platforms stay on both platforms. Disconnecting only stops future automatic sharing. If you want to remove a post from one platform, you will need to delete it manually on that platform.
Can I reconnect Instagram and Facebook after I disconnect them?
Yes. You can reconnect at any time using the same Accounts Center or Connected Apps menu. You will need to log into Facebook to authorize the connection again, but reconnecting takes the same two minutes as disconnecting.
Do I need a separate password for Instagram after I disconnect?
You already have a separate Instagram password — it was created when you set up your Instagram account. After disconnecting, you straightforward log into Instagram with that password instead of using your Facebook login. If you forgot your Instagram password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Instagram login screen.
What if I only want to stop automatic posts but keep the accounts linked?
You do not need to disconnect the accounts. Instead, go to Settings → Sharing settings (or Posts) and turn off the toggle for "Share to Facebook." This stops automatic posts while keeping the accounts linked, so you can still use Facebook login if you want to.