You cannot see your current Instagram password, but you can reset it in seconds
Instagram does not show you your password anywhere — not in settings, not in email, not anywhere. This is intentional. If Instagram stored passwords in a way that employees could read them, hackers who broke into Instagram's computers could read them too. Instead, Instagram stores only a scrambled version that cannot be reversed.
The good news: you do not need to know your old password. You can reset it to something new using your email address or phone number, and you will be back in your account in minutes. If you remember your password and just want to change it for security reasons, you can do that too.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram cannot show you your password because it does not store passwords in a readable form — this protects you if Instagram is hacked.
- If you forgot your password, go to the login screen, tap "Forgot password?", and follow the reset link sent to your email or phone.
- If you remember your password but want to change it, go to Settings, tap Security, then Change Password, and enter your current password first.
- If you cannot access the email or phone number linked to your account, use the "Need more help?" option to verify your identity another way.
- Two-factor authentication makes your account harder to break into, but it also means you need access to your phone or authentication app to log back in.
Reset your password if you forgot it
Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to the login screen. Tap or click "Forgot password?" below the login button. Instagram will ask whether you want to reset using your email address, phone number, or username. Choose whichever one you have access to right now.
Instagram will send a reset link to that email or phone number. Open the link, and you will see a screen where you can type a new password. Make it something you have not used on Instagram before. Tap "Reset Password" and you will be logged back in.
The reset link usually works for a few hours. If it has expired, go back to the login screen and start over. You can request as many reset links as you need.
Change your password if you remember it
If you are already logged into Instagram and just want to change your password, you do not need the reset link. Open Instagram and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on most phones), then tap Settings and Privacy, then Settings.
Scroll down and tap Security, then tap Change Password. Instagram will ask for your current password — this is the one you remember. Type it in. Then type your new password twice and tap Change Password. You will stay logged in, and the change takes effect right away.
What to do if you cannot access your email or phone number
If you forgot your password and the email or phone number on your account is old or no longer yours, the reset link will go somewhere you cannot reach. When you request a reset link, Instagram will ask if you need more help. Tap that option.
Instagram will ask you to verify that you own the account. You may be asked to upload a photo of yourself holding your ID, or to answer security questions you set up before, or to confirm details about your account like when you created it or which devices you usually log in from. This process can take a few days.
If you set up a backup email address in your account settings before you got locked out, Instagram may send the reset link there instead. Check any email addresses you have ever linked to the account, including old work emails or family accounts.
Why Instagram does not store passwords you can see
When you create a password, Instagram runs it through a one-way scrambler called a hash function. The scrambled version is what gets stored in Instagram's database. When you log in, Instagram scrambles what you type and compares it to the stored scrambled version. If they match, you are in.
The reason for this: if a hacker breaks into Instagram's computers and steals the password database, they get only the scrambled versions. They cannot unscramble them back into real passwords. This means even a major breach does not automatically give hackers access to millions of accounts.
This also means Instagram employees cannot read your password, and neither can customer service. If someone claims to be from Instagram and asks for your password, they are lying. Instagram will never ask for your password.
Make your password stronger after you reset it
When you create a new password, use one that is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid words from the dictionary, your name, your birthday, or anything someone could guess from your Instagram posts.
Use a different password for Instagram than you use for email, banking, or other accounts. If a hacker cracks your Instagram password, you do not want them to be able to log into your bank account with the same one. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate and store strong passwords for you.
After you reset your password, turn on two-factor authentication. Go to Settings, tap Security, then tap Two-Factor Authentication. Instagram will ask you to confirm your phone number or set up an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy. From then on, anyone trying to log in — even with the correct password — will need a code from your phone or app.
Prevent lockouts by keeping your recovery information current
The easiest way to avoid being locked out is to make sure Instagram can reach you. Go to Settings, tap Account, then tap Email or Phone Number. Make sure the email address is one you check regularly and the phone number is one you still own. If you have changed either one, update it now.
You can add a backup email address too. Go to Settings, tap Account, then tap Additional Email Address. If your main email gets hacked or you lose access to it, Instagram can send the reset link to the backup instead.
If you use two-factor authentication, save your backup codes somewhere safe — not in your Instagram account, not in a note on your phone, but in a password manager or a physical notebook in a drawer. If you lose your phone, these codes are the only way to get back in without going through the identity verification process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Instagram tell me what my password is?
No. Instagram does not store passwords in a form that can be read or recovered. Customer service cannot retrieve it, and neither can anyone else. Your only option is to reset it using the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen.
What if I get a message saying my password is wrong but I am sure it is right?
Check that Caps Lock is not on. Passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password" and "password" are different. If you are still stuck, use the "Forgot password?" link to reset it. If you keep getting locked out after resetting, Instagram may think your account is under attack — wait a few hours and try again, or use the "Need more help?" option to verify your identity.
Is it safe to use the same password for Instagram and other apps?
No. If one service gets hacked, hackers will try that password on your email, bank, and other accounts. Use a different password for each one. A password manager makes this straightforward — it remembers all of them for you.
Do I need two-factor authentication?
It is not required, but it is worth turning on if you use Instagram for business or if your account is important to you. It makes your account much harder to break into, but it also means you need your phone or an authentication app every time you log in from a new device. Decide based on how much security matters versus how much that inconvenience bothers you.
What if someone else has access to my email and keeps resetting my Instagram password?
Your email account is the master key to everything. Change your email password first, then change your Instagram password. Then go to your email settings and check what devices are logged in — sign out of any you do not recognize. If you think someone has your email password too, consider changing it from a device you know is safe, like a friend's computer or a library computer.