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, nowhere. This is intentional and makes your account safer. But you can reset your password at any time, even if you remember the old one, and the reset takes about two minutes. If you are locked out of your account, the reset process is the same.
The fastest way is through the Instagram login page on your phone or computer. You do not need to know your old password. You will need access to either the email address or phone number connected to your Instagram account.
Key Takeaways
- Go to the Instagram login page, tap "Forgot password?", and enter your username, email, or phone number to start a reset.
- Instagram sends a reset link to your email or a code to your phone — use whichever method you set up when you created the account.
- If you cannot access the email or phone number on file, you can upload a photo ID to prove you own the account and unlock it.
- The reset link expires after a few hours, so complete the process soon after you request it.
- If you are locked out and cannot remember your username, search for your account by name in the Instagram app to find it.
Reset your password from the login page
Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to the login screen. Below the password field, you will see "Forgot password?" in smaller text. Tap or click it.
Instagram will ask you to enter your username, the email address on your account, or the phone number on your account. Type whichever one you remember. Then tap "Find Account" or the equivalent button.
Instagram will show you a preview of the account — the profile picture and username — so you can confirm it is yours. If it is not, go back and try a different username or email. If it is correct, tap "Next" or "Continue".
Choose how to receive your reset link
Instagram will offer you two ways to reset your password: through email or through text message (SMS). You will see both options only if you added both an email and a phone number to your account when you set it up.
Choose whichever one you still have access to. If you only see one option, that is the only contact method on file. Tap it and Instagram will send you a reset link (by email) or a six-digit code (by text).
Check your email inbox or text messages within a few minutes. The reset link works for a few hours, so do not wait days to use it. If you do not see the email or text, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes reset messages get filtered there by mistake.
Create your new password
If you received an email, open it and tap the link inside. If you received a text, go back to the Instagram page and enter the six-digit code where it asks for it.
Either way, Instagram will take you to a page where you can type a new password. Make it something you have not used before and something you do not use on other websites. Instagram will ask you to type it twice to make sure there are no typos.
Tap "Reset Password" or "Change Password" when you are done. Instagram will confirm the change and take you back to the login page. Log in with your username and new password.
If you cannot access your email or phone number
If the email address or phone number on your account no longer works — you changed providers, lost the phone, or the email was hacked — you can still reset your password by uploading a photo ID. This takes longer than the email or text method, but it works.
On the password reset page, after you enter your username, look for a link that says "Can't access these?" or "Need more help?" or "Try another way". Tap it. Instagram will ask you to take a photo of your ID — a driver's license, passport, or national ID card — and upload it.
Instagram reviews the ID to confirm you are the account owner. This usually takes a few hours to a day. Once they confirm, you will receive an email at a backup address (if you set one up) or you can reset your password through a new method Instagram offers.
What to do if you cannot find your account
If you cannot remember your username and the email or phone number on file no longer works, you can still search for your account by your real name. Open Instagram on your phone or computer and use the search bar at the top to look for your name or a nickname you used.
When you find your account, tap it to open the profile. Then tap the three-dot menu and select "Report a Problem" or "Get Help". Explain that you cannot log in and do not remember your username. Instagram support can help you recover the account, though it may take several days.
If you set up a backup email address or recovery email when you created the account, Instagram may be able to send a reset link there instead. Check any other email accounts you own, including old ones you might have forgotten about.
Prevent this from happening again
Once you are back in your account, add a backup email address and a phone number if you have not already. Go to Settings, tap "Account", then "Email" or "Phone Number". This gives you multiple ways to reset your password if you forget it.
Write your new password down in a safe place — a notebook in a drawer, a password manager app, or a locked file on your computer. Do not write it on a sticky note on your monitor or save it in an unencrypted document on your desktop.
If you use the same password on multiple websites, change those too. If one account is hacked, a hacker can try that password on your other accounts. A unique password for each important account — Instagram, email, banking — takes more time to remember but protects you much better.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the password reset link stay valid?
The reset link in your email usually works for a few hours. If you wait more than a day to click it, the link may expire and you will have to request a new one. Text message codes typically expire faster, sometimes within 15 minutes.
Can I reset my password if I am not logged in?
Yes. The "Forgot password?" link on the login page is designed for people who are locked out or cannot remember their password. You do not need to be logged in to use it.
What if Instagram says my account does not exist when I try to reset?
This usually means the username, email, or phone number you entered is not connected to any Instagram account. Try a different username or email address. If you created the account with a phone number you no longer have, use the email address instead, or vice versa.
Will resetting my password log me out on other devices?
Yes. When you reset your password, Instagram logs you out everywhere — on your phone, computer, tablet, and any other device where you were logged in. You will have to log back in with your new password on each device.
Can someone else reset my password without my permission?
Only if they have access to your email account or phone number. This is why it is important to keep your email password strong and enable two-factor authentication on your email account. If your email is hacked, someone can reset your Instagram password and lock you out.