How to create another Instagram account
You can create a second Instagram account without deleting your first one. Instagram lets you add up to five accounts on the same phone or computer, and you can switch between them without logging out and back in each time. The process takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number you haven't used on Instagram before.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer, but both routes are straightforward. You don't need a new phone number or email — you can use any email address you have access to, including one you've created specifically for this account.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to five Instagram accounts to the same phone or computer and switch between them when ready without logging out.
- Each account needs its own email address or phone number, but you can use any email you have access to, including a new one created just for this account.
- On the app, you create a new account by tapping your profile icon, then "Settings and privacy," then "Add account" at the bottom of the menu.
- On the website, you click your profile icon in the top right, select "Create accounts," and follow the signup form with a new email address.
- Once you've created the second account, you can switch between accounts by tapping or clicking your profile picture — you stay logged into both at the same time.
Creating a second account on the Instagram app
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page. At the top, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu icon) to open the settings menu.
Scroll down until you see "Settings and privacy" and tap it. Inside that menu, continue scrolling to the very bottom. You'll see "Add account" — tap that option. Instagram will show you a signup form asking for an email address or phone number, a name, a username, and a password. Use an email address you haven't connected to any other Instagram account. Once you fill in all fields, tap "Sign up" and follow any additional prompts Instagram shows you, such as confirming your email address.
After you complete signup, Instagram automatically logs you into the new account. You can now switch back to your first account by tapping your profile icon again, then tapping the username at the top of your profile. A dropdown menu appears showing all accounts you're logged into — tap the one you want to use.
Creating a second account on the Instagram website
Go to instagram.com in your web browser and log into your first account if you aren't already. Once you're logged in, click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. A dropdown menu appears with several options. Click "Create accounts" from that menu.
Instagram opens a new signup form. Enter an email address you haven't used on Instagram before, create a username, set a password, and add a name for the account. Click the "Sign up" button. You may need to confirm your email address by clicking a link Instagram sends you — check your email inbox and spam folder if you don't see it right away.
Once signup is complete, you're logged into the new account on the website. To switch between accounts, click your profile icon again and select the account name from the dropdown menu. Unlike the app, the website logs you out of one account when you switch to another, so you'll need to click the account name each time you want to change which one you're using.
What information your second account will have
Your second account starts completely separate from your first one. It has its own followers, its own posts, its own direct messages, and its own settings. The two accounts cannot see each other's private messages, and they don't automatically follow the same people.
However, both accounts are tied to the same phone number or email address you used to set up your device or computer. If you've given Instagram your phone number or email for account recovery on your first account, Instagram may suggest your second account to people searching for you, since both accounts are linked to the same device. You can control this in your second account's privacy settings by going to "Settings and privacy," then "How others can find and contact you," and adjusting who can see your account in search results.
Switching between accounts on different devices
If you want to use your second account on a different phone or computer, you log in the same way you would for any Instagram account — enter the email address or username and password you created for it. You don't need to do anything special. That device will then have access to that account.
Keep in mind that if you log into your second account on a new device, you're no longer logged into your first account on that device. You'll need to log back into your first account if you want to switch between them on that device. The "add account" feature that lets you stay logged into multiple accounts at once only works when you're adding accounts through the same device or app.
Removing a second account you no longer need
If you create a second account and later decide you don't want it, you have two options: you can straightforward log out of it on your phone or computer, or you can delete it permanently. To log out without deleting, tap your profile icon on the app, tap the username at the top, select the account you want to remove, and tap "Log out." The account still exists — you just won't be logged into it on that device.
To permanently delete an account, log into it, go to "Settings and privacy," scroll down to "Account," and select "Delete account." Instagram will ask you to confirm and may ask why you're deleting it. Once you confirm, the account and all its posts, followers, and messages are deleted permanently and cannot be recovered. You have a short window (usually 30 days) to change your mind before the deletion becomes final, but after that point there's no way to restore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same email address for two Instagram accounts?
No. Each Instagram account must have its own email address or phone number. If you try to use an email you've already connected to another account, Instagram will show an error. You can create a new email address through Gmail, Outlook, or any other email provider in a few minutes if you need one.
Will my second account show up in my followers' feeds?
No. Your second account is completely separate. Your followers on your first account won't see posts from your second account unless they also follow that account. The two accounts don't automatically follow each other or share followers.
What happens to my second account if I delete the Instagram app?
The account itself stays on Instagram's servers — deleting the app doesn't delete your account. When you reinstall the app, you can log back into both accounts using their usernames and passwords. Your posts, followers, and messages on both accounts remain unchanged.
Can I switch between accounts on Instagram's website the same way as on the app?
The process is similar but not identical. On the website, you click your profile icon and select the account you want from the dropdown menu. However, the website logs you out of one account when you switch to another, whereas the app keeps you logged into multiple accounts at once. You can stay logged into up to five accounts on the app simultaneously.
Do I need a different phone number for each account?
No. You can use the same phone number for multiple Instagram accounts, or you can use different phone numbers. What matters is that each account has either a unique email address or a unique phone number — you can't use the exact same email and phone combination for two different accounts.