Creating an Instagram account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number

You can register for Instagram through the mobile app or a web browser. Either way, you'll need to provide a username, password, and some basic information about yourself. Instagram will ask for your real name, but you can use a different display name if you want. Once you submit your information, your account is active when ready — you don't need to wait for approval or confirmation.

The process is the same whether you're signing up on iPhone, Android, or a computer. The main difference is that the mobile app is slightly faster because it can pull some information from your phone automatically, like your contacts and profile picture.

Key Takeaways

  • You need either an email address or a phone number to create an account, plus a password and a username.
  • Your real name and display name can be different — Instagram shows your display name publicly unless you change your privacy settings.
  • Instagram will ask permission to access your contacts and location, but you can skip these steps without affecting your account.
  • Your account is ready to use when ready after you finish the signup form.
  • You can change your username, email, phone number, and display name anytime in your settings after you register.

Step-by-step registration on the Instagram mobile app

Open the Instagram app and tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. Enter your email address or phone number in the first field. Instagram will send you a confirmation code — check your email inbox or text messages and enter that code into the app.

Next, you'll enter your full name as Instagram knows it. This doesn't have to match your display name. Then create a username — this is what other people will see and use to find you. Usernames must be between 3 and 30 characters and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Instagram will tell you if your chosen username is already taken.

Create a password that's at least 6 characters long. Instagram recommends mixing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, though it doesn't require them. After you enter your password, tap "Next" and your account is created.

Completing your profile after registration

After you create your account, Instagram will ask you to add a profile picture and write a bio. Both are optional — you can skip them and add them later. If you want to add a photo now, you can take one with your camera or choose one from your phone's photo library.

Your bio is a short text section where you can describe yourself or your account in up to 150 characters. You can also add a website link here if you have one. These details are visible to anyone who visits your profile, so think about what you want to share publicly.

Instagram will also ask permission to access your contacts and location. You can allow or skip both of these. If you allow access to contacts, Instagram can suggest people you might know. Location access lets you tag your posts with where you were when you posted them, but you can turn this off anytime.

Registering through a web browser

Go to instagram.com and click "Create a new account" on the login page. Enter your email address or phone number, then wait for the confirmation code. The steps are identical to the app version — you'll enter your name, choose a username, create a password, and then your account is ready.

On a computer, you won't be able to add a profile picture during signup. You'll need to do that after you log in by going to your profile and clicking "Edit profile." The web version is useful if you're registering on a device that doesn't have the Instagram app installed, or if you prefer typing on a keyboard.

What information Instagram collects during registration

When you register, Instagram collects your email address or phone number, your name, your username, your password, and your date of birth (if you provide it). The company also collects information about your device — what kind of phone or computer you're using, your operating system, and your IP address. This happens automatically when you connect to Instagram's servers.

If you allow Instagram to access your contacts, it will read the phone numbers and email addresses stored on your device. If you allow location access, Instagram will collect your approximate location whenever you use the app. You can change these permissions anytime in your phone's settings, even after you've registered.

Instagram also tracks which features you use, how long you spend on the app, and what content you interact with. This data helps Instagram recommend posts and accounts to you, and it's also used to show you targeted advertisements. You can learn more about how Instagram uses this information in your account settings under "Ads and businesses."

Changing your registration information after signup

You can change almost everything you entered during registration. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select "Settings and privacy." From there, tap "Account information" to change your email, phone number, username, or password.

To change your display name or bio, go to your profile and tap "Edit profile." You can update these as many times as you want. If you want to change your username, keep in mind that your old username will become available for someone else to use after you change it.

If you want to delete your account entirely, you can do that in Settings under "Help" and then "Delete account." Instagram will ask you to confirm your password and give you a reason for leaving. Your account will be permanently deleted after 30 days, but during those 30 days you can log back in to cancel the deletion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register for Instagram without a phone number or email?

No. Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create an account. You can't sign up with just a username and password. If you don't want to use your personal email, you can create a free email account through Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo and use that instead.

What happens if someone else already has the username I want?

Instagram will show you a message saying that username is taken. You'll need to choose a different one. You can try adding numbers, periods, or underscores to your preferred name — for example, if "jane_smith" is taken, you could try "jane_smith_2024" or "jane.smith." You can always change your username later if a better one becomes available.

Do I have to use my real name on Instagram?

You have to enter a name during registration, but it doesn't have to be your legal name. Many people use nicknames, business names, or creative names instead. Your display name is what shows on your profile, and you can change it anytime. Your real name field is separate and can be different from your username.

Is my password stored safely after I register?

Instagram stores passwords using encryption, which means the company can't see your actual password — only a scrambled version of it. When you log in, Instagram checks that the password you enter matches the encrypted version on file. Never share your password with anyone, and don't use the same password on Instagram that you use for other important accounts like email or banking.

Can I register multiple Instagram accounts with the same email address?

No. Each email address or phone number can only be connected to one Instagram account. If you want to manage multiple accounts, you'll need a different email address for each one. After you create the first account, you can add other email addresses to it in your settings, but you can't use those emails to create separate accounts.