Why Instagram asks for an email address
Instagram uses your email address for two practical reasons: to let you back into your account if you forget your password, and to send you notifications about activity on your account. When you first sign up, Instagram may let you use only a phone number, but adding an email gives you a second way to recover access if your phone number changes or becomes unavailable.
The email address you add does not have to be the same one you used to create the account. You can change it later, and Instagram will not publicly display it on your profile — only you and Instagram can see it. This is different from your username, which appears on your profile for anyone to find.
Key Takeaways
- You can add or change your email address in Instagram's settings under "Account," not in your profile section.
- Instagram will send a confirmation link to the new email address, and you must click it before the change takes effect.
- If you no longer have access to an old email address, you can remove it without confirming it first by using the "Remove" option.
- The email address you add is private and will not appear on your public profile, but Instagram uses it to contact you about account security and activity.
How to add an email on the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) in the top right, and select "Settings and privacy." Tap "Account," then "Email address."
Type the email address you want to add. Instagram will send a confirmation link to that address. Go to your email inbox, find the message from Instagram, and click the link inside it. Once you click the link, the email address is now connected to your Instagram account. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder.
How to add an email on Instagram's website
Log into Instagram.com on a computer or phone browser. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Settings." On the left side, click "Account," then find "Email address" in the list.
Type the new email address and click "Next." Instagram sends a confirmation link to that address. Open your email, find the message from Instagram, and click the link. The address is now saved to your account. You can close the Instagram window while you wait for the email — it may take a few minutes to arrive.
What to do if you cannot access the old email address
If you are trying to change your email but no longer have access to the old one, you do not need to confirm the old address first. Go to your email settings, find the current email address listed, and tap or click "Remove." Instagram will let you remove it without sending a confirmation to that address.
Once the old email is removed, you can add a new one using the steps above. If you are locked out of your Instagram account entirely and cannot reach the email on file, you can use the "Need more help?" option on the login screen to tell Instagram you no longer have access to that email. Instagram will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number or a photo before letting you back in.
How to change your email address
Changing your email is the same process as adding one: go to Settings, find Email address, and type the new address. Instagram sends a confirmation link to the new address. Click the link, and the change is complete. Your old email address is automatically replaced.
You can change your email as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can update it, and Instagram does not notify anyone else when you make the change — it is a private account setting.
What happens if you do not add an email address
Instagram does not require an email address to use your account. If you signed up with only a phone number, your account works fine without one. However, if you lose access to that phone number, you will have no way to reset your password or recover your account unless you added an email later.
Adding an email takes less than a minute and gives you a backup way to get back in if something happens to your phone number. It is not mandatory, but it is a practical safety step, especially if your phone number might change in the future.
Where Instagram sends emails from your account settings
Once you add an email address, Instagram uses it to send you messages about your account security, such as notifications when someone logs in from a new device, password changes, or unusual activity. You can control which of these emails you receive by going to Settings, then "Notifications," then "Email," where you can turn different types of emails on or off.
Instagram also uses your email to send you activity summaries, messages from people you follow, and reminders about posts you may have missed — but only if you have those notifications turned on. The email address itself is never shared with other users or third parties, and it does not appear anywhere on your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?
Yes, you can use one email address for more than one Instagram account. Each account can have the same email, and Instagram will not prevent you from doing this. However, if you forget the password on one account, resetting it through email will only work for one account at a time.
What if I typed my email wrong?
If you typed the email incorrectly and did not click the confirmation link, go back to your email settings and type the correct address. The old incorrect address will not be saved because you never confirmed it. If you already confirmed an incorrect email, remove it and add the correct one instead.
Does Instagram sell my email address to advertisers?
Instagram does not sell your email address to third parties. Your email is used only for account recovery and notifications from Instagram itself. Advertisers on Instagram cannot see your email address. Instagram's parent company, Meta, does use your account activity to show you targeted ads, but that is separate from your email.
Can I hide my email address from Instagram?
Your email address is always private on Instagram — it never appears on your profile or in search results. Only you and Instagram can see it. If you want to stop receiving emails from Instagram, you can turn off email notifications in your settings instead of removing the email address itself.