What happens when you connect Instagram to Facebook
When you connect an Instagram account to a Facebook page, you link the two accounts so you can manage them from one place and share content across both platforms at the same time. Facebook owns Instagram, so the connection is built into both platforms — you do not need a third-party tool.
The main things that change: you can post to Instagram and Facebook simultaneously from Facebook's creator tools, you can see Instagram messages in Facebook's message inbox, and Facebook gains access to see which Instagram account is connected to your page. Your Instagram followers do not automatically become Facebook followers, and your Instagram posts do not automatically appear on your Facebook page unless you choose to share them there.
The connection is reversible. You can disconnect Instagram from Facebook at any time, and doing so does not delete either account or change your privacy settings on either platform.
Key Takeaways
- Connecting Instagram to Facebook lets you manage both accounts from Facebook's creator tools and post to both platforms at once.
- You need a Facebook page (not a personal profile) and an Instagram account, and you must be an admin on the Facebook page to make the connection.
- The connection is made in Facebook's settings under "Instagram Accounts" and takes about two minutes to complete.
- Facebook can see that your Instagram account is connected, but your Instagram followers remain separate from your Facebook followers unless you manually share posts.
- You can disconnect Instagram from Facebook anytime without affecting either account.
What you need before you start
You need three things: a Facebook page (a business or creator page, not a personal profile), an Instagram account, and admin access to the Facebook page. If you manage the page for someone else, ask them to give you admin rights first.
Both accounts should use the same email address or phone number if possible, though Facebook will let you connect them even if they do not. If your Instagram account uses a different email than your Facebook page, you may be asked to verify your identity during the connection process.
Make sure you can access both accounts right now. You will need to log into Facebook first, then confirm the connection from Instagram. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for either account, have your phone or authentication app ready.
How to connect Instagram to your Facebook page
Log into Facebook and go to your page (not your personal profile). Click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, then scroll down and click Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Instagram Accounts.
Click Connect Instagram Account. A window will open asking you to log into Instagram. Enter your Instagram username and password. If you have two-factor authentication on, Instagram will ask for your code.
After you log in, Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to connect this account to your Facebook page. The screen will show your Instagram username and the name of your Facebook page. Click Confirm. You will be sent back to Facebook, and your Instagram account will now appear in the Instagram Accounts section.
The whole process takes about two minutes. If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, you can repeat these steps to connect a different account to the same Facebook page, or connect the same Instagram account to a different Facebook page.
What data Facebook can see after you connect
Once connected, Facebook can see that your Instagram account exists and is linked to your page. Facebook can see your Instagram username, profile picture, and bio. Facebook also sees when you post to Instagram and can access your Instagram messages through Facebook's message inbox.
Facebook does not automatically see your Instagram followers' names or contact information. However, if you use Instagram's business tools (which are owned by Facebook), Facebook already has access to some of that data through those tools. Connecting your account does not change what Facebook can see through business tools — it just makes it easier for you to manage both accounts in one place.
Your Instagram privacy settings stay the same after you connect. If your Instagram account is private, it remains private. If your account is public, it remains public. The connection does not change who can see your posts on either platform.
How to share Instagram posts to your Facebook page
After you connect your accounts, you can share Instagram posts to your Facebook page in two ways: you can set it up so posts automatically cross-post, or you can share individual posts manually.
To turn on automatic cross-posting, go to your Instagram settings, tap Account, then Sharing settings, then Cross-post to Facebook. Toggle it on. From that point forward, any post you make on Instagram will also appear on your Facebook page. You can still choose not to cross-post individual posts by turning off the toggle before you publish.
To share a single post manually, go to your Instagram post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Share to Facebook. The post will appear on your Facebook page. This method gives you more control — you decide which posts go to Facebook and which stay on Instagram only.
How to disconnect Instagram from Facebook
If you want to stop managing Instagram from Facebook, or if you no longer want Facebook to see your Instagram account, you can disconnect them. Go to your Facebook page settings, click Instagram Accounts, find the Instagram account you want to disconnect, and click the three dots next to it. Select Remove.
Disconnecting does not delete either account. Your Instagram account will still exist, and your Facebook page will still exist. Any posts you cross-posted to Facebook will stay on your Facebook page — they will not be deleted. You can reconnect the same accounts later if you change your mind.
If you disconnect and then reconnect the same accounts, you will go through the login and confirmation process again, but your accounts will not be affected otherwise.
What happens to your data if you disconnect
When you disconnect Instagram from Facebook, Facebook stops being able to see new posts and messages from Instagram. However, Facebook keeps the data it already collected while the accounts were connected — your Instagram username, the posts you cross-posted, and any insights Facebook gathered about your Instagram activity.
If you want Facebook to delete the data it collected, you will need to contact Facebook's support team. You can request data deletion through your Facebook privacy settings under Your information, then read your information or Delete your information. Facebook will tell you what data it has and give you options for what to do with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Instagram followers see my Facebook posts?
No. Your Instagram followers and Facebook followers are separate groups. When you cross-post an Instagram post to Facebook, only your Facebook followers see it on Facebook. Your Instagram followers only see it on Instagram. You would need to manually share a Facebook post to Instagram for Instagram followers to see it.
Can I connect the same Instagram account to multiple Facebook pages?
Yes. You can connect one Instagram account to more than one Facebook page. Go to Instagram Accounts in each page's settings and connect the same Instagram account. However, if you turn on automatic cross-posting, your posts will go to all connected pages at once.
What if I forgot my Instagram password?
Use Instagram's password reset tool before you try to connect. Go to Instagram.com, click Forgot password? on the login screen, and follow the steps to reset it. Once you have a new password, you can complete the connection process.
Does connecting Instagram to Facebook change my privacy settings?
No. Your privacy settings on both platforms stay exactly the same. If your Instagram account is private, it stays private. If your Facebook page is public, it stays public. The connection only determines whether Facebook can see that your accounts are linked and whether you can manage them together.
Can someone else see that my Instagram is connected to my Facebook page?
No. The connection is visible only to you and other admins of the Facebook page. Your Instagram followers cannot see that your account is connected to Facebook, and your Facebook followers cannot see that your page is connected to Instagram.