Creating a new Instagram account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number
You can create an Instagram account directly from the Instagram app or website without paying anything. You will need either a working email address or a phone number where you can receive a text message. Instagram will ask you to choose a username (the name people use to find you) and a password, then verify that the email or phone number belongs to you. Once you complete these steps, your account is active and ready to use.
The process is the same whether you are creating your first account or a second one. If you already have an Instagram account and want to add another, you can stay logged into both at the same time on the same device — Instagram lets you switch between accounts without logging out.
Key Takeaways
- You need either a valid email address or a phone number that can receive text messages to create an account.
- Your username is public and permanent — people use it to find and mention you — while your password is private and can be changed anytime.
- Instagram will send a verification code to your email or phone to confirm you own that address or number before your account becomes fully active.
- You can create multiple accounts and switch between them on the same phone or computer without logging out each time.
- Your account information — including your email, phone number, and the date you created the account — is stored on Instagram's servers and subject to their privacy policy.
Creating an account on the Instagram app
Open the Instagram app on your phone and tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. You will see two options: sign up with your email address or sign up with your phone number. Choose whichever one you have available.
If you choose email, type the email address you want to use. If you choose phone, enter your phone number in the format shown (usually starting with your country code). Instagram will send a code to that email or phone — check your inbox or text messages and enter the code when prompted. This step proves to Instagram that you actually own that email address or phone number.
Next, create a password that is at least six characters long. Instagram does not require uppercase letters, numbers, or special characters, but using a mix of these makes your password harder to guess. Write down your password somewhere safe if you think you might forget it — you will need it to log in later.
Then enter your full name (the name that appears on your profile, which you can change anytime) and choose a username. Your username is what people type to find you — it must be between three and thirty characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, and cannot have spaces. Usernames are permanent once created, so choose one you are comfortable with. Instagram will tell you if the username is already taken.
Creating an account on the Instagram website
Go to instagram.com in your web browser and click "Create new account" on the login page. You will see a form asking for your email address or phone number, full name, username, and password. Fill in each field the same way you would on the app.
After you enter your information, Instagram will send a verification code to your email or phone. Check your inbox or text messages, copy the code, and paste it into the box on the website. Once Instagram confirms the code, your account is created and you can log in.
Creating an account on the website works identically to the app — the only difference is that you are using a browser instead of the mobile process. You can start on one device and finish on another if you need to.
Choosing a username and password you can remember
Your username is public — everyone on Instagram can see it, and it appears in your profile URL (the web address for your account). Your password is private and only you should know it. These two pieces of information serve different purposes, so do not use the same thing for both.
For your username, pick something you do not mind other people seeing and that you will recognize as yours. Many people use a variation of their real name, a nickname, or a combination of their name and a number. You cannot change your username after you create it without deleting the account, so think it through before you confirm.
For your password, use something you can remember but that would be hard for someone else to guess. Avoid using your birthdate, the names of people close to you, or straightforward patterns like "123456" or "password". If you are worried about forgetting it, write it down in a notebook or use a password manager — a tool that stores passwords securely on your device.
What information Instagram collects when you sign up
When you create an account, Instagram collects and stores the email address or phone number you provided, your full name, your username, your password (in encrypted form, meaning Instagram cannot read it), and the date and time you created the account. Instagram also collects information about the device you used to sign up — the type of phone or computer, the operating system, and your approximate location based on your internet connection.
This information is stored on Instagram's servers, which are owned by Meta Platforms (the company that owns Instagram). Meta uses this data to run your account, send you security alerts, and show you personalized content and advertisements. You can read exactly what Meta does with your information in their Data Policy, which is available on the Instagram website under Settings and Privacy.
If you delete your account later, Instagram keeps some of this information for a limited time to prevent fraud and comply with legal requirements. The specific length of time varies by country and by the type of information.
Adding a profile picture and bio after you sign up
After your account is created, Instagram will ask you to add a profile picture and write a bio (a short description of who you are). These steps are optional — you can skip them and add this information later, or you can fill them in right away.
To add a profile picture, tap the camera icon on your profile and choose a photo from your phone or take a new one. Instagram will let you crop and adjust the image before you save it. To write a bio, go to your profile, tap "Edit profile," and type in the bio field. Your bio can be up to 150 characters and can include text, emojis, and line breaks.
You can change your profile picture and bio as many times as you want. Many people update these regularly to reflect what they are doing or how they are feeling.
Creating a second account on the same device
If you already have an Instagram account and want to create another one, you do not need to log out. Open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), scroll down, and tap "Accounts Center" or "Settings." Look for an option that says "Add account" or "Switch accounts." Tap it and follow the same steps to create a new account with a different email address or phone number.
Once you have created the second account, you can switch between them by tapping your username at the top of your profile and selecting the other account from the list. This is faster than logging out and logging back in, and you can stay logged into both accounts at the same time on the same phone or computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a phone number to create an Instagram account?
No. You can use either an email address or a phone number. If you do not have a phone number, use an email address instead. Instagram just needs one way to verify that you are a real person.
Can I change my username after I create my account?
No. Once you choose a username, it is permanent and cannot be changed. You can only get a different username by deleting your account and creating a new one. Choose carefully before you confirm.
What happens if I forget my password?
Go to the Instagram login page and tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username or email address, and Instagram will send you a link to reset your password. Click the link and create a new password. You will then be able to log in with the new password.
Can I use a fake name or nickname as my full name?
Yes. Instagram does not verify that your full name is your legal name. You can use any name you want on your profile. Your full name is different from your username — it is what appears at the top of your profile, and you can change it anytime.
Is it safe to create an Instagram account with my real email address?
Yes, as long as your email address is find. Use an email account that has a strong password and that you check regularly. Instagram will use this email to send you security alerts and password reset links, so it needs to be one you have access to. If you are concerned about privacy, you can create a separate email address just for Instagram.