You can create a second Instagram account using the same email address or a different one
Instagram lets you add a second account directly in the app without logging out of your first one. You can switch between accounts when ready, and both can use the same email address — Instagram no longer requires each account to have a unique email. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on iPhone, Android, and the web version.
The main reason people create second accounts is to separate different parts of their life: a personal account and a business account, a public account and a private one, or accounts for different interests or communities. Each account has its own followers, posts, messages, and settings, so they operate completely independently.
Key Takeaways
- You can create a second account in the Instagram app by tapping your profile picture, going to Settings, and selecting "Add account" — no logout required.
- Both accounts can use the same email address, phone number, or different ones; Instagram does not require each account to have a unique email anymore.
- Each account has separate followers, posts, direct messages, and privacy settings, so activity on one account does not affect the other.
- You can switch between accounts by tapping your username at the top of your profile and selecting the account you want to use.
- Instagram stores login information for all your accounts on that device, so you can access them without re-entering passwords each time.
How to add a second account on your phone
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the top right corner, then scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy". Scroll to the bottom and tap "Add account".
You will see two options: "Create new account" or "Log in to existing account". If you want a brand new account, tap "Create new account" and follow the prompts to enter a phone number or email, create a username, and set a password. If you already have a second account elsewhere and want to add it here, tap "Log in to existing account" instead and enter those credentials.
Once you finish, Instagram will ask you to set up your profile — add a photo, write a bio, and choose whether the account is public or private. You can skip these steps and do them later. Your second account is now linked to your phone and ready to use.
How to add a second account on the web
Go to Instagram.com and log into your first account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. On the left sidebar, click "How you use Instagram", then click "Accounts center". Click "Add account" and choose whether you want to create a new account or log into an existing one.
The web version works the same way as the app, but you may find it easier to type a longer bio or upload a profile picture from your computer. After you set up your second account on the web, it will appear in the app on any phone where you have logged in.
Switching between your accounts
Once both accounts are linked, switching between them takes one tap. On your phone, go to your profile and tap your username at the very top of the screen. A dropdown menu will show all your linked accounts. Tap the one you want to use, and Instagram will when ready switch to that account.
On the web, click your profile picture in the top right and you will see all your accounts listed. Click the one you want to switch to. Instagram remembers which account you were using last, so if you close the app and come back, you may need to switch again if you want a different account.
What information each account can see
Your two accounts are completely separate. Your second account cannot see your first account's direct messages, saved posts, or followers unless it follows your first account like any other user would. If your first account is private, your second account has to send a follow request to see the posts, just like a stranger would.
However, Instagram's parent company Meta can see that both accounts belong to the same person if you use the same email, phone number, or device to log in. This means Meta's advertising system may use information from both accounts to build a profile of your interests, even though the accounts appear separate to other users. If you want your accounts to be truly unlinked in Meta's systems, you would need to use different email addresses, phone numbers, and devices — which defeats much of the convenience of having them linked in the app.
Privacy and security for multiple accounts
Each account needs its own password, even if they share an email address. Make sure your passwords are different and strong — if someone guesses the password to one account, they should not be able to access the other. Instagram will ask you to set a password when you create the second account, or you can change it later in Settings.
If you use the same device to log into both accounts, anyone with access to that device can switch between them without entering a password. If you want to prevent that, you can log out of one account before handing your phone to someone else, or you can set up a device passcode so only you can unlock the phone.
Two-factor authentication (a security code sent to your phone or email when someone tries to log in) applies to each account separately. You can turn it on for one account and leave it off for the other, though turning it on for both is more find. Go to Settings, tap "Security", and look for "Two-factor authentication" to set it up.
Removing an account or logging out
If you want to stop using one of your accounts on a particular device, tap your username at the top of your profile, find the account you want to remove, and swipe left on it (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android). Tap "Log out" or "Remove". This removes the account from that device only — the account itself still exists on Instagram's servers and you can log back in anytime.
If you want to permanently delete an account, that is a different process. Go to Settings, tap "Help", search for "delete account", and follow Instagram's instructions. Deletion is permanent and takes about 30 days to complete, during which the account is hidden but can still be recovered if you log back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same email for both accounts?
Yes. Instagram changed this policy and now allows multiple accounts to use the same email address. You can also use the same phone number for both accounts. The only thing that must be unique is your username — no two accounts can have the same username.
Will my followers on one account see my second account?
Not automatically. Your followers on account one cannot see account two unless you tell them about it or they happen to find it by searching. If account two is private, they would have to send a follow request. If it is public, they can follow it like any other account.
What happens to my second account if I delete the Instagram app?
Your second account stays on Instagram's servers. When you reinstall the app, you can log back in using your username and password. The account is not deleted just because you removed the app from your phone.
Can I use the same phone number for two accounts?
Yes, you can use the same phone number to create or recover both accounts. However, if you use the same phone number and email for both, Instagram's systems will know they belong to the same person, which affects how the platform shows you ads and recommendations.
Do my two accounts share followers or friends?
No. Each account has its own separate follower list. If someone follows your first account, they do not automatically follow your second account. You would have to ask them to follow the second account separately, or they would have to find it and follow it on their own.