How to disconnect Instagram from Facebook

You can disconnect Instagram from Facebook by removing Facebook's access to your Instagram account through Instagram's settings. The process takes about two minutes and does not delete either account — it only stops them from being linked. After you disconnect, you will log into Instagram with your Instagram username and password instead of your Facebook credentials, and the two accounts will no longer share data or settings.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Instagram on a phone or computer, but the setting you need is in the same place on both.

Key Takeaways

  • Disconnecting Instagram from Facebook stops data sharing between the accounts but does not delete either one.
  • You must have an Instagram username and password set up before you disconnect, or you will be locked out of Instagram after the split.
  • The disconnect happens when ready, and you will need to log in with your Instagram credentials the next time you open the app.
  • If you originally created your Instagram account using only your Facebook login, you will need to set a password first through the "Forgot Password" flow.

Check that you have an Instagram password before disconnecting

If you created your Instagram account by signing up with Facebook, you may not have set an Instagram password yet. You need one before you disconnect, or you will not be able to log back in. To check: open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select Settings and Privacy. Then tap Account and look for Password. If it is blank or says you have not set one, tap it and create a password now.

If you cannot remember your Instagram password and the password field shows one is set, tap Password and select Forgot Password. Instagram will send a reset link to the email address connected to your account. Check that email, click the link, and create a new password. Wait a few minutes after resetting your password before you disconnect Facebook.

Disconnect on iPhone or Android

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Account. Look for Meta Accounts Center or Linked Accounts — the exact name depends on your Instagram version. Tap it.

You will see a list of accounts linked to your Meta Accounts Center. Find Facebook in the list and tap it. Look for a button that says Remove, Disconnect, or Unlink (the wording varies). Tap it and confirm when Instagram asks if you are sure. Instagram will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change. Type it in and tap Confirm. The disconnect is complete.

Disconnect on a computer

Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left side, click How you use Instagram, then click Accounts and passwords. Look for Meta Accounts Center or Linked Accounts. Click it.

Find Facebook in the list of linked accounts and click it. Click the button that says Remove, Disconnect, or Unlink. Instagram will ask you to confirm and may ask for your password. Enter your password and click Confirm. The accounts are now disconnected.

What happens after you disconnect

Your Instagram and Facebook accounts will no longer share login information, settings, or data. You will log into Instagram using your Instagram username (or email) and your Instagram password. Your Facebook account remains unchanged and still has its own separate login. Neither account is deleted, and you can still use both — they just operate independently now.

If you had Instagram and Facebook notifications linked, they will separate. If you had shared your Instagram Stories to Facebook automatically, that setting will turn off. You can turn it back on later by reconnecting the accounts, but you will have to go through the linking process again if you change your mind.

If you cannot find the disconnect option

Older versions of Instagram may not show the Meta Accounts Center option. If you cannot find it, update Instagram through your phone's app store or Google Play Store. After updating, go back to Settings and Privacy, then Account, and look again for Linked Accounts or Meta Accounts Center. If the option still does not appear, try logging out of Instagram completely, closing the app, and logging back in with your Instagram username and password instead of Facebook. This sometimes forces the account separation on older versions.

If you are still stuck, you can also disconnect through Facebook's settings. Go to Facebook.com, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Apps and Websites on the left, then Active. Find Instagram in the list, click it, and select Remove. This removes Facebook's access to Instagram from Facebook's side, though you may still need to confirm the change in Instagram's settings.

Reconnecting Instagram and Facebook later

If you disconnect and later want to link the accounts again, you can do so through the same settings menu. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Linked Accounts or Meta Accounts Center. Look for an option to add or link an account, select Facebook, and log in with your Facebook credentials. The accounts will be linked again, and you can choose to use Facebook to log into Instagram if you want.

Reconnecting does not restore old shared settings — you will need to turn on any automations (like sharing Stories to Facebook) manually after you reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disconnecting Instagram from Facebook delete either account?

No. Disconnecting only removes the link between the two accounts. Both Instagram and Facebook remain active and unchanged. Your posts, followers, and account history stay exactly as they are.

What if I created my Instagram account using only my Facebook login?

You will need to set an Instagram password before you disconnect. Use the "Forgot Password" option in Instagram settings to create one, then wait a few minutes before disconnecting. After that, you will log in with your Instagram username and the new password you created.

Can I still log into Instagram with Facebook after I disconnect?

No. After disconnecting, you must log in with your Instagram username or email and your Instagram password. The Facebook login option will no longer work for Instagram. If you want to use Facebook to log in again, you will need to reconnect the accounts.

Will my Instagram Stories stop sharing to Facebook automatically?

Yes. Any automations that were set up to share content between the accounts will turn off when you disconnect. You can turn them back on if you reconnect the accounts later, but you will need to enable them again manually.

How long does it take for the disconnect to take effect?

The disconnect is when ready. You may need to log out of Instagram and log back in with your Instagram password for the change to fully take effect, but this usually happens within a few minutes.