Why you might want to disconnect Facebook from Instagram
Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same company, and by default they are linked — meaning your Facebook login works on Instagram, and the two accounts share some data behind the scenes. Disconnecting them breaks that link. After you disconnect, you will need a separate Instagram password to log in, and the accounts will no longer automatically share information with each other.
People disconnect for several reasons. You might want Instagram to stop pulling your Facebook friends list, or you might be closing your Facebook account but keeping Instagram. You might also disconnect if you share a device and want to prevent someone from accessing your Instagram through your Facebook login. Disconnecting does not delete either account — it just separates them.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnecting Facebook from Instagram stops the two accounts from sharing data and means you will need a separate Instagram password to log in.
- You can disconnect from Instagram's settings on your phone or from the Instagram website on a computer.
- Before you disconnect, create a new Instagram password if you do not already have one, because you will need it to log back in.
- Disconnecting does not delete your Instagram account or your Facebook account — it only breaks the link between them.
- If you forget your Instagram password after disconnecting, you can reset it using the email or phone number attached to your Instagram account.
Create a new Instagram password before you disconnect
When Facebook and Instagram are linked, you log in with your Facebook password. Once you disconnect, Instagram will not recognize your Facebook password anymore. You need your own Instagram password to log in after that, so create one now if you do not already have one.
On your phone, open Instagram and go to your profile (the person icon at the bottom right). Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, then tap Settings and privacy. Scroll down and tap Account, then tap Password. Enter your current password, then enter a new password twice. Make sure it is something you can remember, or write it down somewhere safe. Tap Save password when you are done.
On a computer, go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right, then click Settings. On the left side, click Password and security. Click Change password, enter your current password, then enter a new password twice and click Change password again.
Disconnect on your phone
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner, then tap Settings and privacy. Scroll down and tap Account. Look for Meta accounts center or Linked accounts — the exact name depends on your phone's operating system and your Instagram version.
Tap that option. You will see Facebook listed as a connected account. Tap Remove or Disconnect next to Facebook's name. Instagram will ask you to confirm. Tap Remove or Disconnect again. The link is now broken. You can close the settings and log out if you want to test your new Instagram password.
Disconnect on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner, then click Settings. On the left side, look for Meta accounts center or Accounts center. Click it. You should see a section for connected accounts or linked accounts.
Find Facebook in the list and click it. You will see an option to remove or disconnect the account. Click Remove or Disconnect. Instagram will ask you to confirm. Click the button again to finish. The accounts are now separate.
What happens after you disconnect
Once disconnected, logging into Instagram with your Facebook password will no longer work. You must use your Instagram username or email address plus your Instagram password instead. If you use Instagram on multiple devices, you will need to log out and log back in on each one using your new credentials.
Your Instagram account itself does not change. Your photos, followers, and messages stay exactly as they are. The only difference is that Instagram will no longer share data with Facebook in the background, and you will not be able to use your Facebook login as a shortcut. If you ever want to link them again in the future, you can do so from the same settings menu.
If you forget your Instagram password after disconnecting
If you disconnect and then forget your Instagram password, you can reset it. On the Instagram login screen, tap Forgot password? (on phone) or click Forgot password? (on computer). Instagram will ask for your username or the email address or phone number attached to your account. Enter whichever one you remember.
Instagram will send a reset link to your email or a code to your phone. Follow the instructions in that message to create a new password. Once you have reset it, you can log in normally. Keep this new password somewhere you can find it, since you will not be able to use your Facebook login as a backup anymore.
Disconnecting does not affect your Facebook account
Disconnecting Instagram from Facebook only changes how you log into Instagram. Your Facebook account continues to work exactly as before. You can still use Facebook normally, and disconnecting Instagram does not delete your Facebook data or change your Facebook settings.
If you want to disconnect Facebook from other apps or services that use your Facebook login, you will need to do that separately in your Facebook settings. Go to Facebook.com, click your profile picture in the top right, click Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side, click Apps and websites to see everything connected to your Facebook account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will disconnecting delete my Instagram account?
No. Disconnecting only breaks the link between your Facebook and Instagram accounts. Your Instagram account, photos, followers, and messages all remain. You will just need to log in with your Instagram password instead of your Facebook password.
Can I reconnect Facebook and Instagram later?
Yes. You can reconnect them anytime by going back to the same settings menu where you disconnected them. Look for the option to add or link a Facebook account, and follow the prompts to log in with your Facebook credentials.
What if I do not remember my Instagram email or phone number?
If you cannot reset your password because you do not remember the email or phone number on file, you can use Instagram's account recovery form on their website. You will need to provide information about your account, like your username or photos you have posted, to prove you own it.
Do I have to disconnect if I want to close my Facebook account?
No, but it is a good idea. If you close Facebook without disconnecting Instagram first, Instagram will still try to use the Facebook link. Disconnecting first makes sure Instagram works smoothly after your Facebook account is gone. You can disconnect, then close Facebook separately.
Will my Instagram followers see that I disconnected from Facebook?
No. Disconnecting is private. Your followers will not be notified, and nothing on your Instagram profile changes. The disconnection only affects how you log in and what data the two accounts share behind the scenes.