Where Instagram stores your contact details
Instagram keeps your phone number and email address in your account settings, not scattered across different pages. The location depends on whether you use the app on your phone or the website on a computer — both show the same information, but the path to find it is different.
Your contact details are stored under "Personal Information" in your settings. Instagram uses this information to help you recover your account if you forget your password, and to let you choose how the platform contacts you about security issues or changes to your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone number and email address are stored in the Personal Information section of your account settings, accessible from both the app and the website.
- On the Instagram app, tap your profile picture, then Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Personal Information to see what you have on file.
- On a computer, click the menu icon in the top right, select Settings, then Personal Information to view the same details.
- You can add, change, or remove your phone number and email at any time, and Instagram will not notify anyone when you make these changes.
- If you cannot remember which email you used to create your account, check your email inbox for messages from Instagram or try the account recovery process.
Finding your contact information on the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. This takes you to your profile page. From there, tap the menu icon — three horizontal lines — in the top right corner of your screen.
Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy. Then tap Settings. Scroll down until you see Personal Information and tap it. You will now see the phone number and email address linked to your account, if you have added them.
If you see a phone number or email you do not recognize, or if you want to add or change either one, you can do that on this same screen. Tap the field you want to change, enter the new information, and tap Save.
Finding your contact information on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in to your account. Click the menu icon — three horizontal lines — in the top right corner of the page. Scroll down and click Settings.
On the left side of the screen, click Personal Information. You will see your phone number and email address displayed on the right. If either field is blank, you have not added that contact method to your account yet.
To change your phone number or email, click the field, type the new information, and click Save. Instagram will send a confirmation message to your new email address before the change takes effect.
What to do if you cannot find your email address
If you do not remember which email you used to create your account, check the inbox of every email address you use regularly. Instagram sends messages about account activity, password changes, and security alerts to the email on file. Look for any message from Instagram or from noreply@instagram.com.
If you still cannot find it, use the account recovery process. Go to Instagram.com and click Forgot Password? on the login page. Enter your username, and Instagram will show you a partial version of the email address connected to your account — for example, m***@gmail.com. This partial view is enough to help you remember which email you used.
If you want to change the email on your account to one you use more often, you can do that in Personal Information. Instagram will send a confirmation link to the old email address, so you will need access to it to complete the change.
Why Instagram asks for your contact information
Instagram uses your phone number and email to help you regain access to your account if you forget your password or if someone else tries to log in. When you try to recover your account, Instagram sends a link or code to one of these contact methods to prove you are the real owner.
The platform also uses your contact information to send you notifications about suspicious activity, like a login from a new device or location. You can control which notifications you receive by going to Settings and Privacy, then Notifications, and choosing what Instagram tells you about.
Instagram does not share your phone number or email with other users unless you choose to make them public in your profile. By default, these details are private and visible only to you and Instagram.
Adding or removing your phone number
To add a phone number, go to Personal Information in your settings and tap or click the phone number field. Enter your number in the format shown — usually with your country code — and tap or click Save. Instagram will send a text message to confirm the number works.
To remove your phone number, go to the same field and delete the number, then save. You can have a phone number on file without making it visible to other users. Removing it does not affect your account security unless it is the only way you can recover your account.
If you change your phone number in real life, update it in Instagram as well. This ensures that if you need to recover your account later, Instagram can reach you at a number you still use.
What happens when you change your contact information
When you change your email address, Instagram sends a confirmation link to your old email. You must click that link to complete the change. This protects your account by making sure someone cannot change your email without access to the old one.
When you change your phone number, Instagram sends a text message to the new number with a confirmation code. Enter that code in the app or website to finish the update. No one else will be notified that you made this change.
Your old contact information is removed from your account once the new information is confirmed. Instagram keeps records of account activity for security reasons, but the old phone number or email is no longer used to recover your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one phone number or email on my Instagram account?
No. Instagram allows only one phone number and one email address per account. If you want to add a new one, you must replace the old one. You can, however, use the same email or phone to recover multiple Instagram accounts if you own them.
What if I do not want to add a phone number or email to Instagram?
You do not have to add either one. Your account will work without them. However, if you forget your password and have no contact information on file, recovering your account becomes much harder. Instagram may ask you security questions instead, but this takes longer.
Will Instagram tell my followers if I change my contact information?
No. Changes to your phone number or email are private. Your followers will not see that you made this change, and Instagram will not post anything about it to your profile or their feeds.
Can I use a fake phone number or email on Instagram?
Instagram will ask you to confirm any phone number or email you add. If you enter a fake number, the confirmation text or email will not arrive, and Instagram will not save it. You must use real contact information that you can access.
What if someone else has access to my email or phone number?
Change your Instagram password when ready, then update your contact information to an email or phone number only you can access. If you think someone has already changed your password, use the account recovery process to regain control. You can also turn on two-factor authentication in your security settings for extra protection.