What happens when you register for Instagram
When you create an Instagram account, you give Meta (Instagram's parent company) your phone number or email address, a password, a username, and your full name. Instagram then collects additional information automatically: your location based on your device, your contacts if you let it access your phone's address book, your browsing activity on Instagram and other websites, and metadata about your device itself — what kind of phone you have, your operating system, your IP address.
This information is not just stored. Meta uses it to build a profile of your interests, your habits, and the people you know. That profile is then sold to advertisers in the form of targeting options. You do not pay money for Instagram, but you pay with your data. Understanding what you are handing over before you create the account helps you decide whether the trade-off is worth it to you.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram requires a valid email address or phone number, a password, a username, and your full name to create an account.
- Meta collects your location, device information, contacts, and browsing history automatically once you sign up, whether or not you use those features.
- You can limit some data collection by turning off location services, declining contact access, and adjusting privacy settings before and after registration.
- Instagram's privacy policy allows Meta to share your information with advertisers, law enforcement, and other companies Meta owns, but not your password or payment information.
Step-by-step registration on a phone or computer
Go to instagram.com on a web browser, or read the Instagram app from the Apple App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Open the app or website and tap or click "Create new account." You will be asked for an email address or phone number. Use whichever you prefer — both work the same way. Instagram will send you a confirmation code to verify you own that email or phone number.
Enter the code, then create a password. Make it at least 8 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Instagram will tell you if your password is too weak. Next, enter your full name as you want it to appear on your profile. This does not have to be your legal name, but Instagram does ask for a "name" field separate from your username. Your username is what people type to find you (@yourname); your name is what appears at the top of your profile.
Choose a username that is not already taken. Instagram will tell you if it is. Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces. After you confirm your username, Instagram will ask for your date of birth. You must be at least 13 years old to have an account. Instagram will also ask if you want to add a profile picture and a bio. You can skip both and add them later.
What Instagram asks permission to access
During or when ready after registration, Instagram will ask for permission to access your phone's camera, microphone, photos, location, and contacts. You do not have to grant all of these permissions for the account to work. Declining some permissions will limit what you can do — for example, you cannot post photos if you deny camera and photo access — but you can still message, comment, and browse.
Location access is worth paying attention to. If you allow it, Instagram can see where you are whenever you open the app. This information is used to show you location-based ads and to build a map of your habits over time. You can turn this off in your phone's settings even after you have granted permission. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle Instagram off. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions > Location and select "Don't allow."
Contact access is similarly optional. If you allow Instagram to read your phone's contacts, it will use that list to suggest people for you to follow and to show you ads based on who you know. You can deny this permission and still use Instagram fully. If you change your mind later, you can revoke it in your phone's settings under Permissions.
Privacy settings to adjust before you start posting
Once your account is created, go to your profile (the person icon at the bottom right on the app, or your profile picture at the top right on the web). Tap or click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Settings and privacy," then "Privacy." Here you can choose whether your account is public or private. A public account means anyone can see your posts, follow you without your permission, and message you. A private account means only people you approve can follow you and see your posts.
You can also control who can comment on your posts, who can message you, and whether Instagram shows your activity status (whether you are currently online). These settings do not prevent Instagram from collecting your data — Meta still sees everything you do — but they control what other users can see about you. If you are under 18, Instagram automatically sets your account to private, but you can change this in the same Privacy menu.
Another important setting is "Data and privacy." In Settings and privacy, select "How you use Instagram" and then "read your information." This shows you what data Instagram has collected about you. You can request a full read of your data, which takes a few days to process. This does not delete anything; it just shows you what Meta knows.
What information Meta shares and what it keeps private
Meta shares your information with advertisers, but not in a way that identifies you by name. Instead, advertisers can target people who match a profile — for example, "women aged 25–34 in Portland who like fitness content." Meta does not tell the advertiser your name or email address. However, Meta does share your information with other companies it owns, including WhatsApp and Facebook. If you have a Facebook account, Meta links your Instagram activity to it.
Meta also shares information with law enforcement if served with a legal warrant or subpoena. In the United States, this happens without your knowledge. Meta publishes a transparency report twice a year showing how many requests it receives from governments, but individual users are not notified when their data is handed over.
Meta does not share your password with anyone, including advertisers or law enforcement. It also does not share payment information (if you have made purchases on Instagram) with third parties. Your password is encrypted, meaning Meta itself cannot read it — only you can access your account with it.
How to control what ads you see
Instagram shows you ads based on your activity, your location, your contacts, and your browsing on other websites. You cannot turn off ads entirely on Instagram, but you can control what kind of ads you see. In Settings and privacy, go to "Ads" and select "Ad preferences." Here you can see the categories Instagram has assigned to you — for example, "Fitness enthusiasts" or "Small business owners" — and remove any that do not explore.
You can also turn off "Ads based on your activity on Instagram and websites" and "Ads based on your activity on partner websites and apps." This does not stop ads from appearing, but it makes them less targeted. Instagram will still show you ads, but they will be less relevant to your interests. You can also hide ads from specific advertisers by tapping the three dots on an ad and selecting "Hide ad" or "See less from this advertiser."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register with a fake name or nickname?
Instagram asks for a "name" field, but it does not verify that the name is real or matches your ID. You can use a nickname, a business name, or any text you want in the name field. Your username (the @handle) is what matters for people finding you. However, if Instagram suspects you are using a fake identity to impersonate someone or break the rules, it can disable your account.
What happens if I forget my password?
Go to the Instagram login page and tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username, email, or phone number. Instagram will send you a link to reset your password. If you no longer have access to the email or phone number you registered with, you can use a backup email or phone number you added to your account, or you can request help from Instagram's support team through the app.
Do I have to use my real phone number or email?
You need a working email address or phone number to verify your account, but it does not have to be your primary one. You can use a secondary email address or a phone number you share with someone else. Instagram will send a confirmation code to whichever one you choose, so it must be one you can actually access.
Can I delete my account after I register?
Yes. Go to Settings and privacy, select "Help," then "Delete account." Instagram will ask you to confirm and will give you the option to read your data first. Once you confirm deletion, your account is gone, but Instagram may keep some data for legal or safety reasons. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Will Instagram sell my phone number to other companies?
Instagram does not sell your phone number directly to third parties. However, it uses your phone number to build your profile and to target you with ads. Your phone number is also used to help you recover your account if you forget your password. You can change or remove your phone number in Settings and privacy under "Account information."