The basic steps to add a new Instagram account
You can add a second Instagram account directly within the app you already have, without logging out of your first one. Open Instagram, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Scroll down and tap "Accounts" — you'll see an option to "Add account". Enter the username and password for the account you want to add, and Instagram will remember both accounts so you can switch between them by tapping your profile picture and selecting the account name.
If you're adding an account on a computer instead, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select "Switch accounts" from the dropdown menu. Click "Log into another account" and enter the credentials for the second account. Your browser will store both logins so you can switch between them the same way.
The key difference between adding an account and creating a new one: adding means you already have the account set up elsewhere (perhaps created on a friend's phone or through a web browser), and you're just connecting it to your current device. If you need to create a brand new Instagram account from scratch, that's a separate process that starts with "Create new account" instead of "Add account".
Key Takeaways
- You can store multiple Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them without logging out each time.
- On your phone, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select "Accounts", then "Add account" and enter the login details.
- On a computer, click your profile icon, select "Switch accounts", then "Log into another account".
- Adding an account means the account already exists — if you need to create a brand new one, use the "Create new account" option instead.
What happens to your password when you add an account
When you add an account to your phone or computer, Instagram stores the login information on that device. This means you won't have to type the password every time you want to switch to that account — Instagram remembers it. However, this also means anyone with physical access to your phone or computer can switch to that account without knowing the password.
If you're on a shared device, consider whether you want to store the password this way. You can always choose "Don't save login info" during the add process, which means you'll type the password each time you switch accounts. This takes a few extra seconds but prevents someone from casually opening your account if they pick up your phone.
Adding an account you don't own yet
If you want to add an account that doesn't exist yet, you'll need to create it first. You can create a new account on Instagram's website or in the app itself by selecting "Create new account" instead of "Add account". You'll need an email address or phone number, a username, a password, and your birth date. Once the account is created and verified, you can then add it to your device using the steps above.
Some people create a second account on a computer first, then add it to their phone later. Others create it directly on their phone. Either way works — the account has to exist before you can add it to a device.
Switching between accounts on your phone
Once you've added multiple accounts, switching between them is quick. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the app. At the top of your profile screen, you'll see your current username. Tap it, and a dropdown menu will show all the accounts you've added to that phone. Select the one you want to use, and Instagram will switch to that account when ready.
You'll stay logged into all of them until you manually log out. If you want to remove an account from your phone without deleting the account itself, go to Settings, tap "Accounts", find the account you want to remove, and select "Remove". The account still exists on Instagram's servers — you're just disconnecting it from this device.
Switching between accounts on your computer
On a desktop or laptop, click your profile icon in the top right corner of Instagram.com. You'll see a dropdown menu with "Switch accounts" near the top. Click it, and you'll see all the accounts stored on that browser. Click the one you want to use. If you want to log out of one account completely, click your profile icon again and select "Log out" — this removes that account from the browser's memory.
Unlike your phone, where accounts stay logged in until you remove them, browser accounts sometimes log out automatically if you haven't used them in a while or if you clear your browser's cookies and cache. If that happens, you'll need to log back in using "Log into another account".
Security considerations when storing multiple accounts
Storing multiple account passwords on one device is convenient, but it concentrates your accounts in one place. If someone gains access to your phone or computer, they can access all of your stored accounts without needing individual passwords. This is especially important if the accounts have different purposes — for example, a personal account and a business account.
You can reduce this risk by using a strong, unique password for each account and by enabling two-factor authentication on Instagram. Two-factor authentication means Instagram will ask for a second form of verification (usually a code from an authenticator app or a text message) even if someone has your password. Go to Settings, tap "Security", then "Two-Factor Authentication" to turn this on. This protects your account even if your password is compromised.
If you're on a shared device, you might also consider using Instagram's "Log out of all sessions" feature if you're concerned about someone else accessing your accounts. You can find this in Settings under "Security" — it logs you out of every device and browser where you're currently signed in, so you'll have to log back in on your phone or computer.
Troubleshooting: Account won't add or keeps logging out
If you're trying to add an account and Instagram shows an error, the most common cause is an incorrect username or password. Double-check both — Instagram usernames are case-sensitive, and passwords are too. If you've forgotten the password, use Instagram's "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it before trying to add the account again.
If an account keeps logging out on its own, it's usually because Instagram detected unusual activity or because your browser's cookies are being cleared automatically. Check your phone or computer settings to see if you have an app that clears cache and cookies regularly — if so, you may need to adjust those settings or add Instagram to an exception list. On a computer, you can also try using a different browser to see if the problem persists.
If you see a message saying "This account can't be added", the account may have been compromised or Instagram may have temporarily locked it for security reasons. Try logging into that account directly on Instagram.com to see if Instagram asks you to verify your identity or change your password. Once you've done that, try adding it to your device again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add an account that someone else owns?
Technically yes — if you have the username and password, you can add any account to your device. However, this is against Instagram's terms of service if you don't have permission from the account owner. If you're managing someone else's account with their permission (like a family member's or a client's), it's better to ask them to change the password to something you both know, or to use Instagram's "Authorized Partners" feature if available for business accounts.
What's the difference between adding an account and creating a new one?
Adding an account means the account already exists somewhere — you're just connecting it to your current device. Creating a new account means you're building a brand new Instagram profile from scratch with a new username and email. If the account you want to use doesn't exist yet, you'll create it first, then add it to your device.
Will adding a second account affect my first account?
No. Your first account remains unchanged. Adding a second account just lets you store both logins on the same device and switch between them. Your followers, posts, messages, and settings on the first account stay exactly as they are.
Can I add an account if I don't remember the password?
No, you'll need the password to add the account. Use Instagram's password reset feature on the login screen — enter the email or phone number associated with the account, and Instagram will send you a link to create a new password. Once you've reset it, you can add the account to your device.
What happens if I remove an account from my phone?
Removing an account from your phone just disconnects it from that device — the account itself still exists on Instagram. You can add it back anytime by entering the password again. Removing an account does not delete any posts, followers, or messages associated with it.