Creating an Instagram account takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number

Go to Instagram.com or open the Instagram app on your phone. Tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. Instagram will ask for either an email address or a phone number — use whichever you prefer, though email is easier to recover if you forget your password later. You can also sign up using your Facebook account if you already have one, which skips the email step.

After you enter your email or phone number, Instagram sends a confirmation code. Check your email inbox or text messages for a six-digit code and type it in. Then create a password — Instagram requires at least six characters, and a mix of numbers and letters makes it harder for someone else to guess. You do not need a strong password for Instagram the way you do for your bank account, but avoid something you use everywhere else.

Next, add your name and birthdate. Your name is what appears on your profile; your birthdate determines whether Instagram shows you age-restricted content. You can change your name later, but Instagram uses your birthdate to verify your age and does not let you change it as often. If you are under 18, Instagram automatically sets your account to private, meaning only people you approve can see your posts.

Key Takeaways

  • You need only an email address, phone number, or Facebook account to start — no payment required.
  • Instagram sends a confirmation code to verify you own the email or phone number you entered.
  • Your password should be at least six characters and different from passwords you use on other websites.
  • Accounts for people under 18 are automatically private, so only approved followers can see your posts.
  • You can add a profile picture and bio after signup, but you can do this later if you want to start posting right away.

Choosing a username that works for you

After you confirm your email or phone, Instagram asks you to choose a username. This is the handle people use to find you — it appears with an @ symbol, like @yourname. Usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters. Instagram checks whether the username is already taken and tells you when ready if it is.

Pick something you do not mind seeing in public. Your username is visible to anyone on Instagram, even people who do not follow you. If you want privacy, avoid using your full real name or anything that reveals where you live or work. You can change your username later — Instagram allows one change every 14 days — so if you think of something better, you are not stuck with your first choice.

If the username you want is taken, Instagram suggests similar alternatives with numbers or underscores added. You can accept one of these or try a completely different name. Many people add their city, profession, or a number to make their username unique — @sarah_photography or @mike_denver_2024 are examples that are specific without being too personal.

Adding a profile picture and bio

Once your account is created, Instagram takes you to your profile page. You can add a profile picture by tapping the profile icon at the bottom right of the screen, then tapping "Edit profile." Tap the circle with your initials to upload a photo from your phone's camera roll. Your profile picture appears next to your username whenever you post or comment, so choose something you recognize — a clear headshot, a logo, or a photo that represents what your account is about.

Below your profile picture, add a bio — a short description of who you are or what your account is about. The bio can be up to 150 characters, which is roughly two sentences. If you are setting up a personal account, you might write "Dog lover and coffee enthusiast" or "Photographer in Portland." If you are setting up an account for a business or hobby, write what you do: "Handmade jewelry" or "Local restaurant reviews." Your bio helps people decide whether to follow you.

You can also add a link in your bio — Instagram allows one clickable link that points to a website, blog, or online store. If you do not have a website yet, leave this blank. You can add it later whenever you have something you want to link to. Everything on your profile can be changed anytime, so do not worry about getting it perfect on the first day.

Understanding privacy settings for new accounts

When you first create an account, Instagram sets your privacy level based on your age. If you are 18 or older, your account is public by default, meaning anyone can see your posts, follow you, and send you messages. If you are under 18, your account is private, meaning only people you approve can follow you and see your posts.

You can change this anytime by going to Settings, then Privacy, then Account Privacy. Toggle "Private account" on or off depending on what you want. A private account gives you more control — you see every follow request and can reject people you do not want following you. A public account means more people can discover you, but anyone can see what you post. There is no right choice; it depends on whether you want your posts visible to strangers.

Instagram also lets you control who can message you, comment on your posts, and see when you were last active. These settings are in the same Privacy menu. For a new account, the default settings usually work fine, but if you get unwanted messages or comments, you can restrict who can contact you.

What to do after you finish signing up

After your account is set up, Instagram suggests people to follow based on your email contacts or Facebook friends. You can follow them or skip this step — you do not have to follow anyone right away. Many people spend their first day exploring by searching for accounts related to their interests: hobbies, local businesses, friends, or topics they care about.

Before you post anything, take time to look at how other people use Instagram. Follow a few accounts, look at their posts, and see what kind of content you want to share. Instagram works best when you post regularly — once a week or more — so think about what you actually want to share before you start. You can always delete posts later if you change your mind.

If you set up an account for a business or organization, consider switching to a Business Account or Creator Account later. These account types give you access to analytics that show how many people saw your posts and who engaged with them. You can switch account types in Settings under Account Type, and it does not affect your existing posts or followers.

Recovering your account if you forget your password

If you forget your password, go to the Instagram login page and tap "Forgot password?" Type in your username, email, or phone number. Instagram sends a password reset link to the email address or phone number you used when you signed up. Click the link in that email or text message, and Instagram lets you create a new password.

If you no longer have access to the email or phone number you used to sign up, Instagram has a recovery process, but it takes longer. You will need to verify your identity using a photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with your username written on it. This process can take several days. To avoid this situation, make sure the email address you use for Instagram is one you still check regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a phone number to create an Instagram account?

No. You can use an email address instead. Instagram accepts either one. Phone numbers are optional, though adding one later makes it easier to recover your account if you forget your password.

Can I create an Instagram account without a Facebook account?

Yes. You can sign up with just an email address or phone number. Signing up with Facebook is faster if you already have one, but it is not required.

What happens if the username I want is already taken?

Instagram suggests similar usernames with numbers or underscores added. You can accept one of these suggestions or choose a completely different username. You can also change your username later — Instagram allows one change every 14 days.

Can I make my account private after I create it?

Yes. Go to Settings, then Privacy, then Account Privacy, and toggle "Private account" on. This means only people you approve can follow you and see your posts. You can switch back to public anytime.

Is it safe to use my real name as my username?

Your username is public and visible to anyone on Instagram. If you prefer privacy, use something that does not reveal your full name, location, or workplace. You can always use a nickname or add numbers and underscores to make it less identifiable.