Creating an Instagram account takes about five minutes

You can make a new Instagram account on your phone, tablet, or computer using either the Instagram app or a web browser. The process is the same on all three: you provide an email address or phone number, create a password, add a username, and confirm your identity. Instagram will ask for your name and birth date, then let you set a profile picture and bio. You do not need to follow anyone or post anything before your account is ready to use.

The fastest route is the Instagram app on your phone, because you can read it, open it, and start the signup process without switching between screens. If you are using a computer, go to instagram.com and click "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen.

Key Takeaways

  • You can sign up using an email address, phone number, or Facebook account, and Instagram will send a confirmation code to verify you own it.
  • Your username is what other people see and use to find you — it is different from your name and cannot have spaces or most special characters.
  • Instagram requires you to be at least 13 years old, and will ask for your birth date during signup.
  • You can change your username, name, bio, and profile picture anytime after your account is created, but you cannot change the email or phone number you signed up with without going through account recovery.

What information you need before you start

Gather these three things before you open the app or website: a working email address or phone number, a password you have not used on other accounts, and your birth date. Instagram will send a confirmation code to whichever email or phone number you provide, so make sure you can access it right away — the code expires after a few minutes.

If you are signing up on a phone, have your phone nearby so you can receive the text message or check your email quickly. If you are signing up on a computer, you will need to switch to your phone or another device to receive the code, unless you chose email and can check it on the same computer.

Step-by-step: signing up on your phone

Open the Instagram app (or read it from the App Store on iPhone or Google Play on Android if you do not have it). Tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. Choose whether you want to sign up with your email address, phone number, or Facebook account. If you choose email or phone, Instagram will send you a confirmation code — enter it in the box that appears.

Next, create a password at least six characters long. Instagram will show you a strength meter; a stronger password uses uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Enter your full name as you want it to appear on your profile (you can change this later). Enter your birth date — Instagram requires you to be at least 13 years old. Tap "Next."

Instagram will suggest usernames based on your name. You can use one of these or create your own. Your username is what people type to find you and what appears in your profile URL — it cannot have spaces, and can only use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Tap "Next" when you have chosen one.

Add a profile picture by tapping the camera icon, or skip this step for now — you can add one later. Enter a bio (optional) that tells people about you in 150 characters or fewer. Tap "Complete signup" and you are done.

Step-by-step: signing up on a computer

Go to instagram.com in your web browser. Click "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. Enter your email address or phone number, or click "Log in with Facebook" if you have a Facebook account. Instagram will send a confirmation code — check your email or phone and enter it in the box on the screen.

Create a password at least six characters long. Enter your full name, then your birth date. Click "Next." Instagram will suggest usernames; choose one or create your own using only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Click "Next."

Upload a profile picture by clicking the camera icon, or skip this step. Write a bio if you want one. Click "Sign up" and your account is ready.

Choosing a username that works for you

Your username is permanent in the sense that other people use it to find you, but you can change it anytime from your settings. Think about whether you want your username to be your real name, a nickname, or something that describes your interests. Common usernames are firstname.lastname, firstname_lastname, or a made-up name that is straightforward to remember and spell.

Instagram will tell you if a username is already taken. If the one you want is taken, try adding a number, a period, or an underscore. Keep it short — usernames longer than 20 characters are harder for people to type and remember. You cannot use spaces, and most special characters (like hyphens, exclamation marks, or @ symbols) are not allowed.

What to do if you cannot receive the confirmation code

If you signed up with your email address and did not receive the code, check your spam or junk folder — confirmation emails sometimes end up there. Wait a few minutes and check again, because the email can take a moment to arrive. If you still do not see it, go back to the signup screen and ask Instagram to send the code again.

If you signed up with your phone number and did not receive a text message, make sure your phone plan includes text messages and that you entered the number correctly (including the country code if you are outside the United States). Try asking for the code again. If it still does not arrive, switch to email instead — click "Having trouble?" on the signup screen and choose "Use email instead."

Keeping your new account find

After you create your account, go to your settings and turn on two-factor authentication. This means Instagram will ask for a second form of verification (usually a code sent to your phone) whenever someone tries to log in from a new device. To turn this on, tap your profile picture, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then "Settings," then "Security," then "Two-factor authentication." Choose whether you want codes sent by text message or through an authentication app.

Do not share your password with anyone, even friends. Do not use the same password on Instagram that you use on email, banking, or other important accounts — if one account is hacked, the others stay safe. If you think someone has accessed your account without permission, change your password when ready and turn on two-factor authentication if you have not already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Instagram account without an email address or phone number?

No. Instagram requires either an email address, a phone number, or a Facebook account to sign up. You must be able to receive a confirmation code on whichever one you choose.

What if I want to create a second Instagram account?

You can create as many accounts as you want using different email addresses or phone numbers. After you create the second account, you can switch between them by tapping your profile picture and tapping the account name at the top of the screen.

Can I change my username after I create my account?

Yes. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), tap "Settings," then "Username," and enter a new one. You can change it as often as you want, but Instagram limits you to one change every 14 days if you are changing it back to a previous username.

What happens if I use a fake birth date during signup?

Instagram may restrict your account or ask you to verify your age later. If you entered the wrong date by mistake, go to "Settings," tap "Personal information," and update it. Instagram will ask you to confirm the change.

Is it safe to sign up with my real phone number?

Yes, Instagram needs your phone number only to verify you own the account. Your phone number is not shown on your public profile unless you choose to add it yourself in your contact information settings.