You can add a second Instagram account without logging out of your first one

Instagram lets you switch between multiple accounts on the same device without signing out each time. You add the new account directly in the app or on the website, and then tap to switch between them whenever you want. The process takes a few minutes and works the same way whether you're using a phone or a computer.

This is different from creating a brand new Instagram account from scratch — that requires an email address or phone number and a password. If you already have login details for the account you want to add, you can skip straight to linking it to your current device.

Key Takeaways

  • You can store up to five Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them without logging out.
  • On a phone, tap your profile picture, then "Settings and privacy," then "Add account" to link an existing account.
  • On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right, select "Switch accounts," then "Log into another account."
  • You need the username and password for each account you want to add, or you can use a saved login if Instagram remembers it.
  • Once added, you can switch accounts by tapping your profile picture and selecting the account name from the list.

How to add an account on an iPhone or Android phone

Open the Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the top right corner, then scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy." Scroll down again and tap "Add account."

You'll see a screen asking whether you want to log in with a password or use another method. Enter the username and password for the account you want to add. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for that account, Instagram will ask you to verify your identity — you may need to enter a code from an authenticator app or receive a text message.

Once you've logged in, Instagram will show you a list of all the accounts now on your phone. You can add up to five accounts this way. To switch between them, go back to your profile, tap the three lines, and tap the account name you want to use.

How to add an account on a computer or web browser

Go to Instagram.com and make sure you're logged into one account. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select "Switch accounts" from the dropdown menu. Click "Log into another account."

Enter the username and password for the account you want to add. If that account has two-factor authentication enabled, Instagram will ask you to verify — check your email, text messages, or authenticator app for a code and enter it when prompted.

Once you've logged in, you can switch between accounts by clicking your profile picture and selecting the account name. You can add multiple accounts this way, though Instagram may limit how many you can keep logged in at once on the web version.

What to do if you don't remember the password

If you've forgotten the password for the account you want to add, click "Forgot password?" on the login screen. Instagram will ask you to enter the username or email address associated with that account. You'll receive a link to reset the password — check the email address or phone number linked to that account.

Click the reset link, create a new password, and then use that new password to log in and add the account to your device. Make sure you save the new password somewhere safe so you don't lose it again.

How to switch between accounts quickly

Once you've added multiple accounts, switching between them takes one tap or click. On a phone, tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then tap the account name you want to use from the list that appears. On a computer, click your profile picture in the top right and select the account name.

When you switch accounts, everything changes — your feed, your followers, your messages, and your settings all belong to that account. You stay logged in to all of them at once, so switching back is just as fast.

Removing an account from your device

If you want to stop seeing an account on your device, you can remove it without deleting the account itself. On a phone, go to Settings and privacy, tap "Add account," find the account you want to remove, and tap "Remove." On a computer, click your profile picture, select "Switch accounts," find the account, and click "Remove."

Removing an account from your device just logs you out of it on that device. The account itself still exists on Instagram, and you can log back in anytime using the password.

Keeping your accounts find when you have multiple logins

When you store multiple accounts on one device, anyone who picks up that device can switch to any of them. If you share your phone or computer with other people, consider using a device passcode or fingerprint lock to protect access to Instagram.

For each account, turn on two-factor authentication in the security settings. This means that even if someone knows the password, they'll need a code from your email, phone, or authenticator app to log in from a new device. It's an extra step, but it protects your accounts if a password gets compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an account I don't have the password for?

No — you need the username and password to add an account to your device. If you don't have the password, use the "Forgot password?" option to reset it first. You'll need access to the email address or phone number linked to that account to complete the reset.

What happens to my messages when I switch accounts?

Your messages stay with each account. When you switch to a different account, you'll see only the messages for that account. Messages from your other accounts won't appear until you switch back to them.

Can I add the same account twice on one device?

No — Instagram won't let you add the same account more than once on the same device. If you try, it will just switch you to that account instead of creating a duplicate.

How many accounts can I add to one device?

You can add up to five accounts on a phone or tablet. On a computer, the limit may be lower depending on your browser and Instagram's current settings, but you can typically store at least three or four.

Will adding a new account affect my current account's settings?

No — each account has its own separate settings, followers, posts, and messages. Adding a new account doesn't change anything about your existing account. You can customize settings for each account independently.