Where to find your birthday setting on Instagram
Your birthday on Instagram lives in your profile settings, not on your public profile page. Instagram hides this information from other users by default — only you and Instagram can see it. To reach it, open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or click your profile picture in the top right on desktop.
From the menu, select "Settings and privacy," then tap "Account information." You'll see a section labeled "Personal information" that contains your birthday field. This is the only place on Instagram where you can change the date you entered when you created your account.
Key Takeaways
- Your birthday is stored in Account Information under Settings and Privacy, and only you can see it unless you choose to display it publicly.
- You can change your birthday once every 60 days, so plan ahead if you need to correct it.
- Instagram uses your birthday to enforce age restrictions on certain features and to show you age-appropriate content.
- If you entered a fake birthday when creating your account, you can update it to your real date, but you'll need to wait two months before changing it again.
The step-by-step process for updating your birthday
Tap on the birthday field where your current date appears. Instagram will open a date picker with three scrollable wheels — one for the month, one for the day, and one for the year. Scroll each wheel to select the correct month, day, and year of your birth. The year wheel scrolls backward, so you may need to scroll for several seconds if you're entering a date from many years ago.
Once you've set all three values, tap "Done" or the checkmark button (depending on your device). Instagram will save the change when ready. You'll see your new birthday displayed in the Personal Information section. If you made a mistake, you can change it again right away — the 60-day waiting period only applies after you've confirmed a change.
Understanding Instagram's 60-day change limit
After you confirm a birthday change, you cannot change it again for 60 days. This limit exists to prevent account abuse and to keep your age-related settings stable. If you realize you made a typo when ready after saving, you have a brief window to undo the change before it locks — look for an "Undo" option that appears briefly after you tap Done.
If you've already waited out the 60 days and need to change your birthday again, the system will let you proceed. Mark your calendar or set a phone reminder if you know you'll need to make another change, since Instagram won't warn you when the waiting period ends.
Why Instagram asks for your birthday
Instagram requires a birthday for several reasons. First, it enforces age restrictions — users under 13 cannot have accounts in most countries, and certain features like ads and messaging have different rules for users under 18. Second, Instagram uses your age to show you content and ads that match your age group. Third, some features like Instagram Shop and certain creator tools have age minimums.
Your birthday also determines whether Instagram shows you a birthday reminder on your profile each year. If you want Instagram to acknowledge your birthday with a notification, make sure your date is correct. The birthday itself remains private unless you choose to display it on your public profile — that's a separate setting in your profile editing page.
Making your birthday visible on your public profile
By default, only you see your birthday. If you want to display it publicly so friends can see when you were born, go to your profile and tap "Edit profile." Scroll down to find the "Birthday" field and toggle it on. This will show your birth month and day on your profile, but not the year — Instagram keeps your birth year private even if you choose to display the date publicly.
You can turn this visibility on and off anytime without waiting for the 60-day period. The change limit only applies to the actual birthday date itself, not to whether it's shown or hidden. If you later decide you don't want your birthday visible, return to Edit Profile and toggle it off.
What to do if you can't find the birthday field
If you're looking at your profile and don't see a birthday option in Edit Profile, you may be looking at the wrong section. The birthday field in Account Information (under Settings and Privacy) is separate from the birthday display on your public profile. The Account Information section is where you change the actual date; the Edit Profile section is where you choose whether to show it.
If you're using an older version of the Instagram app, the layout may look slightly different. Make sure your app is updated to the latest version from your device's app store. On desktop, the process is the same — go to Settings and Privacy, then Account Information, and look for Personal Information. If the birthday field still doesn't appear, try logging out and back in, or reinstalling the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my birthday more than once every 60 days?
No. Instagram enforces a 60-day waiting period between changes. If you need to correct a mistake, do it right away before confirming, or wait 60 days from your last confirmed change. There is no way to bypass this limit or request an exception.
Will changing my birthday affect my account or posts?
Changing your birthday will not delete any posts, followers, or account data. It only updates the age Instagram uses to determine which features and ads you see. Your followers won't be notified of the change unless you have your birthday displayed publicly.
What happens if I entered a fake birthday when I signed up?
You can update it to your real birthday anytime. If Instagram detects that you're underage based on your real birthday, it may restrict certain features, but it won't delete your account. Update your birthday to the correct date so Instagram can show you age-appropriate content.
Can other people see my birthday?
No, unless you turn on the birthday display in your Edit Profile settings. Even then, only your birth month and day show — your birth year stays hidden. Your birthday in Account Information is visible only to you and Instagram's systems.
What if I don't remember my exact birthday?
Enter your best estimate. You can change it again after 60 days if you remember the correct date later. If you're trying to recover an account and don't remember the birthday you used, contact Instagram's support through the Help Center and explain the situation.