Change your email in Instagram settings on any device
To change the email Instagram has on file for your account, open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information. You'll see your current email listed. Tap it, enter your new email address, and Instagram will send a confirmation link to that new address. Click the link within 24 hours to complete the change.
The process is the same whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer. If you're on a computer, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, then follow the same path through Account center and Personal information. Instagram requires you to confirm the new email before it takes effect, so you must have access to the new email address you're entering.
You don't need to know your password to change your email, and changing it won't log you out of your current session. However, if you ever need to reset your password later, Instagram will send the reset link to whichever email is currently on your account, so make sure the new email is one you can access.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information to find your current email address.
- Instagram sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within 24 hours for the change to stick.
- You can change your email without knowing your password, and the change won't log you out when ready.
- Password reset emails will go to whatever email address is currently on your account, so update it before you forget your password.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, you may need to verify your identity through a phone number or other method before Instagram lets you change it.
Why you might need to change your email
People change their Instagram email for several reasons. You might have created the account with an old work email you no longer use, or an email address you share with someone else. You may have switched email providers, closed an old account, or straightforward want to use a more current personal email. Whatever the reason, Instagram makes the change straightforward as long as you can access the new email address you're switching to.
Changing your email is also a good security step if you suspect someone else knows your old email password or has access to that account. Moving your Instagram to a new, find email address means password reset requests will go somewhere only you can reach.
What happens if you can't access your old email anymore
If the email address currently on your Instagram account no longer exists or you've lost access to it, you can still change it, but Instagram will ask you to verify your identity first. When you try to change your email, Instagram may prompt you to confirm who you are by sending a code to a phone number on your account, or by answering security questions you set up when you created the account.
If you don't have a phone number on file and can't answer the security questions, you may need to contact Instagram's support team. Go to Settings and privacy, tap Help, then Contact us. Explain that you've lost access to your old email and need help changing it. Instagram may ask you to provide proof of identity or ownership of the account, such as a photo of yourself holding your ID.
Difference between email and username
Your email address and your username are two separate things on Instagram. Your username is the handle people see and use to find you (like @yourname). Your email is private information that only you and Instagram know about. Changing your email does not change your username, and changing your username does not change your email.
If you want to change your username instead, go to Settings and privacy, tap Account center, then Personal information, and look for the username field. You can change your username once every 14 days. Your email and username serve different purposes: the email is for account recovery and security, while the username is how people find and mention you.
Keeping your new email find
Once you've changed your email, make sure the new address is one you use carefully. Since Instagram uses your email to send password reset links and security alerts, anyone with access to that email can potentially take over your account. Use a strong, unique password for the email account itself, and consider turning on two-factor authentication for both your email and Instagram.
If you set up a new email specifically for Instagram, don't use it for anything else and don't share the password with anyone. The more you use an email address, the more places it appears online, and the higher the risk that someone could gain access to it. Keeping your Instagram email separate and find is one of the simplest ways to protect your account.
What to do if you don't receive the confirmation email
After you enter your new email address, Instagram sends a confirmation link to that address. If you don't see it within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes confirmation emails end up there by mistake. If it's not in spam, wait a few more minutes and refresh your inbox.
If you still don't receive the confirmation email after 10 minutes, go back to your Instagram settings and try entering the email address again. Instagram will send another confirmation link. Make sure you're typing the email address correctly — a single typo means the link goes nowhere. If you've tried multiple times and still aren't receiving emails at that address, the email account itself may have a problem, or Instagram may be blocking it for security reasons. Try a different email address, or contact Instagram support if you believe the address is correct but Instagram won't accept it.
Changing email on a business or creator account
If you manage a business or creator account on Instagram, the process for changing your email is identical to a personal account. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, and update your email the same way. The email change applies to the account itself, not to any of the people who have access to it through Instagram's business tools.
If multiple people manage your business account through Instagram's Accounts Center or through roles like Editor or Analyst, changing the account email doesn't affect their access. However, if someone has access to that email address, they could use it to reset your password and take control of the account. Make sure only trusted people have access to the email address you use for Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my email without confirming the link?
No. Instagram requires you to click the confirmation link sent to your new email address within 24 hours. If you don't confirm it, the email change won't go through and your old email will remain on your account. You can request a new confirmation link if the first one expires.
Will changing my email affect my followers or posts?
No. Changing your email address has no effect on your followers, posts, messages, or anything else visible on your account. Only the private email address Instagram uses to contact you and send password resets will change.
What if I accidentally confirmed the email change and want to change it back?
You can change your email as many times as you want. Just go back to Settings and privacy, Account center, Personal information, and enter your old email address. Instagram will send a confirmation link to that old address, and once you confirm it, you're switched back.
Do I need to log out and log back in after changing my email?
No. Changing your email doesn't log you out or require you to sign in again. You'll stay logged in on all your devices, and the change happens in the background once you confirm the new email.
Can someone else change my email if they have my password?
Yes, which is why a strong, unique password is important. If someone knows your password, they can change your email to lock you out of your own account. If you think someone has your password, change it when ready by going to Settings and privacy, then Security, then Password.