How to change your email on Instagram
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) at the top right, then tap Settings and privacy. Tap Account center, then Personal information, then Account ownership and control. Tap Email and enter your new email address. Instagram will send a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses — you must click the link in the new email to complete the change.
The whole process takes about five minutes if you have access to both email inboxes. If you cannot access your old email anymore, you can still change it, but Instagram will ask you to verify your identity another way — usually by uploading a photo of your ID or answering security questions you set up when you created the account.
Key Takeaways
- You change your email through Settings and privacy > Account center > Personal information > Account ownership and control > Email, not through a general settings page.
- Instagram sends confirmation links to both your old and new email addresses, so you need access to the new email to finish the change.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, Instagram can verify your identity through a photo ID or security questions instead.
- Changing your email does not affect your username, followers, posts, or any other part of your account — only the login credential changes.
Why you might need to change your email
You may change your email because you no longer use the old one, you are switching email providers, or you want to use a different email for security reasons. Some people change their email when they realize they used a work email for a personal account, or when they want to move away from an email address that has been compromised in a data breach.
If you are changing your email because you suspect your account has been hacked or because someone else knows your password, changing the email is a smart first step — it makes it harder for someone else to reset your password or lock you out. However, you should also change your Instagram password at the same time.
What happens if you cannot access your old email
If your old email no longer exists or you cannot log into it, you can still change your email address, but the process takes longer. When you try to confirm the change, Instagram will notice that you did not click the confirmation link in your old email and will ask you to verify your identity another way.
Instagram usually offers two paths: upload a clear photo of your government ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card), or answer security questions you set up when you created your account. The photo ID route is faster — Instagram typically reviews it within a few hours to a few days. If you do not have a government ID or do not remember your security questions, you can contact Instagram's support team, though response times vary.
Changing your email on the Instagram app versus the website
The steps are nearly identical whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer. On the app, you tap the menu icon and navigate through Settings. On the website, you click your profile picture in the top right, then click Settings, and follow the same path through Account center and Personal information.
Some people find it easier to do on a computer because the screen is larger and it is simpler to switch between tabs to check both email inboxes at once. However, the app works just as well — the only real difference is how you navigate the menus.
Protecting your account while you change your email
When you change your email, take a moment to check your account security at the same time. Go to Settings and privacy > Security and look at Login activity — this shows you every device that has logged into your account recently. If you see a location or device you do not recognize, tap it and select Log out to remove that session.
While you are in the Security section, check your Saved logins and passwords to make sure no one else has added a backup email or phone number to your account. If your account was compromised, someone may have added their own recovery email so they can lock you out later. If you see anything unfamiliar, remove it when ready.
What to do if Instagram will not let you change your email
Instagram sometimes blocks email changes if it thinks your account is at risk or if you have changed your email too many times recently. If you see an error message saying you cannot change your email right now, wait 24 to 48 hours and try again — the block usually lifts on its own.
If the error persists, or if you see a message saying the email is already associated with another Instagram account, you have a few options. If the email truly is yours and you own both accounts, you can contact Instagram support and explain the situation — they can sometimes merge accounts or remove the email from the other account. If someone else is using your email on another account without your permission, report it to Instagram as a hacked account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my email affect my username or followers?
No. Your email is only a login credential and a way for Instagram to contact you. Your username, profile picture, followers, posts, and everything else on your account stays exactly the same. Only the email address you use to log in changes.
Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?
No. Each Instagram account must have its own unique email address. If you try to use an email that is already attached to another account, Instagram will not let you complete the change. You would need to remove the email from the other account first, or use a different email for this account.
How long does it take to change my email?
If you can access both your old and new email inboxes, the change is when ready once you click the confirmation link. If you need to verify your identity with a photo ID instead, Instagram usually reviews it within a few hours to a few days, depending on how busy they are.
What if I change my email and then forget my password?
You can still reset your password using your new email address. Go to the Instagram login page, tap Forgot password?, enter your username or new email, and Instagram will send a reset link to your new email. This is actually one reason people change their email — so they can reset their password if they get locked out.
Can I change my email back to the old one later?
Yes. You can change your email as many times as you want, as long as you do not change it too frequently (Instagram blocks rapid changes to prevent account takeovers). If you change it back within a few days, you should not run into any problems.