Where to find the email setting on Instagram
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Account and tap it. You will see Email listed there — tap it to change what email is connected to your account.
The exact location of these buttons can shift slightly depending on whether you use iPhone or Android, but the path is the same: profile → menu → settings → account → email. If you cannot find the email field after following these steps, make sure you are logged into the account you want to change. You cannot edit another person's account from your phone.
Instagram will ask you to enter your current password before letting you change the email. Have that ready. If you have forgotten your password, you will need to reset it first using the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen — Instagram will send a reset link to your current email address.
Key Takeaways
- You can change the email on your Instagram account from the Settings menu under Account, and Instagram will ask for your password to confirm the change.
- Instagram sends a confirmation email to your new address, and you must click the link in that email within a set time or the change will not go through.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, you may not be able to change it yourself and will need to contact Instagram support.
- Changing your email does not affect your username, password, or any of your posts — only the address Instagram uses to contact you and send password resets.
- You should update your email if you no longer use the old one, because anyone who gains access to that old email address could reset your Instagram password.
What happens after you enter the new email
Once you type in your new email address and tap the confirm button, Instagram sends a verification link to that new address. You must open that email and click the link to finish the change. If you do not click the link within the time Instagram allows, the new email will not be saved and your account will stay connected to the old one.
Check your spam or promotions folder if you do not see the email in your inbox. Instagram's verification emails sometimes end up there by mistake. If you still cannot find it after checking spam, go back to Instagram settings and try entering the new email again — this will send another verification link.
The entire process usually takes just a few minutes if you have access to both your old and new email addresses. If you are changing to an email you do not yet have set up, create that email account first, then come back to Instagram to make the change.
Why you might want to change your email
You may want to change your Instagram email if you no longer use the old one, if you switched email providers, or if you want to use a different email for your social accounts. The email address is how Instagram contacts you about account security, sends password reset links, and notifies you about unusual activity.
If someone else gains access to your old email address, they can use the "Forgot password?" button on Instagram to reset your password and lock you out of your own account. Updating to an email only you can access reduces that risk. This is especially important if you closed or abandoned an old email account — those addresses sometimes get reassigned to new users.
What to do if you cannot access your old email
If you no longer have access to the email address connected to your Instagram account, you cannot change it through the normal settings menu. Instagram will ask for your password, but it will also need to send a confirmation link to your new email, and the system may not let you proceed if something seems off.
Contact Instagram support by going to Settings → Help → Report a problem. Explain that you no longer have access to your old email and want to update it. Instagram support can sometimes verify your identity through other means — such as asking about your account history or having you take a photo with your ID — and then make the change for you. This process takes longer than the self-service method, sometimes a week or more.
Keep your response to Instagram support clear and factual. Include the email address you want to change to and explain why you no longer have access to the old one. Do not claim your account was hacked unless it actually was, because that triggers a different support process.
Keeping your new email find
Once you have changed your email, make sure you are the only person who can access it. Use a strong, unique password for that email account — not the same password you use for Instagram or other sites. If that email account is compromised, someone could reset your Instagram password even if they do not know your Instagram password.
Turn on two-factor authentication for both your email account and your Instagram account. For Instagram, go to Settings → Account → Two-factor authentication and choose whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authenticator app. Two-factor authentication means that even if someone has your password, they cannot log in without a code only you can receive.
Changing your email on Instagram desktop
If you use Instagram on a computer instead of a phone, the steps are similar. Log in to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and click Settings. Click Edit profile and scroll down to find the email field. Enter your new email, click Change email, and confirm your password when asked. Instagram will send a verification link to your new email just as it does on the phone app.
The desktop version sometimes loads a bit slower, so give the page a moment to fully load before looking for the email field. If you see a message saying you cannot change your email right now, wait a few minutes and try again — Instagram occasionally locks account changes temporarily for security reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my email affect my Instagram username or password?
No. Your username, password, and all your posts stay exactly the same. Changing your email only updates the address Instagram uses to contact you and to send password reset links. Your followers will not see any change, and you will not be logged out.
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
It is usually when ready once you click the confirmation link in the verification email. If you do not click that link, the change never happens and your account stays connected to your old email. The verification email itself arrives within a few minutes of you requesting the change.
What if I enter the wrong email by mistake?
If you realize you made a typo before clicking the confirmation link, just go back to Settings and try again with the correct email. Instagram will send a new verification link. If you already clicked the confirmation link for the wrong email, you will need to change it again to fix it.
Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?
Yes, one email address can be connected to more than one Instagram account. However, if you forget your password on one account, the password reset will go to that shared email, so make sure you can access it from whichever account you are trying to recover.
What should I do if I never received the verification email?
Check your spam and promotions folders first. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and try changing your email again — this sends a new verification link. If you still do not receive it, the email address you entered might be invalid or already connected to another account. Try a different email address, or contact Instagram support if you believe there is a technical problem.