Change your password in Instagram's settings in under two minutes

Open Instagram on your phone or computer, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select Settings and Privacy. Choose Password and Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current password, type your new password twice, and tap Change Password again. Instagram will log you out of all other devices once you confirm the change.

If you are on a computer instead of a phone, the steps are the same: profile icon, Settings and Privacy, Password and Security, Change Password. The menu location does not change between devices.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Instagram password from your phone or computer by going to Settings and Privacy, then Password and Security.
  • Instagram will ask for your current password before letting you set a new one, so you need to remember what it is now.
  • After you change your password, Instagram automatically logs you out of every other device, which means you will need to log back in on your phone, tablet, or computer.
  • A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — avoid birthdays, names, or words that appear in a dictionary.
  • If you cannot remember your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen instead of trying to change it from Settings.

What to do if you forgot your current password

If you do not remember your current password, you cannot use the Change Password option in Settings. Instead, log out of Instagram completely, go to the login screen, and tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username, email address, or phone number. Instagram will send you a link to reset your password — check the email address or phone number connected to your account.

The reset link usually arrives within a few minutes. Click it, create a new password, and log back in. This route works even if you have not logged in for months or if you are locked out of your account.

Why Instagram logs you out of other devices

When you change your password, Instagram automatically ends your login sessions on every other phone, tablet, or computer where you were signed in. This is a security feature — if someone else had access to your account on another device, changing your password removes that access when ready.

You will see a notification on each device saying you have been logged out. You can log back in right away with your new password. If you see a logout notification on a device you do not recognize, it means someone else may have had access to your account, and changing your password was the right move.

Creating a password that is hard to guess

A strong Instagram password uses at least 12 characters and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or @. Avoid passwords based on your birthday, your name, your username, or words that appear in a dictionary. Do not use the same password across multiple accounts — if one site gets hacked, a hacker can try that password on Instagram, email, and banking sites.

A password like "BlueMountain2024!" is weaker than it looks because it uses a common phrase and the current year. A password like "7kR#mQ2vPx9nL" is stronger because it has no pattern a person or computer can guess. If you have trouble remembering a complex password, use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to store it securely.

Checking which devices are logged into your account

Go to Settings and Privacy, then tap Security and Login. You will see a list of all phones, tablets, and computers currently logged into your Instagram account, along with the location and last active time for each one. If you see a device you do not recognize, tap it and select Log Out.

This list updates in real time, so if you change your password and then check Security and Login, you will see that all the old sessions have been removed. Only the device you are currently using will remain logged in.

Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security

Changing your password is important, but two-factor authentication makes your account much harder to break into. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Security and Login, and turn on Two-Factor Authentication. Instagram will ask you to choose between text message codes or an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy.

Once you turn it on, anyone trying to log into your account from a new device will need to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password. Even if someone knows your password, they cannot get in without that code. This takes less than a minute to set up and protects your account far more than a password change alone.

What happens if you change your password multiple times

Instagram does not limit how often you can change your password, so you can do it as many times as you want. Some people change their password every few months as a precaution, and Instagram supports this. Each time you change it, you will be logged out of all other devices again.

If you change your password and then when ready realize you made a typo, you can change it again right away. There is no waiting period or cooldown between password changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password delete my photos or messages?

No. Changing your password only updates your login credentials. Your photos, messages, followers, and all other account data stay exactly as they are. The only thing that changes is that you will need to log back in on other devices.

Can I change my password on Instagram's website instead of the app?

Yes. Go to instagram.com, log in, click your profile icon in the top right, select Settings and Privacy, then Password and Security. The steps are identical to the phone app version.

What if I change my password but still cannot log back in?

Try resetting your password again using the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen. If that does not work, check that you are using the correct username or email address. If you still cannot log in after multiple attempts, Instagram may temporarily lock your account for security reasons — wait a few hours and try again.

Do I need to tell Instagram why I am changing my password?

No. Instagram does not ask why you are changing your password, and you do not need to provide a reason. You can change it whenever you want without explanation.

If I change my password, will my saved login information on my phone update automatically?

No. Your phone will still have the old password saved. After you change your password, you will need to log back in manually, and then your phone will ask if you want to save the new password. Say yes, and your phone will update the saved information.