You can create a second Instagram account using the same email, phone number, or a different one entirely

Instagram lets you add up to five accounts to a single app installation on your phone or computer. You do not need a separate email address for each one — you can use the same email for multiple accounts, or use different emails, or mix the two. The fastest way is to open Instagram, go to your profile, and tap the menu icon, then select "Accounts" and "Add account". From there you choose whether to sign up with a new username or log into an existing account you already own.

The process takes about two minutes. You will need either an email address, a phone number, or a username and password if you are logging into an account you created before. Instagram will ask you to verify that you own the email or phone number — they send a code you type back in. After that, you can switch between your accounts without logging out and back in each time.

Key Takeaways

  • You can add up to five Instagram accounts to the same app, and you can switch between them without logging out.
  • Each account needs its own username, but they can all use the same email address or phone number for recovery purposes.
  • Instagram will send a verification code to confirm you own the email or phone number you provide during setup.
  • If you plan to use the account for a different purpose (work, a hobby, a business), keep the login details separate from your main account password.
  • You can delete a second account at any time from the account settings menu without affecting your main account.

Creating a new account versus logging into an existing one

When you tap "Add account" in Instagram, you get two paths: "Create new account" or "Log into existing account". Choose "Create new account" if you do not already have a second Instagram username. Instagram will ask for a name, username, email or phone number, and birthdate. The username is what other people see and what you use to log in — it must be unique across all of Instagram, so if the one you want is taken, you will need to pick something else.

Choose "Log into existing account" if you already created a second account before but are now adding it to this device. You will need the username and password for that account. This is useful if you set up an account on a computer or a different phone and now want to access it from your main phone as well.

Email and phone number requirements

Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create an account. You can use the same email for multiple accounts — Instagram does not prevent this. Many people use their main email for both their personal and work accounts, or their personal and hobby accounts. The email is primarily for account recovery: if you forget your password, Instagram sends a reset link to that email.

If you use the same email for two accounts, make sure you remember which username goes with which account, because Instagram will not show you the email when you are logging in. Write down the usernames somewhere safe if you think you might forget. You can also use a phone number instead of an email, or add a phone number as a backup recovery method in the account settings after you create the account.

Keeping your accounts separate and find

If your second account serves a different purpose — a business account, a hobby account, a professional portfolio — use a different password than your main account. This way, if someone guesses or steals the password to one account, they cannot automatically access the other. Write the passwords down in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password, or in a notebook you keep in a safe place at home.

Do not share the login details for your second account with anyone unless you have a specific reason to do so. If you run a business account and want a coworker to post on it, Instagram offers a "Business" account type with a "Roles" feature that lets you add people with limited permissions — they can post and respond to messages without knowing your password. This is much safer than sharing the login.

Switching between accounts on your phone

Once you have added a second account, switching between them is straightforward. Open Instagram, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, and look at the top of the screen — you will see your current username. Tap it, and a menu appears showing all the accounts you have added to this app. Tap the one you want to switch to. You stay logged in to all of them, so switching takes about one second.

You can add up to five accounts this way. Each one stays logged in until you manually log it out. If you are worried about someone else picking up your phone and accessing your second account, you can log out of just that account without logging out of your main one — tap the account name at the top, then tap "Log out" at the bottom of the menu.

Switching between accounts on a computer

On a desktop or laptop, go to Instagram.com and log in with your first account. Once you are logged in, click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click "Switch accounts". A menu appears with any accounts you have previously logged into on this computer. Click the one you want to switch to. If the account you want is not listed, click "Log into a different account" and enter the username and password.

Unlike the phone app, Instagram on the web does not keep you logged into multiple accounts at the same time. You have to switch one at a time. If you want to keep both accounts open at the same time on a computer, use two different web browsers — log into your first account in Chrome and your second account in Firefox, for example. That way you can have both open in different windows.

What to do if you forget which account is which

If you have added multiple accounts and cannot remember which username goes with which purpose, go to your profile on each account and look at the bio and profile picture. The bio is usually where people write a short description — a work account might say "Marketing Manager at XYZ Company" while a hobby account might say "Photography and travel". The profile picture is often different too.

If the bios do not help, check the "Posts" tab on each account. Your main personal account probably has photos of you or your life, while a second account might have only business content, art, or hobby photos. You can also check the "Followers" list — your main account probably has people you actually know, while a secondary account might have followers related to its specific purpose.

Deleting a second account if you no longer need it

If you decide you no longer want a second account, you can delete it. On the phone app, tap your profile icon, then the menu icon, then "Settings and privacy", then "Account", then "Deactivate or delete account". Choose "Delete account" and follow the steps. Instagram will ask you to enter your password to confirm. The account will be gone permanently after 30 days — during those 30 days, you can change your mind and reactivate it by logging back in.

On a computer, go to Instagram.com, log into the account you want to delete, click your profile icon, click "Settings and privacy", click "Account", then click "Deactivate or delete account". Choose "Delete account" and confirm with your password. The same 30-day window applies — you can reactivate by logging in during that time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same phone number for two Instagram accounts?

Yes. You can use the same phone number or email for multiple accounts. Instagram uses these for account recovery, not to enforce one-per-person rules. Just remember which username goes with which account, since the phone number will not be visible when you log in.

What happens if I forget the password to my second account?

Go to the Instagram login page, enter the username, and click "Forgot password?". Instagram will send a reset link to the email or phone number associated with that account. If you no longer have access to that email or phone, you can use other recovery methods like answering security questions or uploading a photo of your ID.

Can someone else log into my second account if they know the username?

No. They would also need the password. Knowing the username alone is not enough to log in. If you are worried about someone guessing your password, use a strong one — at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols — and do not use the same password as your main account.

Do I need a separate phone number or email for each account?

No. You can use the same email or phone number for all five accounts if you want. The email or phone is only for account recovery. What matters is that each account has a unique username and password.

Can I have two accounts open at the same time on my phone?

Not in the same app window. You can only view one account at a time on the phone app. But you can switch between them when ready by tapping your username at the top of your profile. If you need both open simultaneously, use two different phones or use a computer with two browsers.