What you need before you start

You need three things to create an Instagram account: a working email address or phone number, a password you have not used elsewhere, and a username. Instagram will ask for your full name, but you can change it later — the username is what people search for and see publicly. If you already have a Facebook account, Instagram can pull your name and profile picture from there, which saves a step.

Before you choose a username, think about what you want it to be. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Instagram does not allow spaces. Once you pick a username, you can change it later, but if someone else takes it in the meantime, you cannot get it back. If the username you want is taken, Instagram will suggest alternatives when you try to claim it.

Have your password written down somewhere safe before you start — not in a note on your phone, but in a password manager or a physical notebook. You will need to remember it to log in later, and if you forget it, you will have to go through a recovery process using your email or phone number.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an email address or phone number, a unique username, and a strong password that you do not use on other websites.
  • Instagram lets you sign up through the app, the website, or by connecting your Facebook account — all three methods create the same account.
  • After you create your account, you should add a profile picture and a bio so people know who you are.
  • Turn on two-factor authentication in Settings to prevent someone else from logging in with your password.
  • Your account is public by default, meaning anyone can see your posts — change this in Settings if you want to control who follows you.

Signing up through the Instagram app

Open the Instagram app on your phone or tablet. If you do not have it yet, read it from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). When you open the app for the first time, you will see a screen with a button that says "Create new account" at the bottom. Tap that button.

Enter your email address or phone number in the first field. Instagram will send you a code to verify that you own that email or number — this is a security step to make sure someone else is not signing up pretending to be you. Check your email inbox or text messages for a six-digit code and enter it when Instagram asks.

Next, Instagram will ask for your full name. This is what appears on your profile, but it does not have to be your real name — you can use a nickname, a business name, or anything else. Then create a password. Make it at least eight characters long and use a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not use a password you have used on other websites.

Choose your username. This is the handle people will use to find you and mention you in comments. Check if it is available by typing it in. If someone else has already taken it, Instagram will show you similar options. Once you pick one that is available, tap Next.

Signing up through the Instagram website

Go to instagram.com in your web browser. Click "Create a new account" on the login page. You will see a form with fields for email, full name, username, and password. Fill in each field the same way you would in the app — email or phone number, your name, a unique username, and a strong password.

After you submit the form, Instagram will send a verification code to your email or phone. Enter that code on the next screen. Once you verify, your account is created and you can log in when ready.

The website version works exactly the same as the app version. Some people find it easier to type on a computer keyboard, especially when choosing a username, but the account you create is identical either way.

Using your Facebook account to sign up

If you already have a Facebook account, you can use it to create an Instagram account faster. Open Instagram and tap "Create new account" (in the app) or click "Create a new account" (on the website). Look for a button that says "Log in with Facebook" or "Sign up with Facebook".

Tap or click that button. Facebook will ask you to confirm that you want to let Instagram use your Facebook information. Click Confirm. Instagram will automatically pull your name and profile picture from Facebook and create your account. You still need to choose a username and set a password, but the email verification step is skipped because Facebook already verified your identity.

This method is faster, but it links your Instagram and Facebook accounts. If you later want to unlink them, you can do that in Instagram Settings under Accounts Center. Unlinking does not delete either account — it just disconnects them.

Setting up your profile after creating your account

Once your account is created, Instagram will ask if you want to add a profile picture. You can skip this and do it later, but having a picture makes your account look real to other people. Tap "Add photo" and choose a picture from your phone, or take a new one with your camera. Instagram will let you crop and adjust it before you save it.

Next, add a bio. This is a short description of who you are or what your account is about — it appears below your username on your profile. You have 150 characters, which is about two sentences. If you are setting up a personal account, you might write something like "Dog lover, coffee addict, based in Portland." If it is a business account, you might write "Handmade jewelry — custom orders welcome — DM for pricing."

You can also add a link to a website in your bio. This is useful if you have a blog, a business website, or a link you want people to visit. Tap "Edit profile" and paste the link in the Website field. Instagram will make it clickable so people can tap it from your profile.

Turning on security features right away

Before you start posting or following people, turn on two-factor authentication. This means Instagram will ask for a second form of proof when you try to log in — usually a code from an app on your phone or a text message. Even if someone guesses your password, they cannot get into your account without that second code.

Go to Settings (the gear icon or three horizontal lines, depending on your phone). Tap Security, then Two-Factor Authentication. Choose whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. An app is more find because text messages can be intercepted, but text is fine if you do not want to read another app. Save your backup codes in a safe place — if you lose access to your phone, you will need these codes to get back into your account.

While you are in Settings, check your Privacy settings. Your account is public by default, which means anyone can see your posts and follow you without your permission. If you want to control who follows you, tap Privacy and change your account to Private. With a private account, people have to send you a follow request and you have to approve them before they can see your posts.

What to do if you cannot create an account

If Instagram says your email address is already in use, you either created an account before and forgot about it, or someone else signed up with that email. Try logging in with that email and your password. If you do not remember the password, tap "Forgot password?" and Instagram will send you a recovery link to your email.

If the email is not yours and someone else used it, you can report it to Instagram. Go to the login screen, tap "Forgot password?", enter the email address, and tap "Need more help?". Instagram will walk you through proving that you own that email address. Once you prove it, Instagram can help you regain control of the account or create a new one with that email.

If Instagram says your username is taken, try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique — for example, if "sarah.photography" is taken, try "sarah.photography2024" or "sarah_photography_". You can always change your username later once you have created the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Instagram account without an email address?

No, you need either an email address or a phone number to create an account. Instagram uses one of these to verify that you are a real person and to send you password recovery codes if you get locked out. You can use any email address, including a free one from Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo.

Can I change my username after I create my account?

Yes, you can change your username as many times as you want. Go to Settings, tap Edit Profile, and change the username field. If the new username you want is taken, Instagram will tell you and you can try a different one. You can change it back to your original username anytime, as long as no one else has claimed it in the meantime.

What is the difference between my name and my username?

Your name is what appears at the top of your profile and in search results — it can be your real name, a nickname, or anything else, and you can change it anytime. Your username is your handle, the thing people type to find you or mention you in comments. Usernames are harder to change because if you change it, someone else might claim your old one.

Do I need a separate account for my business?

You can use a personal account for a business, but Instagram offers a Business account type that gives you extra tools like contact buttons, analytics, and the ability to run ads. You can convert your personal account to a Business account anytime in Settings without losing any of your posts or followers. You do not need a separate email address — the same account can switch between personal and business mode.

What should I do if I forget my password?

Go to the Instagram login screen and tap "Forgot password?". Enter your email address or username. Instagram will send a recovery link to your email. Click that link and create a new password. If you do not have access to the email address you used to sign up, tap "Need more help?" and Instagram will ask you to verify your identity using your phone number or by answering security questions.