You can link Facebook and Instagram through Facebook's settings, and it takes about five minutes

Facebook and Instagram are both owned by Meta, so linking them is straightforward. When you link the accounts, you can cross-post content to both platforms at once, manage both inboxes from one place, and use the same login for both apps. The link happens in Facebook's settings, not Instagram's — that's the part people often miss.

Before you start, make sure you have admin access to both accounts. If someone else manages either account, you'll need to ask them first, because linking requires changing settings that only account owners can touch.

Key Takeaways

  • You link the accounts through Facebook's settings on a computer or phone, not through Instagram.
  • Both accounts must be registered under the same email address or phone number, or you'll need to change one first.
  • Linking lets you post to both platforms at once, but you can turn this off for individual posts if you want.
  • Once linked, you can see messages from both Facebook and Instagram in one inbox, though you can mute notifications from either platform.
  • You can unlink the accounts anytime without losing either account or its history.

Check that both accounts use the same email or phone number

Facebook and Instagram need to recognize you as the same person. The easiest way is if both accounts are registered to the same email address or phone number. If they're not, you'll need to change one of them first.

To check your Facebook account's email, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Personal Information > Email. To check Instagram, go to your profile > menu > Settings and Privacy > Account Center > Personal Information. Write down what you see. If they match, you can skip to the next section. If they don't, change the Instagram email to match the Facebook one — Instagram's change is faster and less likely to trigger security alerts.

Link the accounts through Facebook's settings

Open Facebook on a computer or phone and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings. On the left side, look for a section called "Meta apps and websites" or "Connected apps" — the exact name varies by phone type and Facebook version. Click or tap it.

You should see Instagram listed. Tap or click "Connect" or "Link" next to it. Facebook will ask you to confirm your Instagram password. Type it in. You'll see a confirmation screen saying the accounts are now linked. That's it — you're done.

If you don't see Instagram in that list, scroll down to make sure it's not further down the page. If it still doesn't appear, sign out of both accounts completely, wait five minutes, and try again. Sometimes the menu takes a moment to refresh.

What you can do once the accounts are linked

Once linked, you can post to both platforms at the same time. When you create a post on Facebook, you'll see a checkbox that says "Also post to Instagram" or similar wording. Check it, and the same post goes to both feeds. You can add different captions for each platform if you want — Facebook lets you write separate text for Instagram before you post.

You can also see messages from both accounts in one inbox. Go to your Facebook messages, and you should see a tab or filter for Instagram messages. You can reply to Instagram messages from Facebook without switching apps. If you don't want to see Instagram messages in Facebook, you can turn this off in Settings > Inbox > Message Requests or similar, depending on your phone.

Your Stories can also cross-post. When you create a Story on Facebook, you'll see an option to share it to Instagram at the same time. Stories disappear after 24 hours on both platforms, so this is useful if you post regularly.

Control what gets shared between the accounts

Linking doesn't mean everything automatically posts to both places. You choose which posts go where, one at a time. Before you hit "Share" or "Post" on Facebook, look for the checkbox about Instagram. If you don't check it, that post stays on Facebook only.

You can also change your default. Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Meta apps and websites > Instagram, and look for options about auto-posting or default sharing. Some versions let you turn off cross-posting entirely, so you have to manually choose each time. Others let you set it to "always post to both" — but you can still override it for individual posts.

If you change your mind about a post after it's live on both platforms, you have to delete it separately from each account. Deleting it from Facebook doesn't delete it from Instagram, and vice versa.

Unlink the accounts if you change your mind

You can unlink Facebook and Instagram anytime without losing either account or any of your posts. Go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Meta apps and websites > Instagram, and look for "Disconnect" or "Unlink". Tap it and confirm. Both accounts stay active and separate — nothing is deleted.

Unlinking takes effect when ready. Any posts you made while the accounts were linked stay on both platforms, but new posts won't cross over. You'll need to post to each platform separately again.

Security things to think about when linking accounts

Linking your accounts means anyone who gets into one account can potentially see both. If someone guesses your Facebook password, they can see your Instagram messages and posts without needing a separate Instagram password. For this reason, use a strong password on both accounts — something at least 12 characters long, with numbers and symbols mixed in.

Turn on two-factor authentication for both accounts. On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Security and Login > Two-Factor Authentication. On Instagram, go to Settings and Privacy > Security > Two-Factor Authentication. This means even if someone has your password, they can't get in without a code from your phone. It takes an extra 10 seconds to log in, but it stops most account takeovers.

If you share a phone or computer with someone else, be careful about staying logged in. Anyone with physical access to your phone can see your messages and posts. Log out when you're done, or use a private browsing mode if your phone supports it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the same password for both accounts?

No. You can use different passwords for Facebook and Instagram. In fact, using different passwords is safer — if one password leaks, the other account stays protected. The accounts just need to be registered to the same email or phone number to link them.

Can I link Facebook and Instagram if they're under different names?

No. Both accounts need to be registered to the same email address or phone number. If they're under different names, you'll need to change the name on one of them first. You can change your name in Settings > Personal Information on either platform.

What happens to my messages when I link the accounts?

Old messages stay where they are. Messages you received on Instagram before linking stay in Instagram. Messages you received on Facebook stay in Facebook. After you link, new messages from both platforms show up in one inbox, but you can still see which platform each message came from.

If I unlink the accounts, do I lose my posts?

No. All your posts stay on both platforms. Unlinking just stops new posts from automatically going to both places. You'll have to post to each platform separately after that.

Can someone see my Instagram if they only have my Facebook password?

Yes, once the accounts are linked. They can see your Instagram messages and posts from Facebook without needing your Instagram password separately. This is why two-factor authentication on both accounts matters — it protects both at once.