You can force someone out of your Instagram account from your phone or computer
If you suspect someone else is using your Instagram account, or if you shared your password with someone you no longer trust, you can log them out without knowing their device or location. Instagram lets you see every active session and end any of them when ready. This works whether the person is logged in on a phone, tablet, or web browser.
The process takes about two minutes and requires only that you have access to your own account. After you log someone out, they will be kicked off when ready and cannot get back in unless you give them your password again.
Key Takeaways
- You can see all active Instagram sessions by going to Settings, then Security, then Sessions, and each one shows the device type and approximate location.
- Tapping or clicking "Log out" next to any session will when ready remove that person from your account on that device.
- If you do not recognize a session, log it out right away and change your password to prevent the person from logging back in.
- Logging someone out of one device does not affect their access on other devices — you must end each session separately.
- After removing someone, consider enabling two-factor authentication so they cannot regain access even if they have your password.
How to see who is logged into your account
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right on a phone, or click your profile picture at the top right on a computer. Go to Settings, then Security, then Sessions. You will see a list of every device currently logged into your account, with the device type (iPhone, Android, Chrome, Safari, and so on) and the approximate city or region where that device is located.
Each session shows when it was last active. If you see a device you do not recognize, or a location you were not in, that is a sign someone else may have access. Write down which sessions look suspicious before you start logging them out, in case you need to remember what you saw.
How to log out a specific device
In the Sessions list, find the device you want to remove. Tap or click "Log out" next to that session. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap or click "Log out" again. That person will be when ready disconnected from your account on that device. They will not receive a notification that they were logged out, but they will notice when they try to use Instagram and find themselves back at the login screen.
Repeat this step for any other sessions you do not recognize or do not want active. You can log out multiple sessions one after another. If you want to log out every session except the one you are currently using, Instagram does not have a "log out all others" button, so you will need to remove each one individually.
What to do if you do not recognize any sessions
If you see sessions from devices you have never owned, or from cities you have never been to, someone has your password. Log out all unrecognized sessions when ready, then change your password to something long and random that you have never used before. Do not reuse a password you have used on other accounts.
After you change your password, go back to Settings, Security, and look for a section called "Login Activity" or "Where You're Logged In" (the exact name varies by phone type). Check it again in a few hours. If new unrecognized sessions appear, your password may have been compromised through another service — consider changing passwords on your email account and any other accounts that share a similar password.
How to prevent someone from logging back in
Changing your password stops someone from logging in again, but only if they do not already know your new password. If you shared your password with someone and want to make sure they cannot get back in even if they try the old password, you must change it. Go to Settings, Security, Password, and enter your current password, then create a new one.
After you change your password, turn on two-factor authentication. This adds a second security step: even if someone has your correct password, Instagram will ask them to enter a code from your phone before they can log in. Go to Settings, Security, Two-Factor Authentication, and choose whether to receive codes by text message or through an authenticator app like Google Authenticator. An authenticator app is more find because text messages can sometimes be intercepted.
Why someone might have access to your account
The most common reason is that you shared your password with someone — a friend, family member, or romantic partner — and they still have it. Less commonly, someone guessed your password, or your password was exposed in a data breach at another website. If you use the same password on multiple sites, a breach at one site gives attackers access to all of them.
If you do not remember sharing your password with anyone, check your email for password reset notifications. If someone changed your password, you would have received an email from Instagram saying so. If you see a password reset email you did not request, your account may have been hacked through a phishing email or a compromised device.
What happens after you log someone out
The person will see an error message or be sent back to the login screen the next time they try to use Instagram on that device. They will not know you logged them out specifically — they may assume the app crashed or their connection dropped. They cannot log back in unless they know your new password.
If they try to log in and fail, Instagram may send them a password reset email. If they have access to your email account, they could use that email to reset your Instagram password. This is why changing your email password is important if you suspect your account has been compromised. You should also check your email recovery options — go to your email settings and make sure the recovery phone number and backup email address are ones only you can access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I log someone out without changing my password?
Yes. Logging them out removes their current session, but if they still know your password, they can log back in on any device. To prevent them from logging back in, you must change your password. Logging out is useful if you want to remove someone temporarily or if you are not sure whether they still have your password.
Will the person know I logged them out?
They will notice when they try to use Instagram and are sent to the login screen, but Instagram does not send them a notification saying you logged them out. They may think the app crashed or their connection dropped. If you want to tell them, you will have to contact them separately.
What if I log out the wrong device by mistake?
You will be logged out of that device, and you can log back in with your password. If it was your own phone or computer, just enter your password again. If it was someone else's device and you do not have access to it, they can log back in themselves using your password — so make sure you change your password if you made a mistake.
Can I see the password someone used to log in?
No. Instagram does not show you passwords, and you cannot see what password was used to access a session. You can only see the device type and location. If you want to know whether someone is using your account, the Sessions list is your only tool.
Do I need to log someone out on every device they own?
Yes. If someone is logged into your account on their phone, their tablet, and their computer, you will see three separate sessions in your Sessions list. You must log out each one individually. Logging them out of one device does not affect their access on the others.