What you need to create an Instagram account
You need three things to make a new 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 during signup, but you can use a nickname or initials instead — the name you enter does not have to match your ID. The whole process takes about five minutes on a phone or computer.
Before you start, decide whether you want a personal account or a business account. A personal account is private by default and shows fewer of your details to strangers. A business account is public by default, shows your contact information to anyone, and gives you access to analytics tools that track who views your posts. You can switch between them later, so do not worry about getting this wrong the first time.
Key Takeaways
- Create your account using an email address or phone number you control, and choose a strong password that you do not use on any other website.
- Your Instagram username is permanent and public — choose one you are comfortable with, because changing it later means your old username becomes available for someone else to claim.
- Instagram will ask you to verify your email or phone number by entering a code they send you; this step confirms you own that contact method.
- A personal account is private by default and shows less of your information, while a business account is public and displays your contact details to everyone.
- Do not use the same password on Instagram that you use on email, banking, or any other account — if Instagram is breached, that password becomes a key to your other accounts.
Step-by-step: Creating your account on a phone
Open the Instagram app or go to instagram.com on your phone's browser. Tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. Enter your email address or phone number in the field that appears. Instagram will send you a six-digit code to that email or phone — check your inbox (or spam folder) and enter the code when prompted.
Next, create a password. Use at least 8 characters and mix in uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols — something like BlueMoon#2024 is stronger than password123. Do not use a password you have used on any other website. Enter your full name or the name you want to appear on your profile, then choose your username. Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces. Instagram will tell you if the username is already taken.
After that, Instagram asks for your birthdate and gender. These are required fields, but you can hide your birthdate from other users later in your privacy settings. Tap "Sign up" to finish. Instagram may ask you to confirm your account by entering another code sent to your email or phone — this is normal and takes less than a minute.
Step-by-step: Creating your account on a computer
Go to instagram.com in your web browser and click "Create a new account" near the bottom of the login box. You can sign up using your email, phone number, or an existing Facebook account. If you use Facebook, Instagram will pull your name and profile picture from that account, but you can change both afterward.
If you use email or phone, follow the same steps as the phone app: enter your contact method, verify the code Instagram sends, create a password, add your name and username, and provide your birthdate. The layout is slightly different on a computer, but the information you need is the same. Once you finish, Instagram may ask you to add a profile picture and write a bio — you can skip both and add them later.
Choosing a username that protects your privacy
Your username is permanent and public. Once you choose it, anyone can find you by searching that name, and changing it later means someone else can claim your old username. Think about what you are comfortable with strangers seeing. If you use your real first and last name, people who know you offline can easily find your account. If you use a nickname or initials, you have more separation between your online and offline identity.
Avoid usernames that contain your birthdate, address, phone number, or other identifying information. Do not use a username that is similar to your email address or the username you use on other websites — if someone finds your Instagram, they can use that username to search for you on banking sites, email providers, or other services. A username like alex.reads.books or garden_updates_2024 tells people what you are interested in without revealing who you are.
Setting up a strong password and two-factor authentication
Your password is the lock on your account. If someone guesses it or finds it in a data breach, they can log in as you, change your email address, and lock you out. Use a password that is at least 12 characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. A phrase like Coffee#Mornings&Books2024 is harder to crack than a single word with numbers added.
After you create your account, turn on two-factor authentication. This adds a second lock: even if someone knows your password, they cannot log in without a code from your phone. Go to Settings, tap Security, then turn on "Two-Factor Authentication." Instagram will ask whether you want codes sent by text message or generated by an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Authy. Text message is easier, but an authenticator app is more find because text messages can be intercepted. Choose whichever one you will actually use — a security feature you ignore is no security at all.
What to do after your account is created
Once you are logged in, Instagram will suggest people to follow and ask you to add a profile picture. You do not have to do either right away. Before you start posting or following people, spend a few minutes in your privacy settings. Go to Settings, tap Privacy, and decide who can see your posts, send you messages, and tag you in photos. If you chose a personal account, your posts are private by default — only people you approve can see them. If you chose a business account, your posts are public.
Add a profile picture if you want one — this can be a photo of you, a photo of something you care about, or an illustration. Do not use a photo that contains your address, phone number, or other personal information in the background. Write a short bio that describes what your account is about, but do not include your email address or phone number in the bio — anyone can see it there.
Common mistakes to avoid when setting up
Do not use the same password on Instagram that you use on email, banking, or any other account. If Instagram is breached and hackers get your password, they will try that password on your email account first — if it works, they can reset passwords on your bank, social media, and other services. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate and store unique passwords for each site.
Do not share your login information with friends, even if they ask nicely. If you give someone your password, you cannot control what they do on your account, and you cannot prove later that it was them and not you. If you want someone to manage your account, use Instagram's "Add Account" feature instead, which lets them log in without knowing your password.
Do not post your phone number, address, or full birthdate on your profile. Scammers and people with bad intentions search for this information. Your birthdate is required to create an account, but you can hide it from your profile — go to Settings, tap Personal Information, and choose "Only me" next to your birthdate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create an Instagram account without an email or phone number?
No. Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to verify that you own the account. You can use any email address, including a free one from Gmail, Outlook, or Yahoo. If you do not want to use your personal phone number, you can use a free texting service like Google Voice, though Instagram sometimes blocks these.
What if I forget my password after I create my account?
Go to the Instagram login page and tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username or email address, and Instagram will send you a link to reset it. The link works for a limited time, so check your email quickly. If you cannot find the email, check your spam folder. If you no longer have access to the email address you used to create the account, you may not be able to recover it.
Can I change my username after I create my account?
Yes, you can change your username once every 14 days. Go to Settings, tap Edit Profile, and change the username field. Keep in mind that your old username becomes available for someone else to claim when ready. If you have a username people know you by, think carefully before changing it.
Is it safer to create an account on the app or on a website?
Both are equally safe if you are using the official Instagram app or the real instagram.com website. The risk comes from fake apps or websites that look like Instagram but are designed to steal your password. Only read the Instagram app from the official App Store or Google Play, and only visit instagram.com — not lookalike sites like instgram.com or instagrams.com.
Do I have to use my real name on Instagram?
No. The "Full Name" field during signup can contain a nickname, initials, or any name you choose. This name appears on your profile but is separate from your username. You can change it anytime in your settings, so you are not locked into whatever you enter during signup.