Why you might want to connect Facebook and Instagram
Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same company, and connecting them lets you manage both accounts from one place. When you link them, you can post to both platforms at once, see messages from both apps in one inbox, and use the same login for both. This saves time if you run a business account or post regularly to both.
The connection also means Facebook can show you ads based on your Instagram activity, and Instagram can do the same with your Facebook behavior. Understanding this link matters because it affects what data each platform collects about you and how that data gets used across both services.
Key Takeaways
- You connect Facebook and Instagram through the settings in either app, using the same email address or phone number for both accounts.
- Once connected, you can post to both platforms simultaneously and manage messages from a single inbox.
- Connecting the accounts means Facebook and Instagram share information about your activity to target ads more precisely.
- You can disconnect the accounts at any time through settings if you no longer want them linked.
How to connect on a phone or tablet
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Settings. Look for Accounts and passwords and tap it.
Tap Facebook. You will see an option to log in with your Facebook account or link an existing Facebook account. If you do not have a Facebook account yet, you can create one here. If you already have one, tap Log in with Facebook and enter your Facebook email and password when prompted. Instagram will ask permission to access your Facebook information — tap Continue to allow it.
Once linked, you will see your Facebook account listed under the Facebook section. If you want to add a second Facebook account, tap Add another account. To disconnect, come back to this same screen and tap Remove next to the Facebook account you want to unlink.
How to connect on a computer
Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings and privacy, then click Settings. On the left side menu, click Accounts and passwords.
Click Facebook. You will see options to log in with Facebook or link an existing account. Click Log in with Facebook and enter your Facebook email and password. Facebook will ask for permission to share information with Instagram — click Continue to proceed. Your accounts are now linked, and you can manage both from Instagram's settings.
What happens when you connect the accounts
Once connected, you can post a photo or video to Instagram and choose to share it to Facebook at the same time. When you do this, the post appears on both platforms without you having to upload it twice. Messages from both Facebook and Instagram appear in one inbox if you use Meta's unified messaging system.
The connection also means both platforms can track your activity across each service. If you watch a video on Instagram, Facebook may use that information to show you related ads. If you like a post on Facebook, Instagram might show you similar content. This cross-platform tracking is how the company builds a more complete picture of your interests for advertising purposes.
You will also see a notification that your accounts are linked when you log into either platform. This reminder appears so you know the connection is active.
How to disconnect Facebook from Instagram
Open Instagram and go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Accounts and passwords (on phone) or follow the same path on a computer. Find the Facebook account you want to remove and tap or click Remove. Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap or click Remove again.
After you disconnect, you will no longer be able to log into Instagram using your Facebook account. If you set up Instagram with a Facebook login and have not created a separate Instagram password, you will need to create one before disconnecting. Go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Password and security > Password and set a new one.
Disconnecting does not delete either account — it only breaks the link between them. You can reconnect them later if you change your mind.
What to know about privacy when accounts are linked
When you connect Facebook and Instagram, both companies can see your activity on each platform. This means Facebook knows what you post on Instagram, and Instagram knows what you do on Facebook. They use this information to build targeted ads that follow you across both apps.
You can limit some of this tracking through privacy settings. On Instagram, go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and adjust who can see your posts and contact you. On Facebook, go to Settings > Privacy and review who can see your profile and posts. These settings explore only to each platform individually — they do not prevent the platforms from sharing data with each other.
If you want to prevent Facebook and Instagram from using your activity for ads, you can adjust ad preferences on both platforms, though this does not stop the data collection itself. The most direct way to limit cross-platform tracking is to keep the accounts disconnected.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If you see an error message when trying to connect, the most common cause is using different email addresses or phone numbers for each account. Make sure the email or phone number you use to log into Facebook matches the one on your Instagram account. If they do not match, you will need to update one of them first.
If you have two-factor authentication turned on for Facebook, you may need to enter a security code during the connection process. Have your phone or authentication app ready. If the connection still fails, try logging out of both apps completely, then log back in and attempt the connection again.
If you are trying to connect a business account, make sure both your Facebook and Instagram accounts are set to business type. Personal accounts and business accounts cannot link to each other. Check this in the account settings of each platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect multiple Facebook accounts to one Instagram account?
Yes. In the Facebook section of Instagram settings, tap or click Add another account to link a second Facebook account. You can manage multiple connections from the same place, though you can only use one Facebook login to access Instagram itself.
What happens to my posts if I disconnect Facebook from Instagram?
Posts you made while the accounts were connected stay on both platforms. Disconnecting only stops new posts from going to both places at once. Old posts are not deleted or removed.
Do I need to connect Facebook and Instagram to use both?
No. You can use Instagram and Facebook completely separately. Connecting them is optional and only necessary if you want to post to both at the same time or manage messages in one place.
Will connecting my accounts change my privacy settings?
Connecting does not automatically change your privacy settings on either platform. However, it does allow both companies to see your activity across both apps. Your existing privacy settings on each platform stay the same unless you change them manually.
Can I use a Facebook login to create a new Instagram account?
Yes. When you sign up for Instagram, you can choose to create an account with Facebook instead of an email address. This creates the connection automatically. You can also create an Instagram account with an email and link Facebook later.