What connecting Facebook to Instagram actually does
Connecting Facebook to Instagram means linking the two accounts so they share the same login and settings. When you do this, you can post to both platforms at once, manage both inboxes from one place, and use the same password to sign into either app. Facebook owns Instagram, so the connection is built into both platforms — you are not downloading a third-party tool or giving permission to a separate company.
The connection does not merge your followers, your posts, or your profile information. Your Instagram followers stay on Instagram. Your Facebook friends stay on Facebook. But from a management standpoint, you control both accounts from a single dashboard if you choose to.
Key Takeaways
- Connecting the accounts means using the same login credentials for both Instagram and Facebook, which you set up in Instagram's settings under "Accounts Center".
- You can post to both platforms simultaneously from Instagram's native composer, but the posts appear separately on each platform — they do not automatically cross-post to your followers.
- Once connected, you can manage messages from both apps in one inbox and switch between accounts without logging out and back in.
- You can disconnect the accounts at any time from the same Accounts Center menu, and doing so does not delete either account or your posts.
How to connect the accounts on your phone
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. Tap Accounts Center. If you see a prompt to create an Accounts Center, tap Create account and follow the steps — this is a free process that takes about two minutes.
Once you are in Accounts Center, tap Add account and select Facebook. You will be asked to log in to your Facebook account. Enter your Facebook email or phone number and password. After you log in, Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to link the accounts. Tap Confirm. Both accounts are now connected.
How to connect the accounts on a computer
Go to instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the bottom left of the sidebar, then click Settings. Click Accounts Center in the left menu. If you do not see Accounts Center, click Create account first — this is the same free setup as on mobile.
In Accounts Center, click Add account and choose Facebook. You will be taken to a Facebook login page. Enter your Facebook email or phone number and password. Facebook will ask you to confirm the connection. Click Confirm. The accounts are now linked.
What you can do once the accounts are connected
The most common use is posting to both platforms at once. When you create a new Instagram post, you will see a toggle that says Also share to Facebook. Turn this on, and the same image or video will post to your Facebook profile at the same time. The post appears as a separate post on each platform — your Instagram followers see it on Instagram, your Facebook friends see it on Facebook.
You can also manage messages from both accounts in one place. Open Instagram's inbox and look for a dropdown menu at the top that lets you switch between Instagram and Facebook messages. This saves you from opening Facebook separately just to reply to a message.
If you use Instagram or Facebook's business tools, connecting the accounts also links your business settings, so you can manage ads, analytics, and audience insights across both platforms from one dashboard.
What does not happen when you connect the accounts
Your followers do not merge. If you have 500 Instagram followers and 300 Facebook friends, you still have 500 and 300 separately. Connecting the accounts does not add your Facebook friends to Instagram or vice versa.
Your old posts do not automatically appear on the other platform. Only new posts you create after connecting will have the option to share to both platforms. Posts you made before the connection stay where they are.
Your profile information does not sync automatically. Your Instagram bio, profile picture, and username remain separate from your Facebook profile. You can update them independently or manually make them match if you want them to look the same.
How to disconnect the accounts
Open Instagram and go to Settings and privacy > Accounts Center. Tap or click on Facebook under the list of connected accounts. Tap or click Remove account. Instagram will ask you to confirm. Tap or click Remove. The accounts are now disconnected.
Disconnecting does not delete either account or any of your posts. You can still log into both Instagram and Facebook normally. You straightforward lose the ability to post to both at once or manage both inboxes from one place. If you reconnect later, you will go through the same process as the first time.
Why you might want to keep them separate
Some people use Instagram and Facebook for different audiences. You might share personal photos with close friends on Instagram but use Facebook for family updates. Connecting the accounts means anything you post to both will reach both groups, which may not be what you want.
If you manage accounts for a business or organization, you might have separate Instagram and Facebook pages with different posting schedules or content strategies. Keeping them unconnected gives you more control over what goes where and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect Instagram to Facebook if I do not have a Facebook account?
No. You need an active Facebook account to connect it to Instagram. If you do not have one, you can create a Facebook account for free at facebook.com, then follow the connection steps above.
If I post to both platforms at once, do my Instagram followers see it on Facebook?
No. When you post to both platforms simultaneously, the image or video appears on your Instagram profile for your Instagram followers and on your Facebook profile for your Facebook friends. They are separate posts on separate platforms.
What happens to my messages when I disconnect the accounts?
Your messages stay in each app. Instagram messages remain in Instagram, and Facebook messages remain in Facebook. You straightforward lose the ability to see both inboxes in one place. You can still read and reply to messages by opening each app separately.
Can I connect multiple Facebook accounts to one Instagram account?
No. One Instagram account can be connected to one Facebook account at a time. If you want to switch which Facebook account is connected, you must disconnect the current one first, then connect a different Facebook account.
Does connecting the accounts let Facebook see my Instagram followers or private messages?
Facebook already owns Instagram, so it has access to your account data regardless of whether you connect them. Connecting the accounts does not give Facebook additional access to your private messages or follower list beyond what it already has as the platform owner.