What you need before you start
To open an Instagram account, you need three things: an email address or phone number, a password you will remember, and a photo of yourself (though you can add this later). Instagram is owned by Meta and is free to use. You can sign up on your phone using the Instagram app, or on a computer using a web browser like Chrome or Safari.
If you already have a Facebook account, Instagram can pull your information from there and skip some steps. If not, you will enter your details from scratch. Either way takes about five minutes.
You will also need to choose a username — the name that appears in your profile and in the web address people use to find you. This is different from your real name. You can change your username later, so do not worry if you are not sure what you want right now.
Key Takeaways
- You can sign up using an email address, phone number, or existing Facebook account, and the process takes about five minutes on either a phone or computer.
- Your username is what other people see and use to find you; your real name is optional and can be different from your username.
- Instagram will ask for your birthdate to confirm you are old enough to use the platform (13 years old in most countries).
- You do not need a profile photo to create an account, but adding one later makes your profile look complete and helps people recognize you.
- After you finish signing up, Instagram will suggest accounts to follow and ask you to confirm your email or phone number.
How to sign up on your phone
Open the Instagram app on your phone. If you do not have it yet, go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android), search for "Instagram," and read it for free. When you open the app for the first time, you will see a screen with a login box and a link that says "Create new account" or "Don't have an account? Sign up."
Tap "Create new account" or "Sign up." Instagram will ask whether you want to sign up with your email, phone number, or Facebook account. Choose whichever you prefer. If you use email, type the address you check regularly. If you use your phone number, Instagram will send you a code by text message to confirm it is really yours — check your messages and type that code into the app.
Next, Instagram asks for your full name (your real name, not your username). Type it in. Then you will choose your username — this is the name people will see on your profile and use to tag you in posts. Instagram will suggest some options based on your real name, but you can type your own. If the username you want is already taken, Instagram will tell you and suggest alternatives. Once you pick one that is available, tap next.
Instagram will ask for your birthdate. Type it in — you must be at least 13 years old to use Instagram. Then create a password. Make it something you will remember but that is not obvious (not your birthdate or your pet's name). Tap "Sign up" or "Next," and your account is created.
How to sign up on a computer
Go to instagram.com in your web browser. You will see the Instagram homepage with a login box on the right side. Below the login box is a link that says "Create a new account." Click it.
A window will pop up asking you to enter your email address or phone number. Type whichever you want to use. If you use email, Instagram will send you a confirmation link — check your inbox (and your spam folder if you do not see it) and click the link. If you use your phone number, you will receive a text with a code to type in.
After you confirm your email or phone, Instagram asks for your full name, username, password, and birthdate. Fill in each field. Your username is what appears on your profile; your full name is optional and can be different. Once you finish, click "Sign up."
Instagram may ask you to confirm you are human by solving a puzzle or identifying images. Do what it asks, and your account is ready to use.
What happens right after you sign up
Once your account is created, Instagram will show you a list of suggested accounts to follow — usually people based on your location or people with similar interests. You can follow some, follow none, or skip this step entirely. You can always follow people later.
Instagram will also ask you to add a profile photo. You can take a new photo with your phone's camera, choose one from your phone's photo library, or skip this step. If you skip it now, your profile will show a blank circle instead of a photo, but you can add one anytime by going to your profile and tapping "Edit profile."
After that, you are done. Your account is live and you can start following people, looking at posts, and sending messages. You do not have to post anything right away — many people spend time looking around before they share their first post.
Choosing a username that works for you
Your username is permanent in the sense that it is how people find you, but you can change it anytime by going to Settings, tapping "Edit profile," and changing the username field. Instagram will tell you if the new username is already taken.
Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. They cannot include spaces or special characters like @ or #. Instagram suggests usernames based on your real name, but you can type anything you want — many people use a nickname, their initials, or a combination of their name and a number.
If you are creating an account for a business or organization rather than yourself, you can change your account type later. Go to Settings, tap "Account type and tools," and switch to a Business Account. This gives you access to features like contact buttons and post scheduling that are useful for businesses.
If something goes wrong during sign up
If Instagram says your email address is already in use, it means someone has already created an account with that email. You can either use a different email address, or click "Need help signing in?" to recover the existing account if it is yours.
If Instagram says your username is taken, try adding a number or underscore to it — for example, if "sarah_jones" is taken, try "sarah_jones23" or "sarah_jones_." You can always change it later.
If you do not receive a confirmation code by text or email, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes confirmation emails end up there. If you still do not see it after a few minutes, go back to the sign-up screen and ask Instagram to send the code again.
If Instagram says you are too young to sign up, you will need to wait until you are 13 years old. Instagram checks your birthdate during sign-up and will not let you proceed if you are younger.
What to do after your account is set up
Once you are signed in, you can customize your profile by adding a bio (a short description of who you are), a profile photo, and a link to a website if you have one. Go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom of the app, then tap "Edit profile."
You can also change your privacy settings. By default, your account is public, which means anyone can see your posts and follow you without your permission. If you want to control who follows you, go to Settings, tap "Privacy," and turn on "Private account." Then you will have to approve each follow request.
Start following people and accounts you are interested in. You can search for friends by name, look at suggested accounts, or browse hashtags (words preceded by #) to find posts about topics you care about. There is no rush — take time to explore and see what Instagram is like before you post anything yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a fake name or nickname as my username?
Yes. Your username can be anything that is not already taken. Many people use nicknames, initials, or made-up names. Your real name is a separate field that you can leave blank or fill in however you want. Only your username is visible to other users by default.
Do I have to add a profile photo right away?
No. You can create an account and use Instagram without a profile photo. Your profile will show a blank circle instead. You can add a photo anytime by going to your profile, tapping "Edit profile," and uploading an image from your phone or taking a new one.
What if I forget my password?
Go to the Instagram login screen and tap "Forgot password?" Type in your email address or username, and Instagram will send you a link to reset it. Click the link in your email and create a new password. If you do not see the email, check your spam folder.
Can I have more than one Instagram account?
Yes. You can create multiple accounts using different email addresses or phone numbers. Once you are logged into one account, you can add another account in Settings under "Accounts." Then you can switch between accounts without logging out and back in each time.
Is Instagram really free?
Yes. Creating an account and using Instagram is completely free. Instagram makes money from ads that appear in your feed, not from charging users. You can use all the main features — following people, posting, messaging, and browsing — without paying anything.