What you need before you start

To create an Instagram account, you need three things: an email address or phone number, a password you haven't used elsewhere, and a photo of yourself (though you can add this later). Instagram is owned by Meta, the same company that owns Facebook. The account is free — Instagram makes money by showing you ads, not by charging you to sign up.

You can create an account on a computer or on the Instagram app for iPhone or Android. The steps are slightly different depending on which device you use, but the information you enter is the same. If you already have a Facebook account, you can use that to sign in faster, but you don't have to.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an email address or phone number, a strong password, and a username to create an Instagram account.
  • Instagram will ask for your full name, but your username (the name people use to find you) can be different and can include numbers or periods.
  • You can create an account on your phone using the app or on a computer using a web browser — both methods take about five minutes.
  • Instagram will ask you to verify your email or phone number before you can start posting, which usually takes a few minutes.
  • You can change your username, email, and password later, but changing your username more than once every 14 days may not be possible.

Creating an account on your phone using the app

read the Instagram app from the Apple App Store (if you have an iPhone) or Google Play Store (if you have an Android phone). Open the app and tap "Create new account." You'll see a screen that says "Sign up" at the top.

Enter your email address or phone number in the first field. Instagram will send a code to that email or phone to confirm it's really yours. Tap "Next" and enter the code when it arrives — this usually takes less than a minute. Then create a password (use something you don't use anywhere else), enter your full name, and choose a username. Your username is what other people type to find you, so pick something you're comfortable with. You can use letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Tap "Next" again.

Instagram will ask if you want to add a profile photo now or skip it. You can skip this step and add a photo later. Then you'll choose whether to make your account public (anyone can see your posts) or private (only people you approve can see them). Most new accounts start public, but you can change this anytime in your settings.

Creating an account on a computer

Go to instagram.com in any web browser. You'll see a sign-up form on the right side of the page. Click "Create a new account" or look for a link that says "Sign up." Enter your email address or phone number, then click the button to send a verification code.

Check your email or text messages for the code and enter it on Instagram's website. Create a password, enter your full name, and choose a username. Click "Next" to continue. You'll be asked to add a profile photo and choose whether your account is public or private. You can do both of these later if you want to.

Verifying your email or phone number

After you create your account, Instagram sends a verification message to the email address or phone number you entered. This message contains a code or a link. Open the message and either click the link or enter the code into Instagram. This step confirms that the email or phone number actually belongs to you and that you can receive messages there.

If you don't see the verification message within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email providers send Instagram's messages there by mistake. If you still don't see it, you can ask Instagram to send the code again by tapping "Didn't get the code?" on the verification screen.

Choosing a username you won't regret

Your username is permanent in the sense that other people use it to find you, but you can change it. However, Instagram limits how often you can change it — you may not be able to change it again for 14 days after your last change. Pick something you're comfortable with for at least two weeks.

Usernames can be up to 30 characters long and can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. They cannot include spaces or special characters like @ or #. If the username you want is already taken, Instagram will suggest alternatives. You can also add numbers or periods to make a variation — for example, if "sarah.jones" is taken, you might try "sarah.jones23" or "sarah_jones."

What happens after you verify

Once you verify your email or phone number, your account is active and you can start using Instagram. You can follow other accounts, like posts, and send direct messages. You can also create your own posts, but Instagram may ask you to add a profile photo or fill out more information about yourself before you can post.

Instagram will suggest accounts to follow based on your interests and the people you already know. You don't have to follow anyone — you can browse without following anyone at all. Your feed (the main page you see when you open Instagram) will show posts from accounts you follow, plus ads and suggestions from Instagram.

Changing your password or email later

If you want to change your password after you create your account, go to your profile (tap the person icon at the bottom right on your phone, or click your profile picture on a computer). Tap "Settings" or look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines). Find "Password" or "Security" and follow the steps to create a new one. Instagram will ask you to enter your current password first.

To change your email address, go to Settings and look for "Email" or "Account." Enter the new email address and Instagram will send a verification code to it. You'll need to enter that code to confirm the change. If you lose access to your email address, you can use your phone number to recover your account instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Instagram account without a phone number or email?

No. Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create an account and verify it. You cannot create an account using only a username and password. If you don't want to use your personal email, you can create a free email address at Gmail or Outlook and use that instead.

What if someone already took the username I want?

Usernames on Instagram are first-come, first-served. If the username you want is taken, you can try adding numbers or periods to create a variation. You can also check if the account using that username is active — if it hasn't posted in years and looks abandoned, you might try contacting Instagram to report it, though they rarely transfer usernames. For now, pick a variation you like and move forward.

Do I have to use my real name on Instagram?

Your full name and your username are two different things. Your full name is what appears on your profile, and you can enter anything you want there — it doesn't have to be your legal name. Your username is what people type to find you. Neither one has to be your real name, though Instagram may ask you to confirm your identity if they suspect you're breaking their rules.

Can I delete my account after I create it?

Yes. You can temporarily disable your account (which hides it but keeps your data) or permanently delete it (which removes all your posts and data after 30 days). Go to Settings, find "Account," and look for "Delete Account" or "Deactivate Account." Instagram will ask you to enter your password and explain why you're leaving. You have 30 days to change your mind before the deletion becomes permanent.

Is it safe to create an Instagram account with my real email?

Yes, it's safe to use your real email. Instagram is a large company with security practices in place. However, if you're concerned about privacy or don't want Instagram to connect your account to other services, you can create a separate email address just for Instagram and use that instead. This gives you more control over what information Instagram collects about you.