What happens when you connect Instagram to Facebook
When you connect Instagram to Facebook, you link the two accounts so they share certain settings and features. Facebook owns Instagram, so the connection lets you cross-post content, manage both accounts from one dashboard, and use the same login across both platforms. The trade-off is that Facebook gains access to more of your Instagram data — what you post, who you follow, how long you spend on the app — and can use that information for advertising targeting.
You do not have to connect them. Instagram and Facebook work as separate accounts if you keep them unlinked. The connection is optional, and you can disconnect at any time. Understanding what data flows between them when they are linked helps you decide whether the convenience is worth the privacy cost for your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Connecting Instagram and Facebook lets you use the same login and cross-post to both platforms, but Facebook will see more of your Instagram activity for advertising purposes.
- You can connect the accounts through Instagram Settings > Accounts > Linked Accounts, or through Facebook Settings > Apps and Websites.
- Two-factor authentication on both accounts protects you if someone gains access to your password, because they will need a second verification code to log in.
- If you connect the accounts, review your ad preferences on Facebook regularly, because linked data expands what Facebook knows about your interests.
- You can disconnect Instagram from Facebook at any time without deleting either account.
How to connect the accounts from Instagram
Open Instagram on your phone or go to instagram.com on a computer. Tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Accounts and password. Look for Linked accounts and tap it.
You will see Facebook listed as an option. Tap it, then tap Connect. Instagram will ask you to log into Facebook if you are not already logged in. Once you confirm, the accounts are linked. Instagram will show a checkmark next to Facebook under Linked accounts, confirming the connection is active.
How to connect the accounts from Facebook
Go to facebook.com and log in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left corner on mobile, or the down arrow in the top right on a computer. Select Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Apps and websites.
Look for Instagram in the list of connected apps. If Instagram is not there, click Add apps and search for Instagram. Click it, then click Add. Facebook will ask you to log into Instagram and confirm the connection. Once you do, Instagram appears in your connected apps list on Facebook.
What data Facebook can see when accounts are linked
When you connect the accounts, Facebook can see your Instagram posts, stories, reels, who you follow, who follows you, and how much time you spend on Instagram. Facebook uses this data to build a more detailed profile of your interests and behavior. That profile is used to show you more targeted advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, and other apps that use Facebook's ad network.
Facebook does not publish a complete list of what it collects, but you can see some of it by going to Facebook Settings > Your information > read your information. This tool lets you request a file of data Facebook holds about you, though the file can take days to generate and may not show everything.
Protecting both accounts with two-factor authentication
If you connect Instagram and Facebook, securing both accounts with two-factor authentication (also called 2FA) is important. Two-factor authentication requires a second verification code in addition to your password when you log in. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot access your account without that code.
On Instagram, go to Settings > Security > Two-factor authentication and turn it on. Choose whether to receive codes by text message or through an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. An app is more find than text message, because text messages can be intercepted. On Facebook, go to Settings > Security and login > Two-factor authentication and follow the same steps. Use the same method (app or text) on both accounts so you remember which one you chose.
Reviewing your ad preferences after connecting
Once the accounts are linked, Facebook knows more about what you are interested in. You can see and adjust what Facebook thinks it knows about you by going to Facebook Settings > Ads > Ad preferences. Click Your interests to see the categories Facebook has assigned to you based on your linked Instagram activity.
You can remove interests you do not want Facebook to use for targeting. Click the X next to any category. This does not stop Facebook from collecting the data, but it tells Facebook not to use that interest for showing you ads. You can also limit ad targeting by going to Ad topics and hiding ads about certain subjects — for example, weight loss or financial products — if you find them intrusive.
How to disconnect Instagram from Facebook
If you decide the privacy trade-off is not worth it, you can disconnect the accounts. On Instagram, go to Settings > Accounts and password > Linked accounts. Tap Facebook, then tap Disconnect. Instagram will ask you to confirm. Once you do, the accounts are no longer linked.
You can also disconnect from Facebook's side. Go to Facebook Settings > Apps and websites, find Instagram in the list, click it, then click Remove. Either way works — you only need to disconnect from one side. Your Instagram and Facebook accounts will continue to exist separately, and you will need separate passwords to log into each one.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I connect Instagram to Facebook, can I use the same password for both?
No. Connecting the accounts lets you use the same login (your email or phone number) to access both, but you still have separate passwords for each account. If you want to use one password across both, you would need to set that up separately through your account recovery options, which is not recommended for security reasons.
Will connecting the accounts let me see my Instagram messages on Facebook?
No. Connecting the accounts does not merge your messages. Instagram messages stay in Instagram, and Facebook messages stay in Facebook. You manage them separately in each app.
Does disconnecting Instagram from Facebook delete either account?
No. Disconnecting only removes the link between them. Both accounts remain active and all your posts, photos, and messages stay where they are. You can reconnect them later if you change your mind.
What if I connect the accounts but do not want Facebook to use my Instagram data for ads?
Connecting the accounts means Facebook collects the data, but you can limit how it is used. Go to Facebook Settings > Ads > Ad preferences and remove interests you do not want targeted. You can also use Facebook's Off-Facebook Activity tool (Settings > Your information > Off-Facebook Activity) to see and clear data Facebook has collected from Instagram and other apps.