Contact Instagram through their help center to request a username
Instagram does not have a formal process to request someone else's username directly. However, you can report the account to Instagram if it violates their policies — for example, if it appears to be inactive, impersonating you, or using your brand name without permission. Instagram reviews these reports and may take action, which could free up the username.
The most straightforward path is to use Instagram's Report a Problem feature, which connects you to their support team. This works best when you have a specific reason the account should not exist under that username, rather than straightforward wanting it for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram does not give usernames to users who want them — you can only report accounts that violate their rules.
- Report an account through Instagram's in-app Report a Problem feature if it is inactive, impersonating you, or using your business name without permission.
- Instagram reviews reports within days to weeks, but there is no may provide they will remove the account or free the username.
- If the account belongs to someone you know, contact that person directly and ask them to change their username or give it to you.
- Creating a similar username with numbers, underscores, or periods is often faster than waiting for Instagram to act.
Report the account if it violates Instagram's rules
Open the Instagram app and navigate to the profile using the username you want. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of their profile, then select Report. Choose the reason that best fits your situation: "It's pretending to be me or someone I know", "It's spam", or "It's abusive or harmful".
If the account is using your business name, brand, or personal name without permission, select the impersonation option. If the account has no posts and appears abandoned, you can still report it, though Instagram is more likely to act on impersonation claims than inactivity alone. Fill in the details Instagram asks for — the more specific you are about why the account should not exist, the better.
After you submit, Instagram sends a confirmation that they received your report. They do not tell you the outcome or timeline, so you may not know whether they took action. Check back in two to four weeks to see if the account still exists.
Contact Instagram support if you have a business or brand claim
If you own a registered business or trademark that matches the username, you have a stronger case. Go to Instagram's Help Center at help.instagram.com, search for "Report Intellectual Property Violation", and follow the form to report trademark or business name infringement.
You will need to provide proof of your business registration or trademark. Instagram takes intellectual property claims more seriously than general reports, and they may act faster. This route works best if you have legal documentation showing you own the name.
If you do not have formal registration, the standard report through the app is your only option.
Ask the account owner directly if you know them
If the account belongs to someone you know — a friend, colleague, or former employee — the fastest solution is to ask them directly. Message them through Instagram or contact them outside the app and explain why you need the username. They may be willing to change their username or let you have it.
Many people do not realize someone else wants their username and will change it if asked politely. This avoids waiting for Instagram to review a report and gives you a concrete answer quickly.
Use a similar username instead of waiting
While you wait for Instagram to respond to a report, create an account with a variation of the username you want. Add an underscore, a period, or a number that makes sense for your account — for example, if "jane.photography" is taken, try "jane.photo" or "jane_photography".
Many successful accounts use variations because their first choice was taken. Your followers will find you through search, and you can add a link to your bio if you want to direct people to a specific version of your name. Starting with a working username now is often smarter than waiting weeks for Instagram to free up the one you prefer.
Understand what Instagram will and will not do
Instagram will remove accounts that clearly violate their Community Guidelines — impersonation, spam, hate speech, or harassment. They will also act on valid trademark claims. What they will not do is remove an account straightforward because someone else wants the username, even if the account is inactive.
Inactivity alone is not against Instagram's rules. An account with no posts and no activity for years can still exist legally under Instagram's terms. If the account does not violate a specific policy, reporting it will not result in removal.
This means if the username is held by a legitimate inactive account with no policy violation, you have no way to claim it through Instagram. Your options are then to contact the owner directly or choose a different username.
What to expect after you report an account
Instagram does not send you updates about your report. You will not receive an email or notification telling you whether they reviewed it, what they decided, or when. The only way to know if anything changed is to check the account yourself after a few weeks.
If Instagram removes the account, the username becomes available and you can claim it when ready by creating a new account or changing your existing username to it. If the account still exists, your report was either not reviewed yet, or Instagram determined it did not violate their policies.
You can submit another report if you believe you provided incomplete information the first time, but repeatedly reporting the same account without new evidence will not speed up the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay Instagram to get a username I want?
No. Instagram does not sell usernames or have a process to transfer them for money. Any service claiming to do this is a scam. The only ways to get a username are to create an account with it, change your existing username to it if it is available, or wait for an account holding it to be removed by Instagram for policy violations.
What if the account owner is not responding to my messages?
If you cannot reach the person, your options are limited. You can report the account to Instagram if it violates their rules, but if it does not, Instagram will not remove it. Choose a similar username and move forward with your account instead of waiting indefinitely.
How long does Instagram take to respond to a report?
Instagram does not publish response times. Reports are typically reviewed within days to weeks, but some take longer. There is no way to check the status of your report or contact Instagram to ask for an update.
Will Instagram tell me if they remove an account I reported?
No. Instagram does not notify you of the outcome of any report you submit. You have to check the account yourself to see if it still exists. If it is gone and the username is available, you can claim it right away.
Can I report an account multiple times to make Instagram act faster?
No. Submitting the same report repeatedly will not speed up the process and may flag your account as abusive. Submit one clear, detailed report and then wait. If you have new evidence of a policy violation, you can submit again, but duplicate reports do not help.