The three ways to make a username available
An Instagram username becomes available when the account holding it is deleted, when the account owner changes their username, or when Instagram removes an inactive account. You cannot force any of these to happen, but you can take specific steps depending on which situation applies to you.
If you own the account with the username you want, you can change it yourself right now. If someone else owns it, your options are narrower: you can request the username through Instagram's official process if the account appears abandoned, or you can wait for the owner to change it or delete their account on their own timeline.
The fastest path depends on whether you control the account or not. Understanding which situation you are in will save you time and prevent you from taking steps that will not work.
Key Takeaways
- If you own the account with the username you want, you can change your username to something else when ready through your Instagram settings, freeing up the one you prefer.
- If someone else owns the account, Instagram may release the username if the account has been inactive for at least 30 days and shows no signs of use.
- Requesting a username through Instagram's official form is the only legitimate way to ask for an inactive account's username; other methods do not work.
- Deleted accounts release their usernames when ready, but you cannot delete someone else's account, and Instagram does not delete accounts for inactivity alone.
- Username squatters and inactive accounts may hold usernames indefinitely unless Instagram intervenes or the owner acts.
Changing your own username to free up the one you want
If you currently own an Instagram account with a username you are willing to give up, you can change it to a different one right now. This when ready makes your old username available for anyone else to claim. Open Instagram on your phone or computer, go to your profile, tap or click "Edit Profile," and select "Username." Type in a new username that is not already taken, then save the change.
The old username becomes available when ready. However, Instagram holds it in a queue for a short period before it is fully released to the public. This means someone else may be able to claim it within minutes or hours. If you are trying to free up a username for a specific person, coordinate the timing: have them ready to claim it as soon as you change yours, or change your username and when ready have them request it through Instagram's username request form.
You can change your username as often as you want, with no limit on how many times you switch. There is no waiting period between changes.
Requesting a username from an inactive account
If the account holding the username you want appears to be abandoned, you can submit a request to Instagram. Go to Instagram's Help Center, search for "Request a Username," and fill out the official form. You will need to provide the username you want, your own username, and an explanation of why you are requesting it.
Instagram reviews these requests and releases usernames only from accounts that meet specific criteria: the account must show no activity for at least 30 days, have no recent login, and display no profile updates or posts. Instagram does not disclose exactly how long an account must be inactive before it becomes may be able to access, but 30 days is the minimum threshold they mention publicly.
Even if an account meets these criteria, Instagram does not may provide they will release the username. The company prioritizes requests from people who have a legitimate connection to the username—for example, if it matches your real name or business name. Requests for usernames that are straightforward popular or desirable are less likely to succeed.
What happens when an account is deleted
When someone permanently deletes their Instagram account, their username becomes available when ready. However, you have no way to make someone delete their account, and Instagram does not delete accounts for inactivity. The account owner must choose to delete it themselves.
If you know the account owner personally, you could ask them to delete the account or change their username. Otherwise, you are waiting for them to make that decision on their own, which may never happen. Some accounts are deleted after years of inactivity, while others remain dormant indefinitely.
Why username squatting happens and what you can do
Some people create accounts and claim usernames with no intention of using them, either to resell them later or straightforward to prevent others from having them. These accounts often have no profile picture, no bio, and no posts. They may have been created years ago and never touched again.
Instagram's terms of service prohibit username squatting and inactivity abuse, but the company does not actively police this. Your only recourse is to submit a request through the official form and hope Instagram determines the account is inactive enough to release. If the account has any activity at all—even a single like or comment in the past year—Instagram is unlikely to intervene.
If the username is critical to your business or identity, consider using a variation: adding numbers, dots, or underscores to create a similar username that is available now. Many successful accounts use variations of their preferred name.
Usernames that are reserved or protected
Some usernames cannot be claimed by anyone because Instagram reserves them. These include usernames for Instagram's own features and services, common words that Instagram protects, and usernames associated with intellectual property or trademarks that Instagram has agreements to protect.
If a username you want appears to be taken but the account has no profile picture, no bio, and no posts, it may be reserved rather than claimed by a person. You cannot request reserved usernames through the standard form. If you believe a username is reserved in error, you can contact Instagram Support directly, though they rarely override these reservations.
How long it takes and what to expect
If you are changing your own username, the change takes effect when ready. If you are requesting a username from an inactive account, Instagram typically responds within a few days to a few weeks. Some requests are reviewed faster than others depending on how many requests Instagram is processing.
Instagram will notify you through your account notifications whether your request was approved or denied. If it is denied, you can submit another request after 14 days. There is no limit to how many times you can request the same username, but submitting multiple requests in a short period will not speed up the process.
If your request is approved, the username is released and you can claim it when ready. If it is denied, the username remains with the current account owner unless they change it or delete their account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a username from someone else?
Instagram does not allow username sales or transfers between accounts. If someone offers to sell you a username, they are either scamming you or planning to change the username after you pay them. The only legitimate way to get a username is to claim it yourself when it becomes available or to request it from an inactive account.
What if I request a username and someone else claims it first?
If the username becomes available while your request is pending, anyone can claim it when ready. There is no queue or hold system. If this happens, you can request it again once it becomes inactive, but there is no may provide it will be released a second time.
How do I know if an account is actually inactive or just private?
A private account may have no visible posts or followers, but Instagram can see the account's activity behind the scenes. If the account has logged in recently or interacted with other accounts, Instagram will not release the username even if you cannot see that activity. The official request form is the only way to find out whether Instagram considers the account inactive enough.
Can I report an account for username squatting?
You can report an account for violating Instagram's terms of service, but Instagram does not may provide they will take action based on a report alone. The username request form is more effective because it gives Instagram a specific reason to review the account's activity level.
What if the username I want is taken by a bot or spam account?
Spam and bot accounts are still subject to the same inactivity rules as any other account. If the account shows no legitimate activity for 30 days, you can request the username through the official form. Instagram prioritizes removing spam, so these requests sometimes succeed faster than requests for other inactive accounts.