Got multiple Instagram accounts?
One for business, one for fun?
Another one for another business? Or maybe your pet ? ? ? (I hear dogs love Insta).
Maintaining separate accounts is a highly recommended, yet frustrating, tactic.
Recommended, because Instagram users love to follow laser-focused accounts.
Frustrating, because you’ve had to sign in and out of one account to access another.
But no longer!
Instagram finally announced account switching February 8, 2016. I got it that same day, after checking obsessively for days. It had already been rolling out for a week!
Note: This post was originally published on Feb 8, 2016, and updated Dec 2, 2017, August 14 and November 8, 2018, and February 10, 2019, with the latest info for you.
We’ll cover all this below:
- How to create another Instagram account
- How to add Instagram Account Switching to existing accounts
- Push notifications on multiple Instagram accounts
- How to remove an Instagram account you’ve added, with troubleshooting tips
- How to permanently delete an Instagram account
The purple banners will help you find a specific section. Read on!
How can I create another Instagram account?
You can create a new Instagram account while you’re logged into your current account.
If you’ve already created multiple Instagram accounts, you can simply connect them, so skip to the next section.
Here’s how to create a new Instagram account that will instantly be connected to your current one:
- Open your current Instagram account.
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the 3 lines at top right.
- Tap the gear icon at the bottom for Settings.
- Scroll to the bottom. Tap Add Account.
- DON’T fill in the log in screen. At the bottom of the page, tap Sign up.
- You’ll see an option to use Facebook for sign-up. If you’re already using Facebook for your primary account, choose Sign Up With Phone or Email.
- Enter your Phone or Email. *READ CAUTION BELOW!
- If you choose Email, you’ll confirm your new account later. Open the email from Instagram and select Confirm your email address.
- If you choose Phone, you’ll need to enter the verification number sent to your phone. Once you’ve entered the verification code, tap Next.
- Next you’ll add your Instagram profile photo, Name, and Password.
- The next step will be to create a unique username. You can include dots, dashes, or numbers.
- You can skip the remaining steps for now.
- You’re logged in to your new account, and can switch to your original account!
*DO NOT use the same email or phone for your second Instagram account. Some readers have managed to do this and found themselves permanently locked out of the second account when they forgot their password. You MUST have different emails or phone numbers to recover your account!
And, per Instagram, “If you sign up with email, make sure you enter your email address correctly and choose an email address that only you can access. If you log out and forget your password, you’ll need to be able to access your email to get back into your Instagram account.”
Here’s a short video demonstration of the process outlined above:
How to add Instagram Account Switching to existing accounts
Account switching became available as part of Instagram version 7.15 for iOS and Android. First make sure your app is updated. If it IS and you still don’t have account switching, one user reported that deleting and reinstalling the app solved this issue.
You can add multiple Instagram accounts to switch between them without having to log out and log back in.
To add multiple Instagram accounts:
- Go to your profile and tap the 3 lines at top right.
- Tap the gear icon at the bottom.
- Scroll down and tap Add Account. It’s near the bottom.
- Enter the username and password of the account you’d like to add.
- Or log in with Facebook if that’s how you set up the other account.
To switch between accounts you’ve added:
- Go to your profile.
- Tap your username at the very top of the screen.
- Tap the account you’d like to switch to.
- OR you can switch from any tab via your profile picture in the bottom left!
Note that you can add up to 5 accounts on one device. source
From now on, just tap your Instagram profile picture at the bottom of any panel to switch between accounts.
Here’s a short video demonstration of the process outlined above:
Once you have multiple accounts added, you’ll see your profile photo appear in places throughout the app so you can always tell which one you’re using at the moment. I noticed that my account name appears in the comment field so I’m sure which account I’m using. Nice!
Where do I add an Instagram account? I don’t have this option.
Instagram is always moving this around. As of February 26, 2019, on iOS you tap the 3 lines OR swipe left on your profile panel to find the gear icon at the bottom.
It’s shown in the video directly above, as well as the screenshots below.
What about push notifications on multiple Instagram accounts?
If you’ve added multiple Instagram accounts, you may get push notifications from any account that has them turned on. This depends on when you last logged in and the number of devices that are logged in to an account.
How do I remove an Instagram account I’ve added?
To remove an Instagram account you’ve added, you can log out of the account:
- Go to your profile and switch to the account you’d like to remove.
- Tap the gear or settings icon in the top right.
- Scroll down and tap Log out of [username] or Log out of All Accounts. Logging out of all accounts will remove all the accounts you’ve added.
My removed Instagram account is still showing!
If you’re still having problems, my wonderful readers have offered 3 different solutions.
Option 1:
- Go log out of both accounts.
- Then go back to the home page where you log in. It’ll show the extra account still.
- The name will appear on the left and on the right will say log in for both.
- Hold down on the page and next to the log in tab an X will appear. Hit the X.
- It will prompt you that you will need all the info to log in again and ask if you’re certain.
- Hit accept.
Here’s another solution a reader found when that didn’t work!
- The X wasn’t active next to the account I wanted to remove.
- I removed Instagram from my iPhone by holding down the icon and tapping the little x in the corner.
- Then I re-downloaded the application from the App Store.
- I logged into my main account with my username and password.
- I went into settings and then to Add Account and added my second account again.
The third account is finally gone! PS. You have to be careful that you remember all of your usernames and passwords for this fix.
Plus, a third solution provided February 2019:
Here are the steps for removing an account from showing in your list that you’ve already deleted.
- Make sure you know the passwords for all your accounts.
- Log out of all your accounts.
- On the home page of the IG app, tap, Manage accounts.
- An X will appear next to the account name, tap that to remove the account you no longer want to appear.
- To remove another account, repeat step 4.
- Now you’ll be able to create / add new accounts.
If this isn’t working for you, use the Report a Problem feature in your account settings.
Unfortunately I can’t provide additional assistance, because I haven’t experienced this problem myself. Would love to get your insights if you’ve been able to solve it!
How to permanently delete an Instagram account
The instructions below are to permanently delete an Instagram account.
Permanently deleting your Instagram account cannot be undone!
After you delete your account, you can’t sign up again with the same username or add that username to another account. Instagram can’t reactivate deleted accounts.
When you delete your account, your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes and followers will be permanently removed.
If you’d prefer to take a break, you can temporarily disable your account instead.
If you’re sure you wish to permanently delete, log in at Instagram.com. You can’t delete your account from within the Instagram app on your mobile device.
To permanently delete your account:
- Go to the Delete Your Account page. If you’re not logged into Instagram on the web, you’ll be asked to log in first.
- Select an option from the drop-down menu next to Why are you deleting your account? and re-enter your password. The option to permanently delete your account will only appear after you’ve selected a reason from the menu.
- Click or tap Permanently delete my account.
- If you’d like to delete a different account, click the username in the top-right of the Delete Your Account page, tap/click on next to username and select Log Out. Log back in as the account you want to delete and follow the directions above.
For security reasons, Instagram can’t delete an account for you. You’ll need to be able to log into your account to delete it. If you can’t remember your password or username, here are tips for logging in. source
Wrapping Up
We covered all this:
- How to create another Instagram account
- How to add Instagram Account Switching to existing accounts
- Push notifications on multiple Instagram accounts
- How to remove an Instagram account you’ve added, with troubleshooting tips
- How to permanently delete an Instagram account
Missed something? Look for the purple banners above.
This is a long-awaited feature that I use daily.
Have you tried Instagram account switching yet?
Has it made your life easier for managing multiple Instagram accounts?
Anna W. says
Hi Louise! I have a problem with me personal account… I have two of them in the same app in the same phone, one personal and one for work. My work account it is perfect, it has all the updates, but for some reason my personal account does not get any update! The profile has the old diagramation and I cannot use the closed friends tool, it just does not appear… Do you know any solution? Thanks for your time!!
Louise Myers says
That’s something I haven’t heard yet! So strange. Hopefully if another reader has a suggestion they’ll chime in.
Anna W. says
Thanks for your answer! Hope someone knows 🙌🏻
Christy Meurer says
Thank you so much! I have done a lot of switching on IG and always land back at this article to help me! I swear IG makes it SO hard!
Louise Myers says
So glad it helps! Thank you as I seem to get a lot of complaints these days 🙂 It’s not me, it’s IG 🙂
Tracy says
Hi, I have a personal IG account but I have been asked to run an IG business account for a friend. Each account has its own email, log-in, password. My question is, are the accounts linked on both ends? Ex. If the business owner decides to one-day log-in into his business account, will he have access to my personal IG?
Do you think it’s best if I unlink the accounts? It is a pain logging in and out of accounts. A few months ago I was working on a course project and the professor suggested I link the school account to my IG account but I couldn’t find any information on privacy so I didn’t do it.
Louise Myers says
As far as I know, it’s not reciprocal linking. I have different accounts on 2 different devices. The other accounts don’t automatically show up on the other device. I need to know the password if I want to add them.
Lynne Comartin says
Hoping you can lend me a hand. I had a second Instagram account linked to my main account. I recently got a new phone and now the second account is not showing. When I try to add the second account, I just routed back to my original one and the second account never shows up. I try logging into just the second account and can’t seem to get in. I am now worried that I must have signed this second account up with the same phone number. Is there any way of recovering this account? I am so frustrated.
Louise Myers says
Can you log into the second account separately? If so, try to change to a different email and/or phone number.
I don’t believe there’s a way to recover a second account with the same email and/or phone number.
John Mkumbwa says
I’m facing the same problem, i had 3 instagram accounts and i have changed my phone after it fell down and broken to pieces. I cant get my two accounts and they are business accounts. I am having enough frustrations! I don’t know what to do. Confused
Louise Myers says
What I suggested didn’t work?
gosia says
Hi I just had the same problem. I could only load 3 of the 5 accounts om my new phone. I deleted the app and reloaded it and can now add the other 2 to have a total of 5 active accounts
Jackie says
Hi! This is happening to me…just today I got a new iPhone. I can only access my main account & 1 other account. The problem is I have 5. When I try to add another account it tells me I cannot add anymore. But I’m only logged into 2 of my 5 accounts:-/ I’m SO frustrated. I’m a Social Media Manager & these are 4 of my clients
Erik says
Same here. Can’t find anything on the issue anywhere online. Somehow the accounts got linked and can’t unlink.
Louise Myers says
Gosia commented above that deleting and reinstalling the app worked.
You could also try the 3rd suggestion under “How do I remove an Instagram account.” If that works you could then add them back.
Kirsty says
I’ve had the same problem, I found logging out of my main account then logging into my second account, I was then able to see my main account and switch between the 2!
Allison Gleason says
This is happening to me as well, my third account randomly was removed and I am unable to log back into it. I have removed the app and reinstalled.
Elle says
PLEASE make this possible on a computer!!
TY 🙂
Louise Myers says
I would if I could lol
Michelle Kinnane says
Unfortunately I have also changed phones and as a result no longer have access to my second account. … my most important account!!
SOOOO frustrating trying to get it back… have tried EVERYTHING!!
And reading your articles here, it looks like I won’t be getting it back!
I can’t believe this has happened… I always thought I would eventually find a way!!!!
Louise Myers says
If you do find an answer, I would love to spread the word. It seems a lot of peeps are in this situation. So let me know!
Best of luck.
Cath says
This is bad! I have forgotten my password for my second account and my email and phone details are the same! What am l going to do?! I have reported it with Instagram but l am getting no response 🙁
Louise Myers says
Can you change the first account to different email and phone? Then you might be able to get a password reset on the other one.
gosia says
Hi I just had the same problem. I could only load 3 of the 5 accounts on my new phone. I deleted the app and reloaded it and can now added the other 2 to have a total of 5 active accounts
April says
I’m In the same boat! Got a new phone and now can’t access my work account! I’m so frustrated
Navya says
Hi Lousie,
I have two instagram accounts with the same email id. I can access both the accounts from my phone but I cannot do the same with my laptop. Can you give me a solution for this?
Thanks for your time.
Navya
Louise Myers says
This option is only available on mobile devices.
Inger Eik Ravndal says
Hi Louise,
Maybe you can help me out with my issue? Currently I had 5 accounts at instagram. One of them, I managed to delete last week hoping to get another account instead of the one I deleted. This is where trouble starts. Under my profile, the deleted account is still going ( not operative) so I’m still not abel to log in to another account. So, my question is- how can I erase the deleted account at my profile? ( i guess I need to do this to get space for a new number 5)
Thanks,
Regards Inger Eik Ravndal
Louise Myers says
Hi, there are some suggestions towards the end of the article that have worked for others to remove an account. I don’t know of any other ways.
Marie says
So I did all 3 options on how to remove
“How do I remove an Instagram account I’ve added?” and non help. What did help to remove that unwanted account from showing up on my app was to logout of all accounts. Reset my iPhone and select erase all content and settings, obviously back up your phone prior to doing this. Once it reset I went back to the app logged back into the account I wanted to log into and that unwanted account was no longer there
Louise Myers says
Great, thanks for the tips!
Jenny says
Hi Lousie, I have two Instagram accounts, one to contact with my real friends and one for social purposes. I didn’t link the second one with facebook link but my acquaintances still can see it :(. How can I stop them find my second account out?
Louise Myers says
Most likely you’d need to make it private and/or not connect it to an IG account that’s linked to FB.
gina linville says
Hi, My question I searched for my original account, and it’s still there. I like to use my original acct, but not sure how to bring it up. Please advise… can I do it from my phone
or need to do on the desktop?
After I retrieve my orignal acct, I need to delete the one I added.
Thank you!
Gina
Louise Myers says
I don’t understand what you’re asking. “I like to use my original acct, but not sure how to bring it up.” Do you mean log in? Add it to another account? Get a password reset? You’ve lost me.
Accounts can only be linked on a mobile device, not on desktop.
Phil Foster says
I want to switch between accounts on my mac. Cannot find how to do this anywhere. Can you help
Louise Myers says
Instagram.com has limited features. If you’re interested, you can use one of these Instagram-approved third party apps.
Darlene Simmons says
Hi im having a bit of a problem…..I have two Instagram accounts and one of them I know there’s a link to one of my Facebook accounts and one of them is linked to a very old Facebook account that I can’t remember the email or password to that one and I am just trying to figure out how to log in while just using the Instagram username because that’s all I know the phone number and email address that is linked to that particular username account does not exist anymore it’s been a very long time since I’ve been on that account but all I can remember is the username can you please help me.
Louise Myers says
I don’t believe there’s any way to log into an account where you don’t know the password and have no way to recover it.
Joshua says
Since they last update of Instagram I’m not able to view last active status of my DM contacts even though I didn’t change the settings. My “show activity status”is ON. I tried uninstalling reinstall cleared the cache etc but nothing works. Strangely my last active is seen by my contacts.
I’m using dual app Instagram
Tamira says
Is account switching available via a PC? I can only see one of my accounts via a computer
Louise Myers says
It is not.
Jake says
I have a personal account and will be creating a new business account for a podcast. Once the accounts are connected, will I be able to quickly add my followers from the personal account? Or do I just need to search and request each person?
Thanks!
Louise Myers says
There’s no way to add followers from one account to another. I personally would suggest people follow the second account in posts on the first account. Be cautious of doing a lot of DMs as it could get your account blocked.
Phuong Le says
Hey,is that possible if your Instagram account disappeared? My friend just created one not long ago and now he said couldn’t find his account anymore which I find hard to believe.
Louise Myers says
With social media, I suppose anything is possible. Most likely he would have gotten a notification on why it was removed, though.
Arun Rao says
hi, my son used my existing account to make an attached linked account on Instagram. Now I want to de-link it so I can post on FB on two different accounts that I have. how do I do that? sure hope I can otherwise I am gonna have to share everything over and over again on the new FB profile.
Louise Myers says
Instructions to unlink are in the article. It’s not difficult.
Kristin Johnson says
Do you followers see all your accounts and posts in all accounts or do they just see the one they are following?
Louise Myers says
Only the one they’ve followed.
Kare says
I have a main IG Account and a secondary account that I toggle back and forth between. In trying to delete a photo I posted on the secondary, the three dots do not offer Delete! My primary one does. I’ve spent hours trying to learn how. Can you assist?
Louise Myers says
Sorry, I haven’t heard of this. I just tried it and have the option to Delete.
Stacy Nelson says
Hello- I have NO secondary instagram account, I have ONLY ever had one account. Why is my profile picture showing up on the bottom tab to the far right? I know this feature is usually used to toggle back and forth between accounts but I’ve only ever had the one. So why all of a sudden is the profile pic showing up down at the bottom? This has gotten me into a heap of trouble recently someone thinking I have multiple account but I don’t, and I don’t know how to prove it. Any help is appreciated , thank you!
Louise Myers says
That icon is the link to your profile page. If it’s new to you, I can tell you that it no longer allows toggling between accounts. Not sure what icon you had before to get to your profile – maybe generic? But switching accounts now can ONLY be done from the TOP CENTER of your profile.
A says
So I should be able to use the same email account if I want to create new instagram at a later time?
Louise Myers says
If you deleted the account associated with the email address, then I don’t expect a problem. Don’t have 2 active accounts with the same email though!
Alex says
I want to link two accounts, but when I go to my profile, there are NOT three lines, as you say. What next?
Louise Myers says
Find your settings from your profile page on mobile. Mine is 3 lines. Maybe yours is 3 dots or a gear.
Debra Ponte says
I had one and added another. Now can not post photos on my 1st one? EEK? I did not know how to go between the 2 to post very different photos on each? Should I delete the 2nd one to regain my first?
Thank You so much. Debra
Louise Myers says
I’m not sure what the problem is. Are you able to open the first account but just not post to it?
In any event, I’m doubtful that deleting the 2nd one will fix anything on the first.
Diane says
I have an instagram account with name and all. One hashtag I use is #keepasharpeye and it has made its own page with no name. Someone else also posts on this. What can I do about it?
Louise Myers says
You might be able to do something IF you’ve trademarked your business name… tho that’s a standard phrase and probably not eligible to be trademarked.
You could ask them to stop. Or maybe pick something less generic, because this tag is likely to be used by others.
Laurie says
Hi! I have a personal IG account and a few years ago created & added an account for a non-profit that I volunteer with. I really want to un-link the accounts so that another person with the non-profit and post on our IG. Can I do this? I don’t want to delete the account and start over if I don’t have to…it’s taken a while to build our followers. Any suggestions??
Thanks!
Louise Myers says
I don’t know IG rules on having multiple people log into an account. I assume it’s OK if it’s a business account, but you should look up best practices for this. The one thing I’m fairly sure of is you can’t “sell” an account, but I have no idea about *giving* it to someone else. I’m guessing it’s linked to your FB which could make things tricky.
Sorry, this is way out of my expertise.