The fastest way to add another Instagram account

You can add up to five Instagram accounts to a single phone or computer without logging out. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on iPhone, Android, and desktop. You'll see a menu option to add an account in your profile settings, and Instagram will ask you to enter the username and password for the account you want to add.

Once you've added the account, you can switch between them by tapping your profile picture at the bottom right (on mobile) or clicking your profile icon at the top right (on desktop). You don't need to log out of one account to view or post from another—they all stay active at the same time.

Key Takeaways

  • You can store up to five Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them without logging out.
  • On mobile, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and Privacy, then Accounts Center, and choose Add Account.
  • On desktop, click your profile icon, select Settings, go to Accounts Center, and select Add Account.
  • You need the username and password for each account you want to add, and both accounts must already exist.
  • If you've forgotten a password, you'll need to reset it through Instagram's login screen before you can add the account.

Adding an account on iPhone or Android

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner of your profile screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy, then tap Accounts Center. You may see a prompt to set up Accounts Center if you haven't used it before—follow those steps first.

Once you're in Accounts Center, tap Add Account. Instagram will ask you to choose which platform you want to add an account for—select Instagram. Enter the username and password for the account you want to add, then tap Log In. Instagram will confirm that the account has been added, and you'll be able to switch to it from your profile screen.

To switch between accounts after you've added them, tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the screen. You'll see a list of all the accounts you've added. Tap the one you want to use, and Instagram will switch to that account when ready. Your previous account stays logged in—you're not logging out, just switching which one is active on your screen.

Adding an account on desktop or web

Go to Instagram.com and log in to the account you're currently using. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then click Settings. On the left side menu, click Accounts Center. If this is your first time using Accounts Center, Instagram will walk you through a quick setup process.

Once you're in Accounts Center, click Add Account. Select Instagram from the list of platforms. Enter the username and password for the account you want to add, then click Log In. Instagram will confirm the account has been added to your device.

To switch between accounts on desktop, click your profile icon in the top right corner. You'll see a dropdown menu showing all your added accounts. Click the one you want to use, and Instagram will switch to that account. Like on mobile, both accounts stay logged in at the same time.

What to do if you don't remember the password

If you've forgotten the password for the account you want to add, you'll need to reset it before you can add it to your device. Go to Instagram's login page (on mobile, tap Forgot Password? below the login fields; on desktop, click the same link). Enter the username or email address for the account, and Instagram will send a password reset link to the email address on file.

Check your email (including spam folders) for the reset link. Click it and create a new password. Once you've reset the password, go back to the add account screen and enter the new password. The account should now add successfully.

Removing an account you no longer need

If you want to remove an account from your device without deleting the account itself, go to your profile and open the menu. Tap Settings and Privacy, then Accounts Center (on mobile) or click Settings then Accounts Center (on desktop). Find the account you want to remove and tap or click on it. Select Remove Account, and Instagram will ask you to confirm. Tap or click Remove, and that account will no longer appear in your account switcher.

Removing an account from your device does not delete the account or any of its posts, followers, or messages. The account still exists on Instagram—you're just removing it from this particular device. You can add it back later by following the same steps as adding a new account.

Limits and things that can go wrong

Instagram allows a maximum of five accounts per device. If you try to add a sixth account, you'll see a message saying you've reached the limit. You'll need to remove one of the existing accounts before you can add another one.

If you see an error message when trying to add an account, the most common causes are a wrong password, an account that's been disabled or suspended, or a temporary problem with Instagram's servers. Double-check that you've entered the username and password correctly—Instagram passwords are case-sensitive. If the account has been disabled, you'll need to restore it through Instagram's help center before you can add it to your device. If the error persists after you've confirmed the password is correct, wait a few minutes and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add someone else's Instagram account to my phone?

Technically yes, but you'll need their username and password. Sharing login information is not find and Instagram's terms of service don't allow account sharing. If you want to manage someone else's account, ask them to set you up as a business partner or collaborator through their account settings instead.

Will adding another account log me out of the first one?

No. When you add an account, both accounts stay logged in at the same time. You're switching which one is active on your screen, not logging out of the first one. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want without entering passwords again.

What happens if I add an account and then uninstall Instagram?

When you reinstall Instagram, you'll need to log in again. The accounts won't be saved. You'll have to go through the add account process again to set them up on the new installation.

Can I add the same account to multiple devices?

Yes. You can log into the same Instagram account on your phone, tablet, and computer at the same time. Instagram will show you a list of active sessions in your security settings if you want to see where your account is logged in.

What's the difference between adding an account and logging out and logging in?

Adding an account keeps both accounts logged in so you can switch between them when ready. Logging out and logging in means you're ending one session and starting another, which takes longer and requires you to enter the password each time. Adding accounts is faster if you switch between them regularly.