Instagram lets you switch between multiple accounts on the same phone without logging out and back in each time
You can add up to five accounts total to a single Instagram app on your phone or computer. Once you add them, you'll see a profile icon at the bottom right of the app with a number showing how many accounts are connected. Tap that icon and you can switch between accounts when ready — no password entry needed each time.
This is different from sharing login credentials with someone else. Adding an account means you're storing your own login information on your device so you can access it quickly. If you want another person to manage your account, that's a separate process involving business tools or account permissions, not adding accounts to your app.
Key Takeaways
- You can store up to five Instagram accounts on a single app installation, and switch between them by tapping your profile icon.
- Adding an account requires you to log in with that account's username and password at least once on your device.
- Removing an account from your phone doesn't delete the account itself — it just logs it out of that app.
- If you forget a password, you'll need to reset it through Instagram's password recovery before you can add that account to your app.
Steps to add another account on your phone
Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) at the top right, then scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. Select Settings, then scroll to the bottom and tap Log out. You'll see a button that says Log out of [your username] — tap that.
You're now at the login screen. Tap Log in and enter the username (or email or phone number) and password for the second account you want to add. Once you're logged in, go back to your profile and tap the menu again. You should now see an option that says Switch accounts or shows a number next to your profile icon. Tap that icon to see both accounts listed, and you can tap either one to switch when ready.
If you want to add a third, fourth, or fifth account, repeat the same process: log out, log in with the next account's credentials, and you'll see it appear in your account list.
Adding an account on Instagram's website or desktop app
The process is similar on a computer. Log out of your current account by clicking your profile icon in the top right, then clicking Settings, scrolling down, and clicking Log out. At the login page, enter the username and password for the account you want to add.
Once logged in, click your profile icon again and you should see Switch accounts or a list showing all connected accounts. Click the account name to switch. Desktop and web browsers work the same way as the phone app — you can store multiple logins and switch between them without re-entering passwords each time.
What happens if you don't remember the password for the second account
You won't be able to add the account to your app until you reset the password. Go to Instagram.com on any browser, click Forgot password? on the login page, and enter the username or email address for that account. Instagram will send a password reset link to the email address on file for that account.
Click the link, create a new password, and save it somewhere you can find it. Then go back to your phone or computer and log in with the new password. Once you're logged in, that account will be added to your app's account list.
Removing an account from your phone without deleting it
If you want to stop seeing an account in your app's account list, tap your profile icon, then tap the account you want to remove. Tap the menu (three lines), go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, scroll down, and tap Log out. Choose Log out of [username]. That account is now removed from your app, but the account itself still exists on Instagram — you can log back in anytime.
Removing an account from your phone does not delete the account, change the password, or affect anything on Instagram's servers. It only logs that account out of the app on that specific device.
Why you might see a login screen asking for a code
If Instagram asks for a two-factor authentication code when you try to add an account, it means that account has two-factor security turned on. You'll need access to the phone number or authentication app linked to that account to complete the login. If you don't have access to that phone or app, you'll need to turn off two-factor authentication for that account before you can add it to your device.
To do this, log in on a different device or browser where you already have access, go to Settings and privacy > Settings > Security, and turn off two-factor authentication. Then try adding the account again on your main phone or computer.
Switching between accounts and what each account sees
When you switch to a different account using the account switcher, you're fully logged in as that account. Your followers, messages, posts, and settings are all for that account only. If someone sends a direct message to one of your accounts, it won't appear in the other account's inbox — each account has its own separate message history.
Switching accounts is when ready and doesn't log you out of the other accounts. They all stay logged in on your device, so you can tap the profile icon and jump between them without waiting for anything to load or entering a password again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone else's account to my phone?
Yes, but only if you have their username and password. Adding an account to your phone means storing their login information on your device, so you should only do this for accounts you own or have permission to manage. If you want to give someone else access to your account without sharing your password, use Instagram's business account features instead.
What if I add an account and then change its password?
The account will stay logged in on your phone or computer. The next time you try to switch to it, it will work fine. You only need to re-enter the password if you log out of that account or if Instagram asks you to log back in for security reasons.
Does adding multiple accounts to my phone slow it down?
No. Instagram stores the login information locally on your device, and switching between accounts is nearly when ready. Having five accounts logged in uses minimal storage and won't affect your phone's performance.
Can I add an account if I don't have the email address or phone number?
You need either the username and password, or the email address and password, to log in. If you only have the username and don't remember the password, use the Forgot password? option and reset it through the email address on file for that account.