You can create a second Instagram account using the same email, phone number, or a new one — the fastest way is through the app itself without logging out

Instagram lets you create multiple accounts and switch between them without logging out each time. You do not need a separate phone or email address for each account, though Instagram will ask you to verify a phone number or email at signup. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way on iPhone and Android.

The most common reason to create a second account is to keep a personal profile separate from a business or creative one, or to manage a brand account without mixing it with your personal activity. You can also create accounts for different purposes — a finsta (fake Instagram) for close friends, a photography portfolio, or a professional presence.

Key Takeaways

  • You can create a second account directly in the Instagram app by tapping your profile picture, scrolling to the bottom, and selecting "Create account".
  • You do not need a new email address or phone number — you can reuse the same one across multiple accounts, though Instagram will ask you to verify it.
  • Once you create the second account, you can switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture and selecting the account name from the list.
  • Each account has its own followers, posts, messages, and settings, so activity on one account does not affect the other.
  • If you forget the password to your second account, you can reset it using the email or phone number you registered with, even if that same credential is tied to your first account.

Creating a second account through the app

Open Instagram and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Scroll all the way to the bottom of your profile menu and tap "Create account". Instagram will ask you to enter a name, email or phone number, and a password. You can use the same email or phone number you used for your first account — Instagram will send a verification code to that address, and you enter the code to confirm.

After you verify, Instagram will ask you to add a profile picture and bio, but you can skip both and do it later. Once you finish, you will be logged into your new account. Your first account is still saved on your phone, and you can switch back to it anytime.

If you want to create an account with a completely new email address instead, the process is identical — just enter a different email at the signup screen. Instagram will verify that email the same way.

Switching between your accounts

Tap your profile picture in the bottom right, and you will see a list of all accounts saved on your phone. Tap the account name you want to switch to, and Instagram loads that account when ready. You stay logged into both accounts at the same time, so switching takes one tap.

If you have more than two accounts, they all appear in the same list. You can add up to five accounts per phone before Instagram requires you to log out of one to add another.

What happens when you use the same email or phone for multiple accounts

Instagram allows the same email address or phone number to be registered to multiple accounts. When you try to verify a second account with an email you already used, Instagram sends a new verification code to that email. You enter the code in the app, and the verification completes — both accounts are now tied to the same email.

This matters for password recovery. If you forget the password to either account, you can reset it by choosing "Forgot password?" on the login screen, entering the email or phone number, and following the reset link Instagram sends. You will then choose which account to reset the password for if multiple accounts use the same email.

Using the same email for multiple accounts does not link the accounts otherwise — your followers, posts, and messages stay separate. Instagram does not automatically follow the same people on both accounts or copy your settings.

Using a phone number instead of email

You can create an account with a phone number instead of an email address. Tap "Create account", select the phone number option, and enter your number. Instagram sends a six-digit code via text message. Enter the code in the app to verify. The same phone number can be used for multiple accounts, and the verification process works the same way each time.

If you later want to add an email address to an account that only has a phone number, go to Settings, tap Account, and select "Email". Instagram will send a verification code to the email you enter.

Removing or logging out of a second account

If you want to stop seeing a second account in your profile menu, tap your profile picture, find the account in the list, and swipe left on it (iPhone) or long-press it (Android). Select "Remove" or "Log out". The account is not deleted — it is just removed from your phone. You can log back in anytime using the email or phone number and password.

If you want to permanently delete a second account instead of just removing it from your phone, go to Settings, tap Account, and select "Delete account". Instagram will ask you to confirm and will give you the option to read your data first. Once you delete an account, it cannot be recovered.

Common problems and how to fix them

Instagram says the email is already in use. This happens when you try to create a new account with an email that is already tied to an existing account on your phone. If you want to use that same email for a second account, log out of the first account, then create the new one. Once the new account is verified, you can log back into the first account — both will then share the same email.

You are not receiving the verification code. Check that you entered the email or phone number correctly. If the number is correct, wait a few minutes — the code can take up to five minutes to arrive. If it still does not come, tap "Didn't get the code?" in the app and ask Instagram to send it again. If you are using a phone number, make sure your phone plan includes text messages.

You forgot the password to your second account. On the login screen, tap "Forgot password?" and enter the email or phone number tied to that account. Instagram sends a reset link to that email or a code via text. Follow the link or enter the code to create a new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a second account without a phone number or email?

No. Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create any account. You must verify one or the other before you can use the account. You can use the same email or phone for multiple accounts, but you cannot skip verification entirely.

Will Instagram know that both accounts are mine?

Instagram's systems can detect when multiple accounts are used from the same phone or IP address, but this does not automatically link the accounts or restrict them. However, if you use both accounts to break Instagram's rules — like spam, harassment, or ban evasion — Instagram may take action against both accounts.

Can I have different usernames on each account?

Yes. Each account has its own username, bio, followers, and posts. You choose the username when you create the account, and you can change it anytime in Settings.

What if I want to create an account for someone else on my phone?

You can create the account using their email or phone number, but they should change the password when ready after you create it. Once the account is created, they can log in on their own phone using that email or phone number and the password you set. It is safer to let them create their own account using their own email or phone number.

Can I merge two accounts together?

No. Instagram does not have a built-in merge feature. If you want to combine followers or posts from two accounts, you would need to manually copy the content or ask followers to switch to the account you want to keep. The other account would then need to be deleted.