The fastest way to switch accounts on Instagram
If you have more than one Instagram account, you can switch between them without logging out and back in each time. Instagram lets you add up to five accounts to a single device, then tap between them in seconds. The process is the same on iPhone, Android, and the web version — you add the account once, then use the profile icon to jump between them whenever you want.
You do not need to remember passwords each time you switch. Once you have added an account to your device, Instagram keeps you logged in on all of them at once. This is useful if you run a personal account and a business account, or if you manage accounts for different purposes.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to five Instagram accounts to one device and switch between them by tapping your profile icon and selecting a different account.
- Adding an account requires you to log in once with the username and password, but after that you stay logged in on all accounts simultaneously.
- On the mobile app, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the account name at the top to see all your accounts and switch between them.
- On Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the bottom left, then select "Switch accounts" to jump to a different account without logging out.
- If you want to remove an account from your device, go to settings, tap "Accounts," and select "Remove" next to the account you no longer want on that device.
How to add a new account to your device
Before you can switch between accounts, you need to add each one to your device. Open the Instagram app or go to Instagram.com and log in with your first account if you are not already logged in. Then tap or click your profile icon — on mobile it is in the bottom right corner, on the web it is in the bottom left.
Look for an option that says "Add account" or shows a plus sign. Tap or click it, then enter the username and password for the second account you want to add. Instagram will log you in to that account. Repeat this process for any additional accounts you want to add, up to five total per device.
After you have added all your accounts, they will all stay logged in on that device. You do not have to log in again unless you manually log out of an account or change your password.
Switching accounts on the Instagram mobile app
Once you have added multiple accounts, switching between them takes one tap. Open the Instagram app and look at the bottom right corner — you will see your profile icon. Tap it to go to your profile page. At the very top of your profile, you will see your account name or username.
Tap on that account name. A menu will appear showing all the accounts you have added to this device. Tap the name of the account you want to switch to. Instagram will when ready show you that account's feed, profile, and messages. Your previous account stays logged in in the background.
You can switch back and forth between accounts as many times as you want in a single session. There is no limit to how many times per day you can switch.
Switching accounts on Instagram.com
The web version of Instagram works the same way. Log in to your first account at Instagram.com. Click your profile icon in the bottom left corner of the screen. A menu will drop down with several options.
Look for "Switch accounts" in that menu and click it. You will see a list of all accounts you have added to this browser. Click the account name you want to switch to, and Instagram will load that account's feed and profile. Like the mobile app, all your accounts stay logged in at once.
If you do not see "Switch accounts" in the menu, it means you have only added one account to this browser. You will need to add another account first using the "Add account" option.
Removing an account from your device
If you no longer want an account to stay logged in on your device, you can remove it without deleting the account itself. On the mobile app, tap your profile icon, then tap the account name at the top. Long-press or hold down on the account you want to remove from this device.
A menu will appear with options including "Remove." Tap "Remove" and Instagram will log that account out on this device only. The account still exists and you can log back in anytime by entering the username and password again. Removing an account from one device does not affect it on other devices.
On Instagram.com, click your profile icon, then click "Settings." Go to "Accounts" and you will see a list of all accounts logged in on this browser. Click "Remove" next to the account you want to log out, and it will be removed from this browser.
What happens to your messages and notifications when you switch
When you switch to a different account, you will see the messages and notifications for that account only. If someone sends a direct message to your first account while you are viewing your second account, you will not see that message until you switch back to the first account.
Each account has its own separate inbox, notification history, and saved posts. Switching accounts does not merge or share any of this information between them. Think of it like having separate inboxes for each account — when you switch, you are looking at a completely different inbox.
Troubleshooting account switching problems
If you cannot see the option to add or switch accounts, make sure you are using the current version of the Instagram app. Open your device's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and check if there is an update available for Instagram. Install any updates and try again.
If you are on Instagram.com and the "Switch accounts" option is missing, try logging out completely and logging back in. Sometimes the browser cache can prevent the option from showing. You can also try using a different browser to see if the option appears there.
If you have added an account but cannot see it in the account list, the account may have been deactivated or suspended. Check that the account is still active by logging in to it directly on a different device or browser. If the account is active, try removing it from your device and adding it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch accounts without logging out?
Yes. Once you add multiple accounts to your device, they all stay logged in at the same time. You can switch between them when ready by tapping your profile icon and selecting a different account name. You never have to log out to switch.
What is the maximum number of accounts I can add to one device?
Instagram allows you to add up to five accounts to a single device. If you have more than five accounts, you will need to log out of one and log in to another, or use a different device to add more accounts.
If I switch accounts on my phone, does it switch on my computer too?
No. Each device keeps its own separate list of logged-in accounts. If you add an account to your phone, it does not automatically appear on your computer. You will need to add it separately on each device where you want to use it.
Will switching accounts delete any of my posts or messages?
No. Switching accounts only changes which account you are viewing. It does not delete, change, or affect any content on either account. All your posts, messages, and followers stay exactly as they are.
Can someone else see my other accounts if I switch on a shared device?
Yes. If you add multiple accounts to a shared device, anyone who uses that device can see all the account names in the account list and tap to switch to them. If you want to keep accounts private on a shared device, do not add them to that device — log in and out instead, or use a different device.