The fastest way to switch accounts on Instagram
Instagram lets you switch between accounts without logging out and back in each time. If you have multiple accounts on the same phone or computer, you can add them all to the app and flip between them in seconds. The switch happens in your profile tab — tap your username at the top, and a menu shows every account you have stored there.
This works on the mobile app and on the web version. You do not need to remember passwords each time you switch, and you stay logged in to all of them simultaneously. The limitation is that you can only add up to five accounts per device, and you must have the login credentials for each one when you first set them up.
Key Takeaways
- You can store up to five Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them by tapping your username in the profile tab.
- Adding an account requires you to log in with that account's username and password at least once.
- Once added, you stay logged in to all accounts at the same time and can switch without re-entering passwords.
- If you have more than five accounts or want to remove an account from a device, you can do that in your settings without deleting the account itself.
How to add a second account to your phone
Open Instagram and go to your profile tab — the person icon at the bottom right. Tap your username at the very top of the screen. A menu appears with the option to "Add account" at the bottom. Tap it.
Instagram asks you to log in with the username and password of the account you want to add. Enter those credentials and tap "Log in". Once you are in, that account is now stored on your device. You can repeat this process up to five times total.
After you add the second account, you will see both usernames in that same menu. Tap whichever one you want to use, and Instagram switches to that account when ready. Your stories, messages, feed, and followers all change to match the account you selected.
Switching accounts on the web version
The web version works the same way. Go to Instagram.com, log in with your first account, and go to your profile. Click your username at the top left, and you will see "Switch accounts" in the dropdown menu. Click it.
Instagram prompts you to log in with a different account's credentials. Enter the username and password, and you are now logged into both accounts in the same browser. Click your username again to see both accounts listed, and click whichever one you want to use.
The web version also stores up to five accounts. If you use Instagram on both your phone and your computer, the accounts you add on one device do not automatically appear on the other — you have to add them separately on each device.
What happens when you reach the five-account limit
If you try to add a sixth account, Instagram will not let you. You have to remove one of the existing accounts from that device first. Removing an account from your device does not delete the account itself — it just logs you out of it on that particular phone or computer.
To remove an account, go to your profile, tap your username at the top, and hold down on the account you want to remove. A menu appears with the option to "Remove". Tap it. The account is now off that device, and you can add a different one in its place.
Logging out of one account without logging out of all of them
If you want to stop using one of your stored accounts on a device but keep the others, you remove it from the switcher menu rather than logging out entirely. Go to your profile, tap your username, hold down on the account you want to remove, and select "Remove". You stay logged into your other accounts.
If you want to log out of all accounts at once, go to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Log out". This removes every account from that device. You will have to log back in to each one individually if you want to use them again.
Switching accounts when you have forgotten a password
If you have an account stored on your device and you want to keep using it, you do not need to remember the password — you stay logged in until you remove it or log out. But if you remove the account by mistake or want to add it to a different device, you will need the password to log back in.
To reset a password, go to the Instagram login screen on any device, tap "Forgot password?", and enter the username or email address for that account. Instagram sends a reset link to the email on file. Click the link, create a new password, and you can log in again.
Once you have reset the password, you can add the account to any device using the new password. The old password no longer works.
Switching between accounts on Instagram Direct Messages
When you switch accounts, your Direct Messages switch too. If you are in a conversation with Account A and you switch to Account B, you will see Account B's message inbox instead. Any messages you send will come from Account B.
This is useful if you manage multiple accounts and need to respond to messages from each one. Just remember that switching accounts changes everything — your feed, your stories, your followers, and your messages all belong to the account you are currently using.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same email address for multiple Instagram accounts?
No. Each Instagram account must have a unique email address associated with it. If you want to create a second account, you need a different email. You can use an email you already own — just add a plus sign and a word to it (like yourname+business@gmail.com) and Instagram treats it as a separate address.
If I switch accounts, can someone see that I am using multiple accounts?
Not automatically. Your followers on one account cannot see that you also run another account unless you tell them or they find it themselves. However, if you follow the same person from both accounts, they can see both follows in their follower list.
What if I want to delete one of my accounts instead of just removing it from my device?
Removing an account from your device is different from deleting it. To permanently delete an Instagram account, go to the account's settings on any device, find the "Delete account" option, and follow the prompts. Instagram gives you a grace period before the account is fully gone, during which you can change your mind.
Can I switch accounts while I am in the middle of posting a story or photo?
No. If you switch accounts while composing a post, Instagram will discard what you have written. Finish posting to one account before you switch to another. The same applies to Direct Messages — send your message before switching accounts.
Do I need to be online to switch between accounts?
You need an internet connection to switch accounts and load the new account's feed. However, once you have switched, you can view content you have already loaded even if your connection drops temporarily.