The basic steps to add a second Instagram account
To add another Instagram account to the same phone or app, open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and scroll down to find "Accounts." Tap "Add account" and enter the username and password for the account you want to add. Instagram will log you in and save that account to your device.
Once you've added a second account, you can switch between them without logging out each time. Tap your profile icon, then tap the account name at the top of the menu — a list of all your saved accounts will appear. Select whichever one you want to use. The account you're currently using will show a checkmark next to its name.
You can add up to five Instagram accounts on a single device this way. Each account stays logged in until you manually remove it, so switching is instant. This method works on both iPhone and Android phones, and also on the Instagram web app if you're using a computer.
Key Takeaways
- You can store up to five Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them instantly without logging out.
- To add an account, go to your profile, open the menu, find "Accounts," and tap "Add account" with the username and password ready.
- The account you're currently using shows a checkmark when you view your account list, making it easy to see which one is active.
- Removing an account from your device logs it out but does not delete the account itself — you can add it back later.
What happens when you add an account versus logging out and back in
Adding an account keeps both (or more) profiles logged in at the same time on your device. Logging out and logging back in removes the previous account entirely and replaces it with a new one. If you only have one account saved and you log out, you'll have to type your password again the next time you want to use Instagram.
The "add account" method is faster if you switch between accounts regularly — you just tap and select. It also means you won't miss notifications from either account while you're using the other one. Both accounts receive notifications and messages even when you're not actively viewing them.
The trade-off is that each saved account uses a small amount of your device's storage. For most phones this is not noticeable, but if you're running low on space, you can remove accounts you don't use often and log back in when you need them.
How to remove an account from your device
To remove an account without deleting it, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, and select "Accounts." Find the account you want to remove and tap "Remove." Instagram will ask you to confirm — tap "Remove" again. That account is now logged out on your device, but the account itself still exists and you can add it back anytime.
Removing an account from your device is different from deleting the account entirely. Removing just logs it out. Deleting the account is permanent and requires going to Instagram's settings on a computer or through the app's account settings menu — it's a separate process that takes time to complete.
Adding accounts on different devices
Each device keeps its own list of saved accounts. If you add an account on your iPhone, it won't automatically appear on your Android phone or computer. You'll need to add it separately on each device where you want to use it. This means you might have different accounts saved on your phone than on your tablet or laptop.
If you log into an account on one device and then add it on another, both devices will show it as saved. But the list of which accounts are saved where is separate — removing an account from your phone won't remove it from your computer.
Troubleshooting when you can't add an account
If you see an error message when trying to add an account, the most common cause is an incorrect username or password. Double-check both before trying again. Make sure you're using the username (not the display name), and that caps lock is off if your password has uppercase letters.
If the username and password are correct but you still can't add the account, try logging out of all accounts and logging back in to one. Then try adding the second account again. If that doesn't work, close the Instagram app completely and reopen it. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to close the app; on Android, swipe up from the bottom and hold.
If you've tried these steps and still see an error, the account itself might have a security issue — Instagram may have locked it temporarily if it detected unusual activity. In that case, you'll need to verify your identity through Instagram's security tools before you can log in from a new device. Go to Instagram.com on a computer and try logging in there to see if you get more information about what's blocking access.
What to do if you forget which account is which
When you have multiple accounts saved, it's easy to mix them up. Each account's profile picture and username appear in the account switcher menu, so you can identify them there. If the profile pictures look similar or you're not sure which account is which, tap into each one briefly to check the bio or recent posts before switching back.
You can also change the display name or profile picture of any account to make it easier to tell them apart. Just switch to that account, go to "Edit profile," and update the information. A clear, distinct profile picture for each account makes switching much faster when you're juggling multiple profiles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add someone else's Instagram account to my phone?
Yes, if you have their username and password. However, this means they can see your activity on that account and you can see theirs. For shared accounts (like a business account managed by multiple people), this is common. For personal accounts, it's better to keep passwords private and use Instagram's "Shared Account" feature if available in your region.
Will adding an account use more data or battery?
Having multiple accounts saved uses slightly more battery because Instagram checks for notifications on all of them. The difference is usually small unless you have five accounts saved and all of them are very active. Data usage is similar — you only use data when you're actively browsing, not just from having the accounts saved.
What if I added an account by mistake?
Go to your profile, tap the menu, select "Accounts," find the account you added by mistake, and tap "Remove." The account is logged out but not deleted. If you need to add it back later, you can — just use the same username and password.
Can I add a business account and a personal account at the same time?
Yes. You can add any combination of personal and business accounts up to the five-account limit. Switch between them the same way you'd switch between two personal accounts. Notifications and messages come through for all of them.