How to add another account on Instagram
Instagram lets you add up to five accounts total on one phone or device, and switch between them without logging out each time. You do this through the settings menu on the account you're already logged into — you don't need a separate app or a new phone. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on iPhone and Android.
To add another account, open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) at the top right, then scroll down and tap Settings and privacy. Tap Account, then Add account. You'll see a screen asking whether you want to log in with a password, phone number, email, or Facebook. Enter the login details for the account you want to add, and Instagram will verify it. Once verified, that account appears in your profile switcher, and you can tap between accounts instantly.
Key Takeaways
- You can store up to five Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them without logging out.
- The account you're adding must already exist — you cannot create a new account from the add-account screen.
- You access the add-account option through Settings and privacy > Account > Add account on any account you're already logged into.
- Once added, accounts appear in a dropdown menu at the top of your profile, and you can tap to switch instantly.
What happens when you add an account
When you add an account, Instagram stores the login information on your device. The next time you open Instagram, you'll see a dropdown menu at the top of your profile showing all the accounts you've added. Tap any account name to switch to it instantly — you stay logged into all of them at once.
Each account keeps its own feed, messages, followers, and settings. If you post from one account, it doesn't affect the others. Your notifications, saved posts, and story views are separate for each account too. This setup is useful if you run a business account and a personal account, or if multiple people in your household share a device.
Adding an account you don't have the password for
If you're trying to add an account but don't have the password, you'll need to recover it first. On the Instagram login screen, tap Forgot password? and enter the username or email address for that account. Instagram will send a password reset link to the email address on file or to your phone number, depending on how the account was set up.
Once you've reset the password, use the new password to add the account through Settings and privacy > Account > Add account. If you don't have access to the email or phone number tied to the account, you won't be able to add it to your device — Instagram has no other way to verify ownership.
Removing an account from your device
To remove an account from your device without deleting it, go to Settings and privacy > Account, then tap the account name you want to remove. Tap Remove. The account stays active on Instagram's servers — you're just removing it from this device. You can add it back anytime by going through the add-account process again.
Removing an account from your device does not log you out of it on other devices. If you're logged into that account on your computer or tablet, you'll stay logged in there. Only this device loses access to it.
Switching between accounts quickly
Once you've added multiple accounts, tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the account name at the top of your profile. A dropdown menu shows all your added accounts. Tap the one you want to switch to, and Instagram loads that account's feed, messages, and settings instantly.
You can also swipe left on your profile picture at the top of the feed to cycle through accounts. This works only if you have two or more accounts added. The swipe method is faster if you switch back and forth between the same two accounts often.
Troubleshooting when an account won't add
If you see an error message when trying to add an account, the most common cause is an incorrect password or username. Double-check that you're using the exact username or email address for that account, and that the password is typed correctly. Passwords are case-sensitive.
If the password is correct but the account still won't add, try logging out of your current account completely, then log back in and try adding the second account again. Sometimes Instagram's cache gets stuck. If that doesn't work, close the app entirely, restart your phone, and try once more. If the account still won't add after these steps, the account may have two-factor authentication turned on — you'll need to enter a verification code from your phone or authentication app when you add it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add an account that belongs to someone else?
Technically yes, but only if you have the password. Instagram doesn't verify who owns the account when you add it — it only verifies that the password is correct. If you're adding someone else's account to your device, they'll be able to see that you're logged in if they check their login activity in Settings and privacy > Security > Login activity.
What happens if I add an account and then change its password?
The account stays logged in on your device. Changing the password on Instagram's website or app doesn't automatically log you out on other devices. If you want to log out of that account on this device, you'll need to remove it through Settings and privacy > Account.
Can I add a business account and a personal account at the same time?
Yes. You can add up to five accounts total, and they can be any mix of personal, business, or creator accounts. Each one functions independently, and you switch between them the same way.
Will adding another account use more data or storage?
Adding an account uses very little extra storage — just enough to store the login information. Data usage depends on how much you use each account, not on how many are added. If you're not actively using an account, it doesn't consume data in the background.