Creating a second Instagram account on the same phone or computer
You can create a second Instagram account without deleting your first one. Instagram lets you add up to five accounts to a single device, and you can switch between them without logging out and back in each time. The process takes about five minutes and requires only an email address or phone number you haven't used on Instagram before.
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Account, then Add account. Instagram will show you a screen that says "Create new account" or "Log in". Choose Create new account. From there, you'll enter an email address or phone number, create a username, set a password, and add your name. You can skip the profile picture and bio for now — Instagram will let you finish setting up later.
Key Takeaways
- You can store up to five Instagram accounts on one device and switch between them without logging out.
- Each new account needs its own email address or phone number that hasn't been used on Instagram before.
- You create a new account from Settings and privacy > Account > Add account, not by signing out of your current one.
- Once you've added multiple accounts, your profile icon will show a number or dropdown menu so you can switch accounts instantly.
- If you want to use the same email for two accounts, you'll need to remove it from the first account before adding it to the second.
What happens when you add a second account to your device
After you create the new account, Instagram stores it on your phone or computer. Your profile icon at the bottom right will now show a small number (like "2") or a dropdown arrow. Tap it to see a list of all your accounts on that device. Switching between them is instant — you don't have to log out of one to log into another.
Each account has its own feed, followers, messages, and notifications. When you're logged into Account 1, you won't see messages or notifications from Account 2 until you switch to it. This separation is complete: if you post from Account 1, Account 2 won't automatically follow that account or see the post in its feed unless Account 2 follows Account 1 the way any other account would.
Using the same email or phone number for multiple accounts
Instagram doesn't allow the same email address or phone number to be attached to two active accounts at the same time. If you want to use your primary email for a second account, you'll need to remove it from your first account first.
To do this, go to Settings and privacy > Account > Email (or Phone number) on your first account and delete the email or phone. Then go to your second account and add that same email or phone during setup. You can always add a different email to your first account later. Keep in mind that if you forget your password on either account, you'll need access to whichever email or phone is currently attached to it — so don't remove your only recovery method.
Creating a second account on a different device
If you want to use a second Instagram account on a different phone, tablet, or computer, you don't need to do anything special. Just open Instagram on the new device, tap Create new account, and enter the same username and email or phone number you used when you created the account on your first device. Instagram will recognize it as an existing account and log you in.
You can also log into the same account on multiple devices at once. Instagram doesn't limit how many devices can be signed into one account — only how many accounts you can store on a single device (five maximum).
Removing or switching accounts on your device
If you no longer want to see an account in your device's account list, tap your profile icon, hold down on the account name you want to remove, and select Remove. This doesn't delete the account — it just removes it from your device's quick-switch list. You can always log back in later using the email or phone number and password.
To fully delete an Instagram account (not just remove it from your device), you'll need to go to the account's settings on Instagram's website or app and choose the permanent deletion option. That's a separate process and is irreversible after 30 days.
Keeping accounts separate: what to know
When you have multiple accounts on one device, remember that some actions affect the device itself, not just the account. For example, if you clear your browser cache or storage on your phone, you may be logged out of all accounts. If you change your device's language or timezone settings, that change applies to all accounts on that device.
Also, Instagram's rules about spam, harassment, and authentic identity apply to each account separately. If one account violates Instagram's terms, that account can be suspended or removed — but your other accounts won't be affected unless they're also breaking the rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a second account without a phone number or email?
No. Instagram requires either an email address or phone number to create any account. You can't use the same one on two accounts simultaneously, so you'll need a second email or phone number for your second account.
Will my followers on Account 1 see that I have Account 2?
No. Your accounts are separate. Your followers on Account 1 won't know about Account 2 unless you tell them or they find it by searching. The two accounts don't automatically link or show up in each other's profiles.
Can I use the same password for both accounts?
Yes, you can use the same password for multiple accounts if you want to. However, it's safer to use different passwords for each account in case one gets hacked.
What if I forget the password to my second account?
Go to Instagram's login screen, tap Forgot password?, and enter the email address or phone number attached to that account. Instagram will send you a reset link or code. If you no longer have access to that email or phone, you can use your username instead, though recovery will be slower.
Can I have two accounts with the same username?
No. Usernames must be unique across all of Instagram. If you want a second account, you'll need a different username.