The basic steps to add another Instagram account
To add a second Instagram account to the app you already have, open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) and scroll down to find "Accounts." Tap "Add account," enter the username and password for the account you want to add, and tap "Log in." Instagram will now show both accounts in your profile menu, and you can switch between them by tapping the account name at the top of your profile screen.
On a computer, go to Instagram.com, click your profile icon in the top right, and select "Switch accounts" from the dropdown menu. Click "Log into another account," enter the credentials for the second account, and click "Log in." You can then switch between accounts using the same profile menu.
Both methods keep you logged into multiple accounts at once on the same device. You do not have to log out of one account to use the other — Instagram stores the login information locally on your phone or computer.
Key Takeaways
- On your phone, tap your profile icon, then the menu, then "Accounts," then "Add account" to log into a second Instagram account without logging out of the first.
- On a computer, click your profile icon, select "Switch accounts," then "Log into another account" to add a second login.
- Once you add a second account, you can switch between them instantly using the account name at the top of your profile.
- Instagram stores login information for multiple accounts on the same device, so you stay logged in to all of them until you manually log out.
- You can add up to five accounts per device using this method.
What happens when you add an account
When you add a second account, Instagram saves the login credentials on your device. This means both accounts remain active and logged in until you manually log out of one. You can switch between them instantly without re-entering your password each time.
The accounts are separate — your followers, posts, messages, and settings for one account do not affect the other. If you follow someone on Account A, they do not automatically appear in Account B's feed. Each account has its own notifications, saved posts, and story history.
Adding accounts on Android phones
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines to open the menu, then scroll down and tap "Accounts." You will see a list of any accounts already logged in on this device. Tap "Add account" at the bottom of the list.
Enter the username or email address and password for the account you want to add, then tap "Log in." If you have two-factor authentication turned on for that account, Instagram will ask you to enter a code from your authenticator app or text message. Once you enter the code, the account is added and you can switch to it anytime from your profile menu.
Adding accounts on iPhones
Tap your profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines. Scroll down to "Accounts" and tap it. You will see any accounts already logged in. Tap "Add account" and enter the username or email and password for the second account.
If the account uses two-factor authentication, you will need to provide the code. Once you log in, the account appears in your accounts list and you can switch to it by tapping the account name at the top of your profile screen.
Adding accounts on a web browser
Go to Instagram.com in your browser and log in if you are not already. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Switch accounts" from the dropdown menu. Click "Log into another account."
Enter the username or email and password for the second account and click "Log in." If two-factor authentication is on, enter the code when prompted. You can now switch between accounts by clicking your profile icon and selecting the account name from the dropdown.
Limits on how many accounts you can add
Instagram allows you to add up to five accounts per device. If you try to add a sixth, the app will show an error message and prevent you from logging in. This limit applies whether you are using a phone, tablet, or computer.
If you need to add more than five accounts, you can log out of one account and log in to a different one. The login information for the logged-out account is erased from that device, freeing up a slot for a new account.
How to switch between accounts
On your phone, tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. At the top of your profile screen, you will see the name of the account you are currently using. Tap that name to see a dropdown list of all accounts logged in on your device. Tap the account you want to switch to, and Instagram will load that account's profile, feed, and messages.
On a computer, click your profile icon in the top right and select "Switch accounts" from the dropdown menu. Click the account name you want to use. Instagram will refresh and show that account's profile and feed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add an account I do not own?
No. You can only add accounts using login credentials you have access to. If you try to add someone else's account without their password, Instagram will reject the login. If you manage an account for someone else, they should give you the password so you can log in with their credentials.
What if I forget the password for the second account?
Go to Instagram.com, click "Forgot password?" on the login screen, and enter the username or email for that account. Instagram will send a password reset link to the email address on file. Once you reset the password, you can log back in on your device using the new password.
Does adding an account on my phone add it to my computer too?
No. Each device stores its own list of logged-in accounts. If you add an account on your iPhone, it does not automatically appear on your Android phone or computer. You have to add it separately on each device.
Can I remove an account without logging out completely?
Yes. Tap your profile icon, then the menu, then "Accounts." Find the account you want to remove, tap it, and select "Log out." That account is removed from your device, but you stay logged into your other accounts.
What if Instagram says I have too many accounts on this device?
You have reached the five-account limit. Log out of one account by tapping your profile icon, the menu, "Accounts," tapping the account name, and selecting "Log out." This removes that account from the device and frees up a slot for a new one.