Instagram's Love theme is a limited-time visual option that turns your app interface pink and red
Instagram periodically releases themed versions of its app interface for holidays and special occasions. The Love theme is one of these — it recolors buttons, backgrounds, and text to pink and red tones instead of the standard white and dark gray. On PC, you access this through Instagram's web version or the Windows app, though the steps differ slightly between the two.
The Love theme is not always available. Instagram typically activates it around Valentine's Day or during other romantic holidays, then removes it after the event ends. If you do not see the option in your settings, the theme may not be active in your region or time period.
Key Takeaways
- The Love theme appears in your account settings under "Theme" only when Instagram has activated it for your region.
- On the Instagram web version, go to Settings and Privacy, then Theme, and select Love if it appears as an option.
- The Windows app version of Instagram has the same Theme setting in the same location, but the menu path may vary slightly depending on your app version.
- If you do not see Love as a theme option, Instagram has not made it available yet or has ended the promotion in your area.
- Switching themes affects only your own view of Instagram — other users see the standard interface unless they also change their own theme.
How to access Theme settings on Instagram web
Open Instagram in your web browser and log in to your account. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left corner of the screen. Scroll down and select Settings and Privacy.
In the Settings and Privacy menu, look for the option labeled Theme. Click it. If the Love theme is currently active in your region, you will see three options: Light, Dark, and Love. Select Love. Your interface will change to the pink and red color scheme when ready.
If you only see Light and Dark as options, the Love theme is not available right now. Check back during Valentine's Day or other promotional periods when Instagram activates it.
How to change the theme in the Instagram Windows app
Open the Instagram app on your Windows PC. In the bottom left corner, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Select Settings and Privacy from the menu that appears.
Look for Theme in the Settings and Privacy section. Click it to see your available theme options. If Love is available, select it. The app will refresh and display the pink and red interface.
The Windows app sometimes lags behind the web version when Instagram rolls out new themes. If you do not see Love in the app but it appears on the web version, try logging out of the app completely, closing it, and logging back in. This forces the app to refresh its settings.
What the Love theme actually changes
The Love theme recolors the entire Instagram interface to shades of pink and red. This includes the navigation buttons at the bottom or side of the screen, the background of your feed, text highlights, and the heart icon you use to like posts. The actual content of posts — photos, captions, and comments — stays the same. Only the frame around the content changes color.
The theme is purely visual and does not affect how Instagram works. You can still post, message, search, and browse exactly as you would with the Light or Dark theme. Switching themes does not change your privacy settings, notification preferences, or any other account function.
Why the Love theme might not appear in your settings
Instagram activates themed interfaces on a schedule tied to holidays and special events. The Love theme typically appears around February 14 (Valentine's Day) and may appear during other romantic occasions. Outside these windows, the option straightforward does not exist in your settings menu.
Theme availability can also vary by region. Instagram sometimes tests new themes in certain countries before rolling them out globally, or may skip them in some areas entirely. If you live outside the United States or another major market, you may not see the Love theme even when it is active elsewhere.
If you have not updated your Instagram app or browser in several weeks, you may also be running an older version that does not support the Love theme yet. Update your Windows app through the Microsoft Store or refresh your browser to the latest version.
Switching back to your regular theme
If you want to return to the Light or Dark theme, go back to Settings and Privacy, select Theme, and choose Light or Dark. Your interface will change back when ready. You can switch between themes as many times as you want — there is no limit to how often you change.
Instagram remembers your theme choice. If you close the app or browser and come back later, it will still be set to whichever theme you selected last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my theme to Love affect what other people see when they visit my profile?
No. Theme changes are personal to your account and device. When someone else visits your profile, they see Instagram in whatever theme they have chosen for themselves. Your Love theme does not appear to them.
Can I use the Love theme on my phone if I have it on my PC?
Yes, but you have to change it separately on each device. If you set your theme to Love on your PC, your phone will still be on whatever theme you last selected there. Log into Instagram on your phone and go to Settings and Privacy, then Theme, and select Love on that device too.
What happens to the Love theme after Valentine's Day?
Instagram removes the Love theme option from the settings menu when the promotional period ends. If you have it selected when it is removed, your interface will automatically switch back to your previous theme (usually Dark or Light). You cannot keep the Love theme active after Instagram deactivates it.
Is the Love theme the same on PC and phone?
The color scheme is the same, but the layout is different because the PC and phone versions of Instagram have different screen sizes and navigation structures. The pink and red colors appear in the same places on both, but the overall look will not be identical.