Yes, you can change your Instagram email in your account settings
Instagram lets you change the email address tied to your account whenever you need to. You do this through your account settings on the app or website — it takes about two minutes and doesn't require you to log out or create a new account. The email you use is how Instagram sends you password reset links, security alerts, and notifications, so keeping it current matters if you ever need to recover your account.
The process is the same whether you use Instagram on your phone, tablet, or computer. You'll need to know your current password, and Instagram will send a confirmation link to your new email address before the change goes live.
Key Takeaways
- You change your email through Settings > Account > Email on the Instagram app, or through your profile menu on the website.
- Instagram will send a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within a set time for the change to complete.
- You need your current Instagram password to make this change, even if you're already logged in.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, you can use your username or phone number to recover your account instead.
How to change your email on the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Settings and privacy. Tap Account, then Email.
Type your new email address in the field. Instagram will ask you to enter your password to confirm the change — this is a security step that happens even if you're already logged in. After you enter your password, tap Next. Instagram will send a confirmation email to your new address. Open that email and click the confirmation link. Once you click it, your email address is updated.
The confirmation link usually works for 24 hours. If it expires, go back to Settings > Account > Email and request a new confirmation email.
How to change your email on Instagram.com
Go to Instagram.com and log in if you're not already. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings. On the left side, click Account, then click Email.
Type your new email address and your password, then click Change email. Instagram sends a confirmation link to your new email. Click that link to finish. Like the app, you have about 24 hours to confirm before the link expires.
What happens if you can't access your old email
If you've lost access to the email address currently on your account, you can't use the standard email-change process because Instagram won't be able to send you the confirmation link. Instead, use Instagram's account recovery options.
Go to the Instagram login page and tap Need more help logging in? (on the app) or Forgot password? (on the website). Instagram will ask you to enter your username. From there, you can choose to receive a password reset link via the phone number or username associated with your account, rather than your email. Once you reset your password, log back in and change your email to one you can access.
If you don't remember your username or phone number either, you can report the account to Instagram and describe the situation. Instagram's support team can help you regain access, though this process takes longer.
Common mistakes to avoid when changing your email
The most common error is typing your new email address wrong. Double-check it before you tap or click the confirmation button — Instagram won't catch typos, and you'll end up confirming a misspelled address. If this happens, go back to Settings > Account > Email and request a new confirmation email to the correct address.
Another mistake is waiting too long to click the confirmation link. The link expires after about 24 hours, so check your email (including spam and promotions folders) right away. If the link has expired, return to your email settings and request a new one.
Don't forget your password. You'll need it to confirm the email change, so if you're not sure, reset it before you try to change your email. This prevents you from getting stuck halfway through the process.
What to do if the confirmation email doesn't arrive
Check your spam, promotions, and other email folders first — confirmation emails sometimes land there by mistake. Search for "instagram" or "confirm" to find it faster.
If you've checked everywhere and the email still hasn't arrived, go back to Instagram Settings > Account > Email and tap Resend confirmation email (or Change email on the website). Wait a few minutes and check again. If it still doesn't show up, the email address you entered might be incorrect, or there might be a temporary issue with Instagram's email system. Try the process again with a different email address, or wait an hour and try the same address again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to change my email if I get a new one?
No, you don't have to. Your Instagram account will work fine with an old email address. However, if you no longer have access to that email, you won't be able to reset your password if you forget it, so updating it is a good idea for account security.
Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?
No. Instagram requires each account to have a unique email address. If you try to use an email that's already tied to another account, Instagram will reject it. You'll need a different email for each account you own.
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
Once you click the confirmation link in the email Instagram sends you, the change is when ready. Your new email is active right away. If you don't click the confirmation link, the old email stays on your account.
What if I change my email but then want to change it back?
You can change it back anytime using the same process. Go to Settings > Account > Email, enter your old email address, and confirm it. There's no limit to how many times you can change your email.
Will changing my email affect my followers or posts?
No. Changing your email doesn't change anything about your account visible to other people. Your username, profile picture, followers, and all your posts stay exactly the same. Only the email address Instagram uses to contact you changes.