You can change your age on Instagram, but only if you haven't changed it in the past year

Instagram lets you update your birth date through your account settings. The process takes about two minutes. However, there is one significant limit: if you have already changed your age once in the past 12 months, Instagram will not let you change it again until that year has passed.

This restriction exists because Instagram uses your age to enforce rules about who can see certain content and what features are available to you. If you are under 18, for example, your account has different privacy defaults than an adult account. Changing your age frequently would make those protections unreliable.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birth date by going to Settings and Privacy, then Account, then Personal Information, then Birth Date.
  • Instagram will not allow a second age change if you have already changed it within the past 12 months.
  • If you are locked out of changing your age, you will need to wait until the 12-month window closes before trying again.
  • If your account was created with an incorrect age and you cannot change it, you may need to contact Instagram support through the in-app help center.

Step-by-step: changing your age on Instagram

Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Select Settings and Privacy, then tap Settings.

Scroll down and tap Account, then Personal Information. You will see your current birth date listed. Tap Birth Date to edit it. Enter your correct birth date using the date picker, then tap Done or Save (the button name varies by device).

Instagram will confirm the change when ready. Your new age will take effect right away, though some features tied to your age category may take a few hours to update across all your devices.

What happens if you have already changed your age recently

If you changed your age within the past 12 months, Instagram will show a message saying you cannot change it again until the 12-month period has passed. The message will tell you when you will be able to change it next.

This waiting period is firm—there is no way to bypass it through settings or by contacting support. You will have to wait until the calendar year has passed since your last change.

When Instagram might not let you change your age at all

Some accounts cannot change their age through settings, usually because the account was created a long time ago or was set up by someone else. If you tap Birth Date and see no option to edit it, or if you get an error message, your account may be locked.

In this case, you can try contacting Instagram through the in-app help center. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Help, then Report a Problem. Describe the issue and ask for help updating your birth date. Response times vary, but Instagram usually replies within a few days to a week.

Why Instagram asks for your birth date

Instagram uses your birth date to determine what content you can see and what features are available to you. Users under 13 cannot have accounts at all. Users between 13 and 17 have restricted messaging and different default privacy settings than adults.

Your age also affects what ads you see and whether certain features like Instagram Shop or certain creator tools are turned on. Changing your age will update these settings automatically, though some changes may take a few hours to roll out.

What to do if you created your account with the wrong age

If you set up your account years ago and entered an incorrect birth date, you can still change it—but only if you have not changed it in the past year. Follow the steps above to update it to your real birth date.

If you have already changed your age once recently, you will need to wait out the 12-month window. In the meantime, your account will operate under the age restrictions tied to the birth date currently on file. If that is causing problems—for example, if you are locked out of features you should have access to—contact Instagram support and explain the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age more than once a year?

No. Instagram allows one age change per 12-month period. If you have already changed it, you must wait until 12 months have passed since that change before you can update it again. The exact date when you will be able to change it again appears in the error message when you try.

Will changing my age affect my followers or posts?

No. Changing your birth date will not delete your followers, posts, or any other account data. It only changes what features and content are available to you going forward, and what privacy defaults explore to your account.

What if Instagram says I cannot change my age because my account is too old?

Some very old accounts have locked birth dates that cannot be edited through settings. Contact Instagram support through the in-app Help section and explain that you need to update your birth date. They can sometimes unlock this for you, though it may take several days.

Does changing my age on Instagram change my age on Facebook?

If your Instagram account is connected to a Facebook account, changing your age on Instagram will not automatically change it on Facebook. You will need to update your birth date separately in Facebook's settings.