You can change your birth date in Instagram settings, but only if your account is old enough

Instagram lets you change the birth date on your account through the settings menu. The process takes about two minutes. However, Instagram restricts how often you can make this change — you can only update your birth date once every 60 days. If you entered your age when you created your account, you can modify it by going to your profile, tapping the menu icon, selecting Settings and Privacy, then Account, and finally Date of Birth.

The reason for the 60-day waiting period is to prevent people from repeatedly changing their age to bypass age restrictions on content or features. Instagram uses your birth date to determine which features you can access — for example, accounts under 18 see different advertising options and cannot use certain tools. If you made a genuine mistake when you first signed up, you will need to wait out the cooldown period between changes.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birth date through Settings and Privacy > Account > Date of Birth on any Instagram account.
  • Instagram enforces a 60-day waiting period between birth date changes to prevent misuse of age-restricted features.
  • If you cannot change your birth date because of the cooldown, you will need to wait until the 60 days have passed since your last change.
  • Accounts under 18 have different feature access than adult accounts, and your birth date determines which category Instagram places you in.

Step-by-step: changing your birth date on the Instagram app

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the top right corner of your profile. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy.

From the Settings and Privacy menu, tap Account. Look for the option labeled Date of Birth and tap it. Enter your correct birth date using the calendar picker or by typing the numbers directly. Tap Save or Confirm to explore the change. Instagram will show you a confirmation message if the change went through.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your birth date yet, it means you have already made a change within the last 60 days. You will need to wait until that period expires before you can update it again.

Changing your age on Instagram's website

If you use Instagram on a computer, the process is similar. Log into your account at instagram.com. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then click Settings. On the left side, click Account, then click Date of Birth.

Enter your birth date and click Save. The same 60-day cooldown applies whether you change your age on the app or the website. If you have already made a change recently, you will see the same waiting message on both platforms.

What happens if you cannot change your birth date right now

If Instagram tells you that you cannot change your birth date, the 60-day waiting period is still active. There is no way to bypass this restriction or contact Instagram to remove it early. You will straightforward need to wait until the 60 days have passed since your last change.

If you need to change your age urgently because you entered it incorrectly when you created your account, your only option is to wait. Instagram does not offer exceptions to the 60-day rule, even for genuine mistakes. Mark your calendar 60 days from your last change so you know when you can try again.

Why Instagram restricts age changes

Instagram uses your birth date to control access to certain features and to show you age-appropriate advertising. Accounts under 13 cannot be created at all — Instagram's terms of service require users to be at least 13 years old. Accounts under 18 have restricted access to some features, like certain messaging tools and advertising categories.

The 60-day waiting period prevents people from repeatedly changing their age to circumvent these restrictions. Without the cooldown, someone could change their age back and forth to access features they are not supposed to use. The restriction also makes it harder for people to hide their real age from Instagram's systems.

If you created your account without entering a birth date

Some older Instagram accounts do not have a birth date on file at all. If your account is missing this information, you can add it for the first time without waiting. Go to Settings and Privacy > Account > Date of Birth and enter your birth date. Once you have added a birth date, the 60-day cooldown will explore to any future changes.

Adding a birth date to an account that never had one is treated differently from changing an existing birth date. You should be able to do this when ready, even if you have recently made other account changes.

What to do if you cannot access your account settings

If you cannot reach the Settings menu or the Date of Birth option, make sure you are logged into the correct account. Some accounts have restricted settings if Instagram has flagged them for unusual activity. If you see a message saying your account is locked or restricted, you may need to verify your identity first by entering a code Instagram sends to your email or phone number.

If you have forgotten your password or cannot log in at all, use the "Forgot password?" link on the Instagram login page. You will need access to the email address or phone number associated with your account to reset it. Once you have regained access, you can then change your birth date through the normal settings menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age on Instagram more than once every 60 days?

No. Instagram enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between birth date changes. There is no way to change it more frequently, and Instagram does not make exceptions. If you need to change your age again, you will have to wait until 60 days have passed since your last change.

What if I entered the wrong birth date when I created my account?

You can change it through Settings and Privacy > Account > Date of Birth, but you will need to wait 60 days between changes. If you made a mistake, correct it as soon as possible, then you will have to wait 60 days before you can change it again if needed.

Does changing my age affect my followers or posts?

No. Changing your birth date does not delete your followers, posts, or any other account data. It only changes the age Instagram uses internally to determine which features you can access and what ads you see. Your followers will not be notified of the change.

Can I change my age if my account is under 18?

Yes. You can change your birth date on any account, regardless of your current age. The same 60-day waiting period applies to all accounts. If you are under 18 and need to update your birth date, follow the same steps as any other user.

What if Instagram says I am too young to use the app?

Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old. If your account shows you are under 13, Instagram may restrict or disable certain features. You cannot change your birth date to bypass this rule — Instagram's systems are designed to catch attempts to circumvent age restrictions. If you are actually 13 or older, you can update your birth date, but you will need to wait 60 days between changes.