Change Your Email in Instagram Settings

To change your Instagram email, open the app 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 center, then Personal information, then Account ownership and control. You'll see your current email listed — tap it to edit.

Instagram will send a confirmation link to both your old email and your new email. You must click the link in the new email to complete the change. This step prevents someone from changing your email without your knowledge. The whole process usually takes a few minutes, though the confirmation emails can take up to an hour to arrive.

If you're on a computer instead of the app, go to instagram.com, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, then Personal information, and follow the same steps. The process is identical.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your email through Settings and privacy > Account center > Personal information > Account ownership and control in the Instagram app.
  • Instagram sends confirmation links to both your old and new email addresses, and you must click the link in the new email to finish the change.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you may need to verify your identity using a phone number or government ID instead.
  • The email change takes effect when ready after you confirm, but Instagram may take a few minutes to update across all your devices.

What to Do If You Can't Access Your Old Email

If your old email account no longer exists or you can't log into it, you won't be able to click the confirmation link Instagram sends there. In this case, tap Can't access this email? on the confirmation screen. Instagram will ask you to verify your identity using a phone number associated with your account or by uploading a photo of your government ID.

The phone number method is faster — Instagram texts a code to the number on file, you enter it, and the email change goes through. If you don't have access to that phone number either, you'll need to upload a clear photo of your ID (driver's license, passport, or national ID card). Instagram reviews these manually, which can take a few days.

Timing and What Happens Next

Confirmation emails usually arrive within a few minutes, but can take up to an hour. Check your spam folder if you don't see the email in your inbox — Instagram's confirmation messages sometimes get filtered there. Once you click the confirmation link in the new email, the change is complete and your account is now tied to the new address.

Your old email will no longer work to log into Instagram. If you use Instagram's password reset feature in the future, the reset link will go to your new email instead. Any notifications Instagram sends you will also go to the new address.

Changing Email on a Business or Creator Account

If you run a business account or creator account, the email change process is the same. However, if your account is connected to a Facebook Page or Facebook Business Manager, you may also need to update the email there separately. The two platforms don't automatically sync email changes.

To check if your Instagram account is linked to Facebook, go to Settings and privacy > Account center > Accounts and profiles. If you see your Facebook account listed, you can manage both from that screen. Changing your Instagram email won't change your Facebook email — you'll need to update that separately in Facebook's settings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common error is typing your new email address wrong. Double-check that you've spelled it correctly before you submit — Instagram won't let you change it again for a short period if you make a typo. If you do make a mistake, wait a few minutes and try again, or contact Instagram support through the app.

Another mistake is not checking your spam folder for the confirmation email. If you don't see it in your inbox after 10 minutes, check spam, promotions, or other email tabs. If it's not there, go back to Instagram and request a new confirmation email — there's usually a "Resend email" option on the confirmation screen.

What Happens to Your Password and Login

Changing your email does not change your password. You'll still log in with your username or phone number if you have one set up — the email is separate from those login methods. If you want to log in using your new email address, you can, but it may take a few hours for Instagram to recognize the new email as a valid login method.

If you've forgotten your password, you can still reset it using your new email once the change is complete. Go to the Instagram login screen, tap Forgot password?, enter your username, and Instagram will send a reset link to your new email address.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to change my email on Instagram?

The change is when ready once you click the confirmation link in your new email. However, the confirmation email itself can take up to an hour to arrive. In most cases, you'll see it within a few minutes. If you don't receive it after 10 minutes, check your spam folder or request Instagram resend it.

Can I change my email back to the old one right away?

Yes. Once the change is complete, you can change it back to your old email anytime by following the same steps. There's no waiting period between email changes on Instagram, though you'll need to confirm the change with a link sent to whichever email you're switching to.

Will changing my email affect my followers or posts?

No. Your followers, posts, messages, and all account content stay exactly the same. The email change only affects how you log in and where Instagram sends notifications. Your username and profile remain unchanged.

What if I share an Instagram account with someone else?

Only the account owner can change the email address. If multiple people have access to the account, only whoever is listed as the owner in Account center > Accounts and profiles can make this change. If you need to transfer ownership, that person must remove the other users first, then change the email.

Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?

No. Each Instagram account must have a unique email address. If you try to change your email to one that's already tied to another account, Instagram will reject the change and ask you to pick a different email.