How to change your age on Instagram
You can change your age on Instagram by going to your profile, opening Settings and Privacy, selecting Personal Information, and then tapping your date of birth to edit it. The steps differ slightly between the phone app and the web version, but both let you update the birth date you provided when you created your account. Instagram stores this information privately — it does not appear on your public profile — but the platform uses it to enforce age restrictions on certain features and content.
If you made a mistake when you first signed up, or your birthday is coming up and you want the correct year on file, you can change it yourself without contacting Instagram support. The change takes effect when ready.
Key Takeaways
- On the Instagram app, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select Settings and Privacy, then Personal Information, and tap your date of birth to edit it.
- On Instagram.com, click your profile picture, go to Settings, select Personal Information, and update your birth date in the same section.
- Your birth date is private and does not show on your profile, but Instagram uses it to control access to certain features like Reels and Stories.
- You can change your age as many times as you need, and the update is when ready — you do not need to wait for approval.
- If you cannot find the Personal Information section, make sure you are logged into the account you want to change and that you are using the current version of the app.
Changing your age on the Instagram mobile app
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top right of your profile screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy.
From the Settings and Privacy menu, tap Personal Information. You will see your date of birth listed there. Tap on the date of birth field to open the date picker. Select your correct birth month, day, and year, then tap Done or Confirm (the button name varies by phone type). The change saves when ready.
Changing your age on Instagram.com
Log into your Instagram account on a web browser. Click your profile picture in the top right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu. On the left side, click Personal Information.
You will see your date of birth displayed on the right side of the screen. Click on the date field to edit it. Enter your correct birth date and click Save. The change takes effect right away, and you will remain logged in.
Why Instagram asks for your age
Instagram requires a birth date to enforce age restrictions set by law in most countries. Users under 13 cannot create accounts, and Instagram uses your birth date to verify you meet that minimum. The platform also uses age information to restrict certain features — for example, some versions of Reels, Stories, and messaging features have age gates that depend on the birth date you provide.
Your birth date is not public. It does not appear anywhere on your profile, and other users cannot see it. Only you and Instagram can view this information.
What happens if you enter the wrong age
If you entered an incorrect birth date when you signed up — whether by accident or intentionally — you can correct it at any time using the steps above. There is no penalty for changing it, and Instagram does not flag or review age changes. The new date takes effect when ready and applies to all age-based features and restrictions going forward.
If you are under 13 and created an account using a false birth date, changing it to your real age will not delete your account, but it may restrict some features you were previously using. If you need to delete your account instead, you can do that through Settings and Privacy > Account Center > Accounts > [Your Account] > Deactivation or Deletion.
If you cannot find the Personal Information section
Make sure you are logged into the correct account. If you have multiple Instagram accounts, you may have opened the wrong one. Tap or click your profile picture and confirm the username at the top of the profile screen.
If you are using an older version of the Instagram app, the menu layout may be different. Update the app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) to the latest version, then try again. On web, make sure you are using a current browser like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge. Clear your browser cache if the Settings page does not load properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my age on Instagram more than once?
Yes, you can change your birth date as many times as you need. There is no limit on how often you can edit it, and Instagram does not require you to wait between changes. Each update takes effect when ready.
Will changing my age delete my account or lose my followers?
No. Changing your birth date does not affect your account, followers, posts, messages, or any other data. It only updates the private information Instagram uses to manage age-based features.
What if I forgot my birth date or do not know the exact day?
You can enter your best estimate. If you only remember the month and year, pick the first day of that month. Instagram does not verify your birth date against government records, so you can update it later if you remember the exact date.
Does Instagram tell other people when I change my age?
No. Your birth date is private, and changing it does not send notifications to your followers or friends. No one else can see this information or know that you changed it.
What if I am under 13 and want to use Instagram?
Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old. If you are under 13, you cannot legally create an account, and Instagram will restrict your access if your birth date shows you are below that age. You will need to wait until your 13th birthday to use the platform.