The steps to change your Instagram account type
To switch from a business account to a personal account on Instagram, open the app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, scroll down, and select Settings and privacy. Tap Account type and tools, then Account type. You will see the option to switch to a personal account—tap it and confirm your choice.
Instagram will ask you to confirm that you want to switch. Once you do, the change takes effect when ready. Your posts, followers, and messages stay with you, but your business features disappear right away. You will no longer see Insights, the ability to add contact buttons, or access to branded content tools.
The process is the same whether you are using iPhone or Android. If you cannot find these options, make sure you are running the latest version of the Instagram app—older versions may not display the account type settings in the same place.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings and privacy, then Account type and tools, then Account type to find the switch option.
- Switching to personal removes Insights, contact buttons, and branded content tools when ready.
- Your posts, followers, and direct messages do not disappear when you switch account types.
- You can switch back to a business account at any time using the same menu path.
What happens to your posts and followers when you switch
Your entire post history stays on your account. Nothing is deleted, hidden, or made private just because you change from business to personal. The same applies to your follower list—everyone who followed your business account continues to follow your personal account.
Direct messages also remain. Any conversations you had with customers, collaborators, or followers stay in your inbox and are still readable. You will not lose any of your message history or connections.
What business features you lose when ready
Insights is the first thing to go. On a business account, you can see how many people viewed each post, when your followers are most active, and which posts drove the most engagement. Personal accounts do not have this data—you will only see the like and comment counts that appear publicly on each post.
You also lose the ability to add contact buttons to your profile. Business accounts let you add an email address, phone number, or a link to book an appointment directly on your profile. Personal accounts do not have this feature.
Branded content tools disappear as well. If you work with brands or sponsors, you will no longer be able to tag them in posts or use the branded content label that shows followers a partnership exists. You can still mention brands in captions, but you lose the official partnership marking.
When to switch back to a business account
If you realize you need Insights or contact buttons later, you can switch back to a business account. The process is identical—go to Settings and privacy, Account type and tools, Account type, and select business account. Instagram will ask you to choose a category (like "Creator" or "Business") and you will be back to the full feature set.
There is no limit to how many times you can switch. Some people switch back and forth depending on what they are doing with their account at any given time. If you switch back, your old Insights data does not return—Instagram only keeps Insights data while your account is actively set to business type.
Why someone might switch to personal
The most common reason is privacy. Business accounts are more visible to Instagram's algorithm and appear in more places across the platform. A personal account is quieter and gives you more control over who sees your posts.
Some people switch because they no longer use their account for business purposes and do not want the extra features cluttering their profile. Others switch because they want to avoid the appearance of being a brand or business when they are posting personal content.
If you were using your business account primarily for personal posts and rarely checked Insights, switching to personal removes features you were not using anyway and simplifies your profile.
Differences between personal and business accounts at a glance
| Feature | Personal Account | Business Account |
|---|---|---|
| View Insights and analytics | No | Yes |
| Add contact buttons to profile | No | Yes |
| Use branded content tools | No | Yes |
| Schedule posts in advance | No | Yes |
| Keep posts, followers, and messages | Yes | Yes |
| Post stories and reels | Yes | Yes |
Troubleshooting if you cannot find the account type option
If the account type menu does not appear, the most likely cause is an outdated app. Open your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), search for Instagram, and install any available updates. Close the app completely and reopen it after updating.
If you still cannot find the option after updating, try logging out and logging back in. Sometimes the menu does not refresh properly until you restart your session. Go to Settings and privacy, scroll to the bottom, and tap Log out. Then log back in with your username and password.
If you are still stuck, your account may have restrictions placed on it by Instagram. This is rare but can happen if your account has been flagged for violating community guidelines. In that case, contact Instagram's support through the app by going to Settings and privacy, Help, and Report a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch back to a business account after switching to personal?
Yes. Use the same menu path—Settings and privacy, Account type and tools, Account type—and select business account. You will choose a category and be back to the full business feature set. There is no waiting period or limit to how many times you can switch.
Will my followers see that I switched account types?
No. Your followers will not receive a notification or see any announcement that you switched. Your profile will straightforward no longer show the business label or contact buttons, but everything else looks the same to them.
Do I lose my Insights data when I switch to personal?
Yes. Instagram does not save Insights data for personal accounts. If you switch back to a business account later, your historical Insights will be gone. Only data collected while your account is actively set to business type is kept.
What if I have a creator account instead of a business account?
Creator accounts work the same way. Go to Settings and privacy, Account type and tools, Account type, and you will see the option to switch to personal. Creator accounts have similar features to business accounts, including Insights and branded content tools, so switching to personal removes those features as well.
Can I switch to personal if I have a linked Facebook business page?
Yes, you can switch to personal even if your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook business page. However, once you switch, you will no longer be able to use Instagram's business tools like scheduling or cross-posting to Facebook. You can link the account again if you switch back to business later.