Change your password from the Instagram app or website
To change your Instagram password, open the app or go to Instagram.com and sign in. Tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner (app) or top right corner (website), then select "Settings and privacy." Choose "Account center" and tap "Password." Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Instagram will show you a strength indicator — green means strong, yellow means moderate. Hit "Change password" when you're done.
The process takes about two minutes. Instagram logs you out of all other sessions after you change your password, so you'll need to sign back in on any other devices you use. This is intentional — it protects you if someone else had access to your account.
Key Takeaways
- You change your password through Settings and privacy > Account center > Password on both the app and website.
- Instagram requires your current password before letting you set a new one, so you need to remember what it is.
- After you change your password, Instagram logs you out everywhere, and you'll sign back in on each device separately.
- A strong password uses uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — Instagram shows you a strength meter as you type.
- If you've forgotten your current password, use the "Forgot password?" option instead of trying to change it.
What makes a strong Instagram password
Instagram's strength indicator gives you real-time feedback as you type. A strong password is at least 8 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! @ # $ % or &. Avoid passwords that use your name, username, or birth date — these are too easy to guess.
Don't reuse a password you've used on other accounts. If one site gets hacked, attackers will try that same password on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. A unique password for Instagram means a breach elsewhere won't put your account at risk.
Changing your password on mobile vs. desktop
The steps are nearly identical on iPhone, Android, and desktop, but the navigation looks slightly different. On the app, your profile icon is in the bottom right corner of the screen. On the website, it's in the top right. Both lead to the same Settings and privacy menu.
If you're on a phone and the text is hard to read, you can zoom in by pinching the screen. Instagram's password field will show or hide your password if you tap the eye icon next to it — use this to double-check you didn't make a typo before confirming.
What happens after you change your password
Instagram immediately logs you out of every device where you were signed in. If you use Instagram on your phone, tablet, and computer, you'll need to sign back in on all three. This happens automatically — you'll see a login screen the next time you open the app or refresh the website.
You don't lose any photos, followers, or messages. Everything stays exactly as it was. The logout is just a security measure to make sure only you can access your account going forward.
If you can't remember your current password
If you've forgotten your current password and can't complete the change password steps, don't try to guess it repeatedly. Instead, go to the Instagram login screen and tap "Forgot password?" Enter your username or email address, and Instagram will send you a link to reset your password. You can use that link to create a completely new password without needing to remember the old one.
The reset link usually arrives within a few minutes. Check your spam or junk folder if you don't see it in your inbox. Once you've reset your password through the email link, you can then follow the normal change password steps if you want to update it again.
Changing your password if your account was compromised
If you think someone else accessed your account, change your password right away using the steps above. After you change it, go back to Settings and privacy > Account center and look for "Where you're logged in" or "Active sessions." This shows every device currently signed into your account. If you see a device you don't recognize, tap it and select "Log out."
You should also check your email address and phone number in the Account center to make sure they haven't been changed. If they have, change them back immediately. Consider enabling two-factor authentication in Settings and privacy > Two-factor authentication — this adds an extra security step when you sign in from a new device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my password without knowing my current one?
No, Instagram requires your current password to change it through Settings. If you don't remember it, use the "Forgot password?" option on the login screen instead. That process sends a reset link to your email and lets you create a new password without the old one.
Will changing my password delete my photos or followers?
No. Changing your password doesn't affect your photos, followers, messages, or any other account data. It only updates your login credentials and logs you out of all devices so you can sign back in securely.
How often should I change my Instagram password?
There's no set rule, but changing it once or twice a year is reasonable. Change it sooner if you think someone else knows your password, if you used the same password on another account that was hacked, or if you shared your login with someone you no longer trust.
What if I change my password and still can't sign back in?
Make sure you're typing the new password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive, so "Password123" is different from "password123." If you're still stuck, use "Forgot password?" again to reset it. If that doesn't work, Instagram's Help Center has additional troubleshooting steps for login problems.