How to Change Your Instagram Password (On Any Device)

Changing your Instagram password is one of the most common account maintenance tasks — whether you've forgotten it, suspect unauthorized access, or just want to update an old one. The process is straightforward, but it varies depending on whether you're logged in, which device you're using, and whether you've connected a third-party login like Facebook or Google.

Why You Might Need to Change Your Instagram Password

There are a few common situations that bring people to this step:

• You received a suspicious login notification
• You're sharing a device and want to lock others out
• You haven't changed it in a long time and want better security hygiene
• You forgot your current password and need to reset it
• You recently changed your email or phone number and want to refresh credentials

Each of these scenarios follows a slightly different path through Instagram's settings — particularly the forgotten password flow versus the standard change flow.

How to Change Your Instagram Password When You're Already Logged In

If you know your current password and are actively logged into the app, this is the most direct route.

On Mobile (iOS or Android)

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile tab (bottom right)
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right
3. Tap Settings and privacy
4. Select Accounts Centre (Meta's unified account hub)
5. Tap Password and security
6. Under Change password, select your Instagram account
7. Enter your current password, then enter and confirm your new password
8. Tap Change password to save

On Desktop (Browser)

1. Go to instagram.com and log in
2. Click your profile icon in the top right
3. Go to Settings
4. Click Accounts Centre → Password and security
5. Select Change password and choose your account
6. Follow the same steps as mobile

🔒 Instagram requires your new password to be at least 6 characters, but security best practices recommend using a longer mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.

How to Reset Your Instagram Password If You're Logged Out

If you've forgotten your password or can't get in, you'll use Instagram's account recovery flow.

From the Login Screen

1. On the login screen, tap Forgot password? (iOS/Android) or Forgot password? link on desktop
2. Enter your email address, phone number, or username
3. Instagram will send a reset link or code to your email or phone
4. Open the message, tap or click the link, and follow the prompts to set a new password
5. Log in with your new credentials

Important: The reset link expires after a short window (typically a few minutes), so check your inbox promptly.

If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder and confirm you're using the address associated with the account. Phone-based recovery through SMS is often faster if your number is current.

Accounts Linked to Facebook or Google 🔗

If you originally signed up for Instagram using Facebook or Google, Instagram may not have a standalone password on file. In this case:

• You log in via the "Continue with Facebook" or "Continue with Google" option
• To set a standalone Instagram password, go to Password and security in Accounts Centre and select Change password — Instagram will allow you to create one even if none exists yet
• Alternatively, changing your Facebook or Google password will affect how you access Instagram through those methods

This distinction matters because some users assume their Instagram password and Facebook password are the same — they're not necessarily, unless you've never set one separately.

Variables That Affect Your Experience

Not everyone follows the exact same steps, and a few factors will shape how this goes for you:

Meta has been gradually migrating Instagram settings into the Accounts Centre dashboard, which consolidates password management across Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. Depending on when your account was created and whether you've updated the app recently, the menu path may look slightly different — but the underlying options remain the same.

If You Can't Access Your Recovery Email or Phone

This is where things become more involved. Instagram offers an identity verification flow for accounts where standard recovery options aren't available. This typically involves:

• Confirming details about the account (linked email or username)
• Providing a video selfie to verify identity against stored profile photos
• Submitting a support request through the app

This process can take time and isn't guaranteed for all account types, particularly newer accounts with limited activity history.

Good Password Habits for Instagram Specifically

Since Instagram accounts are frequent targets of phishing and credential stuffing attacks, a few general practices are worth keeping in mind:

• Use a unique password — don't reuse one from another service
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in Password and security → Two-factor authentication
• Check login activity regularly under Password and security → Where you're logged in
• Consider using a password manager to generate and store a strong password you don't have to memorize

Whether the standard change flow or the recovery path applies to your situation depends on what access you currently have — and that's the piece only you can assess from where you're sitting.