What you need to join Instagram
To create an Instagram account, you need a working email address or phone number, a password you can remember, and either a smartphone with the Instagram app or a web browser on any device. Instagram is free to join and use. You do not need to provide a credit card or payment method to set up a basic account.
Instagram works on iPhones, Android phones, and computers. The mobile app gives you the full experience, but you can also sign up and post from a web browser at instagram.com if you prefer. Either way, the process takes about five minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You can sign up using an email address, phone number, or Facebook account, and Instagram will ask you to create a username and password.
- After you create your account, you should add a profile picture and a short bio so other people know who you are.
- Your account is private by default on Instagram, meaning only people you approve can see your posts and follow you.
- You can change your privacy settings, username, and profile information at any time after you join.
How to sign up on your phone
Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android phone. If you do not have it yet, search for "Instagram" in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) and tap the download button. Once the app is installed, open it and tap "Create new account."
Instagram will ask you to enter either your email address or phone number. Type whichever one you want to use. Next, you will create a username — this is the name other people will see and use to find you. Instagram will suggest usernames based on your name, but you can type your own. Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces. After you choose a username, create a password that is at least six characters long and write it down somewhere safe.
Instagram will ask for your full name and birthdate. Your full name does not have to match your username — it is just for your profile. Your birthdate is required but does not have to be public. After you enter this information, Instagram will send a confirmation code to your email or phone number. Check your email or text messages, find the code, and type it into the app to confirm your account is real.
How to sign up on a computer
Go to instagram.com in any web browser. Click "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. You can sign up using your email address, phone number, or an existing Facebook account. If you use Facebook, Instagram will pull some information from that account automatically, which speeds up the process.
If you use email or phone, type your address or number, then create a username and password the same way you would on the app. Instagram will send a confirmation code to your email or phone — enter it to verify your account. After that, you can log in and start using Instagram from your computer or phone.
Setting up your profile so people can find you
After you confirm your account, Instagram will ask you to add a profile picture. You can upload a photo from your phone or computer, or skip this step for now. Your profile picture appears as a small circle next to your username everywhere on Instagram, so choose something clear that people will recognize.
Next, add a bio — a short description of who you are or what you post about. This appears on your profile page and helps people decide whether to follow you. You have 150 characters, which is about two sentences. You can add a website link here too if you have one. After you fill in your bio, your profile is ready. You can change your picture, bio, and username anytime by going to your profile and tapping "Edit profile."
Understanding privacy and who can see your posts
When you first create an Instagram account, it is set to private by default. This means only people you approve can follow you and see your posts. If someone wants to follow you, they send a request, and you decide whether to accept or decline. This is the safest setting if you are new to social media or want to control who sees what you post.
You can change your account to public anytime, which means anyone can follow you and see your posts without asking permission. Public accounts are better if you want to reach more people or build a following around a hobby or business. You can switch between private and public in your settings — go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Settings," then "Privacy," and toggle "Private account" on or off.
What to do after you create your account
Once your account is set up, you can start following other people. Search for friends, family, or accounts that interest you by tapping the search icon and typing a name or topic. When you find an account you like, tap "Follow" to see their posts in your feed. The more people you follow, the more content appears when you open Instagram.
You can also start posting right away. Tap the plus icon to upload a photo or video from your phone, add a caption, and share it with your followers. Instagram lets you edit your posts after you share them — you can change the caption or delete the post entirely. Take your time learning how the app works. There is no rush to post frequently or follow hundreds of people.
Troubleshooting common signup problems
If Instagram says your username is already taken, try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique. If you do not receive a confirmation code, check your spam or junk email folder — sometimes the code lands there by mistake. Wait a few minutes and request a new code if the first one does not arrive.
If you forget your password after you sign up, tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen and Instagram will send you a link to reset it. If you cannot access the email or phone number you used to sign up, you may need to contact Instagram's support team through the app. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select "Help," and choose "Report a problem."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Facebook account to join Instagram?
No. You can sign up with just an email address or phone number. Instagram is owned by Meta, the same company that owns Facebook, so signing up with Facebook is an option that saves time, but it is not required.
Can I change my username after I create my account?
Yes. Go to your profile, tap "Edit profile," and change your username anytime. You can change it as often as you want, but you can only change it once every 14 days if you want to keep the same username you had before.
What is the minimum age to join Instagram?
Instagram requires you to be at least 13 years old. You will need to enter your birthdate when you sign up, and Instagram uses this to enforce the age requirement. If you are under 13, you cannot create an account.
Is Instagram really free, or will I have to pay later?
Instagram is completely free to use. You can post, follow people, and message friends without paying anything. Instagram makes money from ads that appear in your feed, not from charging users.
Can I have more than one Instagram account?
Yes. You can create multiple accounts using different email addresses or phone numbers. Once you create them, you can switch between accounts by tapping your profile picture at the bottom right and selecting the account you want to use.