The fastest way to set up Instagram
You can create a new Instagram account in under five minutes using either the mobile app or a web browser. The process is the same either way: download Instagram (or go to instagram.com), tap or click "Create new account," enter an email address or phone number, set a password, add a username, and confirm your identity through a code sent to your email or phone.
Instagram will ask for your name, a profile photo, and a bio before you can start following people or posting. None of these are required to finish setup, but adding them makes your account look active and helps people find you. You can change all of these details later.
Key Takeaways
- You need either an email address or phone number, a password, and a username to create an account.
- Instagram sends a confirmation code to your email or phone — you must enter it to finish setup.
- Your username is public and permanent; choose one you are comfortable with because changing it later affects how people find you.
- You can add a profile photo and bio after account creation, or skip them and add them later.
- If you already have a Facebook account, you can use it to sign up faster without entering an email address separately.
What information you need before you start
Have an email address or phone number ready. Instagram accepts either one. If you use an email, make sure you can access it — Instagram will send a confirmation code there. If you use a phone number, the code arrives as a text message. Either way, you need that code to finish creating your account.
Choose a password that is at least six characters long. Instagram does not have a public list of password rules, but longer passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols are harder to guess. Write it down somewhere safe if you think you might forget it.
Think about your username before you start. This is the name people see when they visit your profile and the name you use to log in. Usernames can be 1 to 30 characters, can include letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but cannot include spaces or special characters like @ or #. Once you create your account, you can change your username, but doing so may confuse people who followed you under the old name.
Step-by-step: creating your account on a phone
Open the Instagram app or go to instagram.com in your phone's web browser. If you are using the app, tap "Create new account." If you are on the website, look for the link that says "Create new account" or "Sign up" near the login form.
Enter your email address or phone number in the field that appears. Instagram will send a six-digit code to that address or number. Check your email inbox or text messages, find the code, and enter it in the app or browser. If you do not see the code within a few minutes, check your spam folder or ask Instagram to send it again.
Type in your full name (this is different from your username and can include spaces). Then create your username — this is what people will see on your profile. Instagram will tell you if the username is already taken; if it is, try adding a number or underscore. Create a strong password and tap "Next."
Instagram asks if you want to add a profile photo and bio. You can skip both and add them later, or upload a photo from your phone's camera roll and write a short description of yourself. Tap "Next" when you are done. Your account is now created.
Step-by-step: creating your account on a computer
Go to instagram.com in your web browser. You will see the login screen. Look for a link that says "Create new account" or "Sign up" — it is usually below the login button or in smaller text. Click it.
Enter your email address or phone number. Instagram sends a confirmation code to that address or number. Open your email or check your text messages, copy the code, and paste it into the field on Instagram's website. If the code does not arrive, check your spam folder or click "Didn't receive a code?" to request a new one.
Type your full name, then choose your username. Instagram tells you immediately if the name is taken. Create a password and click "Next." You are then asked to add a profile photo and bio, which you can skip or fill in. Click "Sign up" or "Next" to finish.
Using your Facebook account to sign up faster
If you already have a Facebook account, you can use it to create an Instagram account without typing an email address. On the Instagram login screen (either on the app or website), look for a button that says "Log in with Facebook" or "Continue with Facebook." Tap or click it.
You will be taken to Facebook to confirm that Instagram can access your account. Click "Continue" or "Confirm." Instagram then asks you to choose a username and confirm your password. You still need to set a username and password for Instagram even though you are using Facebook to sign up — these are separate from your Facebook login.
This method is faster because Instagram already has your email address and name from Facebook, so you skip those steps. However, linking your accounts means Instagram and Facebook can share some information about you. You can unlink them later in your Instagram settings if you change your mind.
What to do after your account is created
Your account is ready to use immediately, but you may want to add more information to your profile. Go to your profile (tap the person icon at the bottom right on the app, or click your profile picture on the website), then tap or click "Edit profile." You can add a profile photo, write a longer bio, add a website link, and choose whether your account is public or private.
A public account means anyone can see your posts and follow you without your permission. A private account means people must request to follow you, and only approved followers can see your posts. You can change this setting anytime in your privacy settings.
Start following people and accounts you are interested in. Search for friends, family, or topics you care about using the search icon (magnifying glass). When you follow someone, their posts appear in your feed. You can also join communities by following hashtags — tap the hashtag icon and search for topics like #photography or #cooking.
Troubleshooting common problems
If Instagram says your username is taken, try adding numbers or underscores to make it unique. For example, if "sarah_photography" is taken, try "sarah_photography2024" or "sarah.photography." You can change your username later, so do not spend too much time on this step.
If you do not receive the confirmation code, check your spam or junk folder — sometimes email providers filter Instagram's messages. If it is not there, go back to the signup screen and click "Didn't receive a code?" or "Resend code." Instagram will send a new one. If you are using a phone number, make sure you entered it correctly, including the country code if you are outside the United States.
If you see an error message saying the email or phone number is already in use, that address is connected to another Instagram account. If it is your old account and you forgot the password, use Instagram's "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it. If the account belongs to someone else, use a different email address or phone number to create your new account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my username after I create my account?
Yes. Go to your profile, tap "Edit profile," and change the username field. You can change it as often as you want, but changing it frequently may confuse people who follow you. Your old username becomes available for someone else to use once you change it.
Do I need a profile photo to use Instagram?
No. You can create an account and start using it without a profile photo. However, accounts with profile photos get more followers and engagement because people are more likely to follow accounts that look complete and active.
What is the difference between my name and my username?
Your name is what appears at the top of your profile and in search results — it can include spaces and is not unique. Your username is what people use to find you and tag you in posts — it must be unique and cannot include spaces. You can change both anytime.
Can I create multiple accounts with the same email address?
No. Each Instagram account needs its own email address or phone number. If you want to manage multiple accounts, create each one with a different email address, then use Instagram's "Switch accounts" feature to move between them quickly.
Is my new account private by default?
No. New accounts are public, which means anyone can see your posts and follow you without permission. If you want your account to be private, go to Settings, tap "Privacy," and toggle "Private account" on.