You can change your Instagram email in Settings in about two minutes

Open Instagram on your phone or go to Instagram.com on a computer. Tap or click your profile icon in the bottom right corner, then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines). Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then Account center. Tap Personal information, then Account ownership and control, then Accounts. Select the account you want to change. Tap Email address and enter your new email. Instagram will send a confirmation link to both your old and new email addresses — you must click the link in both emails to complete the change.

If you're on a computer, the path is the same: click your profile picture, click the menu icon, scroll to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Account ownership and control, then Accounts. Select your account, click Email address, enter the new one, and confirm both emails.

Key Takeaways

  • You need access to both your old and new email addresses to complete the change, because Instagram sends confirmation links to each one.
  • The change takes place in Settings and privacy, under Account center, not in your profile bio or username settings.
  • If you no longer have access to your old email, you can use your phone number or a backup email to verify your identity instead.
  • The new email becomes active immediately after you confirm both links, and Instagram will use it for password resets and security alerts going forward.

Why you might need to change your Instagram email

You may want to change your email because you no longer use the old one, you're switching email providers, or you want to use a different email for security reasons. Some people change their email when they create a new account for a business or brand separate from their personal one.

Changing your email does not affect your username, followers, posts, or any other part of your account — it only updates the contact information Instagram uses to reach you and to verify your identity if you forget your password.

What to do if you can't access your old email anymore

If the email address on your account no longer works or you don't have access to it, you can still change it. When you reach the email change screen, Instagram will offer you the option to verify your identity using your phone number instead. You'll receive a text message with a code to confirm the change.

If you don't have access to your phone number either, or if Instagram won't send you a code, you can add a backup email address to your account first. Go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Email addresses, and add a second email. Once that's confirmed, you can use it to change your primary email.

How to add a backup email to your account

A backup email is a second email address linked to your account that you can use if you forget your password or need to verify your identity. To add one, go to Settings and privacy, then Account center, then Personal information, then Email addresses. Tap or click Add email address and enter the new one. Instagram will send a confirmation link to that email — click it to finish.

You can have up to two email addresses on your account at once. Your primary email is the one Instagram uses to send you notifications and security alerts. Your backup email sits in the background and becomes useful if you lose access to your primary one.

Changing your email on the Instagram app versus the website

The steps are identical whether you use the Instagram app on your phone or the website on a computer. The menu structure is the same, and you'll end up in the same settings screen either way. Some people find it easier to use a computer because the screen is larger, but there's no functional difference.

One small note: if you're using the Instagram app, make sure you're on the latest version. Older versions sometimes have slightly different menu layouts. You can update the app through your phone's app store.

What happens after you confirm the email change

Once you click the confirmation links in both emails, your new email address becomes your primary contact email immediately. Instagram will start sending password reset links, security alerts, and other account notifications to the new address. Your old email will no longer receive Instagram messages.

If you added a backup email before changing your primary one, that backup email stays on your account. You can remove it anytime by going back to Email addresses and deleting it, or you can keep it as a safety net in case you lose access to your new primary email.

Troubleshooting: confirmation emails not arriving

If you don't see the confirmation email from Instagram in either your inbox or spam folder within a few minutes, try these steps. First, check that you typed the new email address correctly — a single typo will send the confirmation to the wrong place. Second, check your spam or junk folder, because some email providers filter Instagram messages there. Third, wait a few more minutes; sometimes the email takes longer to arrive.

If the email still doesn't show up after 10 minutes, go back to the email change screen and request a new confirmation link. Instagram will send another one. If you're still not receiving it, the email address you entered may not exist or may be blocked by your email provider. Try a different email address, or contact Instagram's support through the app by going to Settings and privacy, then Help, then Report a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my email log me out of Instagram?

No. Changing your email does not log you out or affect your login. You'll stay signed in on all your devices, and your password remains the same. The email change only updates the contact information Instagram has on file.

Can I change my email to one that's already used on another Instagram account?

No. Each email address can only be linked to one Instagram account. If you try to use an email that's already on another account, Instagram will tell you the email is already in use and won't let you proceed. You'll need to use a different email address.

Do I need to change my password when I change my email?

No. Your password and email are separate. Changing one doesn't affect the other. However, if you're changing your email because you think your account has been compromised, it's a good idea to change your password too while you're in Settings.

What if I change my mind after confirming the new email?

You can change it back anytime by following the same steps and entering your old email address. Instagram will send confirmation links to both addresses again, and you'll need to click both to complete the change back.

Does Instagram notify anyone when I change my email?

No. Changing your email is a private account change. Your followers won't see it, and Instagram won't post it to your activity or send notifications to anyone else. Only you will know the change happened.