Change your password from Instagram settings on any device

Open Instagram and go to your profile by tapping the person icon at the bottom right (on mobile) or clicking your profile picture at the top right (on desktop). Tap or click the three horizontal lines (the menu icon), then select Settings and privacy. Choose Security, then tap or click Password. Enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it. Instagram will show you a confirmation message when the change is complete.

The new password takes effect immediately across all your devices and apps. If you use Instagram on multiple phones, tablets, or computers, you'll stay logged in on those devices — you don't need to sign back in everywhere. However, if you've given your password to third-party apps (like scheduling tools or analytics platforms), those apps will stop working until you update the password in their settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password from Settings and privacy > Security > Password on any device where you're logged in.
  • Your new password takes effect right away, but you stay logged in on all your devices — you won't be forced to sign back in.
  • If third-party apps have your old password, they will lose access and you'll need to reconnect them with your new password.
  • If you've forgotten your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen instead of the settings menu.
  • Change your password if you've shared it with someone, used it on another site, or suspect someone else has accessed your account.

What to do if you've forgotten your current password

If you can't remember your password but you're already logged in, you can still change it using the steps above — Instagram only asks for your current password as a security check, but the system doesn't require it if you're already signed in on some devices.

If you're locked out and can't log in, go to the Instagram login page and tap or click Forgot password? Enter your username, email address, or phone number. Instagram will send you a link to reset your password via email or SMS. Click the link, create a new password, and log back in. This process usually takes a few minutes, though the email can sometimes take up to an hour to arrive.

Why you should change your password regularly

Changing your password periodically reduces the window of time that a leaked or guessed password can be used against you. If you've reused the same password on multiple websites and one of those sites gets hacked, attackers will try that password on your Instagram account. A strong, unique password that you change every few months makes it much harder for someone to maintain access if they somehow obtain it.

You should change your password immediately if you've shared it with someone who no longer has your trust, if you've typed it on a public or shared computer, or if you notice unusual activity on your account — like posts you didn't make, followers you don't recognize, or login notifications from places you weren't. Instagram will show you a list of active sessions under Settings and privacy > Security > Where you're logged in, so you can see every device currently signed into your account.

Creating a password that's hard to guess

A strong Instagram password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid passwords based on your name, username, birthday, or other information someone could find on your profile or social media. Don't use common words or simple patterns like "123456" or "qwerty".

The easiest way to create and remember a strong password is to use a password manager — software like Bitwarden, 1Password, or Dashlane generates random passwords and stores them encrypted so you only need to remember one master password. If you don't use a password manager, write your password down and store it somewhere physical and secure, like a locked drawer at home. Never email it to yourself, text it, or store it in an unencrypted note on your phone.

Disconnecting third-party apps after you change your password

Many Instagram scheduling tools, analytics apps, and cross-posting services ask for your password or request permission to access your account. When you change your Instagram password, these apps lose their connection because Instagram invalidates the old credentials. You'll need to reconnect them by going to Settings and privacy > Apps and websites (on mobile) or Settings > Apps and websites (on desktop).

Look for any apps you no longer use and tap or click Remove next to them. For apps you still want to use, you may see a notification that they need to be reconnected — follow the app's instructions to sign in again with your new password. This is actually a good security practice: it forces you to review which apps have access to your account and remove any you've forgotten about.

What happens when you change your password on a shared device

If you change your Instagram password on a phone or computer that someone else uses, they will stay logged in to Instagram on that device until they manually sign out or until Instagram automatically logs them out (which can take weeks). Changing your password does not immediately sign out other users on shared devices — it only prevents new logins with the old password.

If you want to force someone out of your account on a shared device, go to Settings and privacy > Security > Where you're logged in and tap or click the three dots next to the device you want to remove. Select Log out. This will sign out that session immediately, and the person using that device will need your new password to log back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my password log me out of Instagram on my phone?

No. Changing your password keeps you logged in on all your devices. You only get logged out if you manually sign out, if you use the "Log out" option in Settings, or if Instagram detects suspicious activity on your account.

Can I change my password if I don't remember my username?

If you're already logged in, you can change your password without knowing your username. If you're locked out, use the "Forgot password?" link and enter your email address or phone number instead of your username.

How often should I change my Instagram password?

Change it whenever you suspect someone has accessed your account, whenever you've shared it with someone, or whenever you've used it on another website that got hacked. Beyond those situations, changing it every three to six months is a reasonable practice, though it's not required.

What if I change my password and still can't log in?

Wait a few minutes — Instagram sometimes takes time to sync the change across its servers. If you still can't log in after 15 minutes, try resetting your password again using the "Forgot password?" link. If that doesn't work, contact Instagram through the app's Help Center.