You can add a second Instagram account without logging out of your first one
Instagram lets you switch between multiple accounts on the same device without signing out each time. You can add up to five accounts per phone or computer. The process takes less than a minute and works the same way whether you're using the mobile app or a web browser — you just need your username and password for the new account ready before you start.
Once you've added a second account, you'll see a profile icon at the bottom of the app (on mobile) or in the top right (on desktop) that lets you tap or click to switch between them instantly. This is useful if you manage a personal account and a business account, or if you want to keep work and personal content separate.
Key Takeaways
- You can add up to five Instagram accounts to a single device and switch between them without logging out.
- On mobile, tap your profile icon, then tap the username at the top, then tap "Add account" to begin the process.
- On desktop, click your profile icon in the top right, select "Switch accounts," then click "Log into another account."
- You'll need the username and password for the new account, or you can create a new account directly from the add account screen.
- Switching between accounts is instant — just tap or click the profile icon and select which account you want to use.
Adding an account on the Instagram mobile app
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon at the bottom right of the screen. At the top of your profile, you'll see your username — tap it to open a menu. Look for the option that says "Add account" and tap it.
You'll see two choices: "Log in" or "Create new account." If you already have a second Instagram account, choose "Log in" and enter that account's username and password. If you want to create a brand new account right now, choose "Create new account" and follow Instagram's setup steps — you'll need an email address or phone number, a username, and a password.
Once you've entered your login details or finished creating the new account, Instagram will add it to your device. You'll return to your original account, but you can now switch between them anytime by tapping your profile icon and selecting the account name you want to use.
Adding an account on Instagram's website
Go to Instagram.com in your web browser and make sure you're logged into your first account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. A dropdown menu will appear — look for an option labeled "Switch accounts" or "Log into another account" and click it.
You'll be taken to a login screen. Enter the username and password for the account you want to add. If you don't have a second account yet, you can click a link to create one instead — Instagram will walk you through the setup process using an email address or phone number.
After you log in, Instagram will remember this account. The next time you visit Instagram.com, you'll see both account names in the profile menu, and you can click between them to switch without logging out of either one.
Switching between your accounts
Once you've added a second account, switching is straightforward. On the mobile app, tap your profile icon at the bottom right, then tap the username at the top of the screen. A list of all your added accounts will appear — tap the one you want to use, and Instagram will switch to that account instantly.
On the website, click your profile icon in the top right and look for your account names in the dropdown menu. Click the account you want to switch to, and you'll be logged into that account right away. Your previous account stays logged in on your device, so you can switch back just as quickly.
What happens when you add an account
Adding an account does not merge your followers, posts, or messages. Each account remains completely separate — your first account's followers won't see posts from your second account unless they follow that account too. Your direct messages, saved posts, and settings stay separate for each account as well.
Instagram stores your login information on your device, so anyone with access to your phone or computer can switch to your other accounts. If you're on a shared device or a public computer, you should remove any accounts you don't want others to access. To do this, tap your profile icon, tap the username, then swipe left on the account you want to remove (on mobile) or right-click it and select "Remove" (on desktop).
Removing an account from your device
If you want to stop seeing one of your accounts in the switcher menu, you can remove it without deleting the account itself. On mobile, tap your profile icon, then tap your username at the top. Swipe left on the account you want to remove, and a red "Remove" button will appear — tap it to confirm.
On desktop, click your profile icon in the top right, find the account you want to remove in the dropdown menu, right-click it, and select "Remove." The account will disappear from your device's switcher, but it will still exist on Instagram. You can add it back anytime by logging in again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add more than two accounts?
Yes. Instagram allows you to add up to five accounts per device. Follow the same steps for each additional account — tap or click your profile icon, select "Add account," and log in with the new account's username and password.
What if I forget the password for my second account?
Go to Instagram's login page and click "Forgot password?" Enter the username or email address for the account you can't access. Instagram will send a password reset link to that email address. Once you've reset the password, you can log in and add the account to your device again.
Will my followers see posts from both my accounts?
No. Each account is separate. Your followers on one account won't see posts from your other account unless they also follow that second account. You control who follows each account independently.
Can I add someone else's account to my device?
Technically yes, but you'll need their username and password. This is not recommended for security reasons — if you need to manage someone else's account, ask them to set up a business manager account or use Instagram's official tools for account access instead.
Do I need a different email address for each account?
No. You can use the same email address for multiple Instagram accounts. However, if you forget a password, Instagram will send the reset link to that shared email, so you'll need access to it to recover any of those accounts.