You can add up to five Instagram accounts on one phone and switch between them without logging out
Instagram lets you link multiple accounts to a single phone so you can jump between them instantly. You don't need separate devices or separate logins each time — once you've added the accounts, tapping your profile picture cycles through them. This works on both iPhone and Android, and the accounts stay linked until you remove them.
The process takes about two minutes per account. You'll need the username and password for each account you want to add, or you can create a new account directly in the app. Instagram stores all linked accounts locally on your phone, so if you delete the app or log out completely, you'll need to re-add them.
Key Takeaways
- You can link up to five Instagram accounts on one phone and switch between them by tapping your profile picture.
- To add an existing account, open Instagram, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, select "Accounts Center," then "Add account," and enter the username and password.
- To create a brand new account within the app, follow the same steps but choose "Create new account" instead of entering existing credentials.
- Switching accounts is instant and doesn't log you out of the others — all linked accounts stay active on your phone at the same time.
- If you uninstall Instagram or log out of all accounts, you'll need to re-add each one by entering its password again.
How to add an existing Instagram account on iPhone
Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner. Then tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Scroll down and tap "Accounts Center." On the next screen, tap "Add account."
You'll see two options: "Log in to existing account" and "Create new account." Choose "Log in to existing account" and enter the username (or email or phone number) and password for the account you want to add. Tap "Log in." Instagram will verify the account and add it to your phone. You're done — the account now appears in your profile switcher.
How to add an existing Instagram account on Android
The steps are identical to iPhone. Open Instagram, tap your profile picture at the bottom right, tap the menu icon (three lines) at the top right, scroll down to "Accounts Center," and tap "Add account."
Select "Log in to existing account," enter the username and password, and tap "Log in." The account syncs to your phone and appears in your profile switcher immediately. If you have two-factor authentication turned on for that account, Instagram will ask you to verify your identity before adding it.
How to create a new Instagram account directly in the app
If you want to make a brand new account instead of adding an existing one, follow the same steps: profile picture, menu icon, "Accounts Center," "Add account." This time, choose "Create new account."
Instagram will ask for your phone number or email, a password, and a username. Fill these in and tap "Next." You'll set up your profile picture and bio, then the new account is created and linked to your phone. You can start using it right away and switch to your other account whenever you want.
How to switch between accounts on your phone
Once you've added multiple accounts, switching is instant. Tap your profile picture at the bottom right of the app. A menu appears showing all your linked accounts with their usernames and profile pictures. Tap the account you want to use.
Instagram loads that account immediately — you stay logged in to all of them at the same time. Your feed, messages, notifications, and settings all change to that account. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want without re-entering passwords.
What happens if you remove an account or uninstall Instagram
To remove an account from your phone, tap your profile picture, then the menu icon, then "Accounts Center." Find the account you want to remove, tap it, and select "Remove account." That account is no longer linked to your phone, but it still exists on Instagram — you can add it back later by logging in again.
If you uninstall the Instagram app or log out of all accounts at once, all linked accounts are removed from your phone. When you reinstall the app or log back in, you'll need to re-add each account by entering its password. The accounts themselves are not deleted, just the local links on your phone.
Two-factor authentication and linked accounts
If any of your accounts have two-factor authentication turned on, Instagram will ask you to verify your identity when you add it to your phone. You'll receive a code via text message or through an authentication app, depending on how you set up two-factor authentication. Enter the code to complete the login.
Once the account is added, you won't need to enter the two-factor code every time you switch to that account — only when you first add it. If you lose access to your phone number or authentication app, you can use a backup code to log in instead. Keep those backup codes somewhere safe if you use two-factor authentication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add accounts from other people to my phone?
Technically yes, but you'll need their password to log in. This is not recommended because you'll have full access to their account, messages, and settings. If you're managing someone else's account professionally, Instagram Business Accounts have a "Team Inbox" feature that lets you share access without sharing the password.
What if I forget the password for one of my accounts?
Go to the Instagram login screen, tap "Forgot password?", enter the username or email, and Instagram sends a reset link. Once you reset the password, you can log back into that account on your phone. The other linked accounts are not affected.
Do all my accounts see the same feed and messages?
No. Each account has its own feed, messages, followers, and settings. When you switch accounts, everything changes to that account's data. Your private messages, saved posts, and follow list are separate for each account.
Can I add more than five accounts?
No, Instagram limits you to five linked accounts per phone. If you need to use a sixth account, you'll have to remove one of the others first, or log in and out manually for that account instead of keeping it linked.
Will my accounts stay linked if I get a new phone?
No. Linked accounts are stored only on your current phone. When you set up a new phone, you'll need to add each account again by logging in with its username and password. Instagram does not transfer linked accounts between devices.