The quickest way to change your Instagram email
To change the email on your Instagram account, open the app or website, go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and Privacy, then Settings, and scroll to Account. Tap Email and enter your new email address. Instagram will send a confirmation link to that new address — you must click it within a set time to complete the change. The whole process takes about five minutes if you have access to both your old and new email inboxes.
You can change your email as many times as you want, and there is no limit to how often you do it. The change takes effect immediately after you confirm the new address. Your username, followers, and posts stay exactly the same.
Key Takeaways
- You change your email through Settings and Privacy > Settings > Account > Email, not through a password reset or account recovery page.
- Instagram sends a confirmation link to your new email address, and you must click it within the time limit or the change will not go through.
- If you no longer have access to your old email, you can use your username or phone number to recover your account instead.
- Changing your email does not affect your password, two-factor authentication settings, or any of your account data.
Step-by-step instructions for the Instagram app
Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Settings and Privacy. Tap Settings. Scroll down to the Account section and tap Email.
Type your new email address into the field. Tap Next. Instagram will show you a message saying it has sent a confirmation email to your new address. Go to that email inbox, find the message from Instagram (check spam if you do not see it), and click the confirmation link inside. Once you click the link, your email is changed.
How to change your email on Instagram.com
Log into Instagram on a web browser. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings. Click Account in the left sidebar. Click Email. Type your new email address and click Change Email. Instagram sends a confirmation link to the new address — open that email and click the link to finish.
The web version works the same way as the app. You will see the same confirmation step, and the change will not complete until you click the link in your email.
What to do if you cannot access your old email
If you no longer have access to the email address currently on your account, you cannot change it through the normal Settings menu, because Instagram needs to confirm the change through your current email. Instead, use Instagram's account recovery process. Go to the Instagram login page, tap Can't log in, and enter your username or phone number. Instagram will ask you to verify your identity — you can do this through a code sent to your phone number, a code from your authenticator app, or by uploading a photo of your ID.
Once you have verified your identity, you will be able to change your email address. This route takes longer than the normal process, usually 24 to 48 hours, because Instagram reviews the identity verification before letting you proceed.
Why you might want to change your email
People change their Instagram email for several reasons: they got a new email address and want to use it for all their accounts, their old email is no longer active, they want to use a work email instead of a personal one, or they are concerned about account security. Changing your email does not make your account more or less secure by itself — what matters is whether that email address is secure and whether you are the only person who can access it.
If you are changing your email because you think someone else has access to your account, also change your password and review your login activity. Go to Settings > Security > Login Activity to see where and when your account was accessed.
What happens to your password and two-factor authentication
Changing your email does not change your password or turn off two-factor authentication. Your password stays the same, and if you have two-factor authentication turned on (through an authenticator app or SMS), it stays on. This is actually a safety feature — if someone tries to change your email without your permission, they would still need your password and your second authentication method to do it.
If you want to change your password at the same time, you can do that in the same Settings menu. Go to Settings > Security > Password and enter your current password, then your new password twice.
Troubleshooting: confirmation email did not arrive
If Instagram sent a confirmation email but you did not receive it, check your spam or junk folder first — confirmation emails sometimes end up there. If it is not there, wait a few minutes and try again. Instagram usually resends the email quickly if you ask.
If you still cannot find the email after 10 minutes, go back to Settings > Account > Email and try entering the new email address again. Make sure you typed the address correctly — a single typo will send the confirmation to the wrong inbox. If the problem continues, try changing your email on a different device or browser, or wait a few hours and try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my Instagram email without a password?
No. You must be logged into your account to change the email. If you do not remember your password, use the "Can't log in" option on the login page to reset it first, then change your email.
Does changing my email affect my username or followers?
No. Your username, followers, posts, and all other account data stay exactly the same. Only the email address on file changes. People who follow you will not be notified, and they will not see any change.
How long does it take for the email change to go through?
The change is instant once you click the confirmation link in your email. If you do not click the link within the time limit (usually 24 hours), the change will not complete and you will need to start over.
Can I use the same email for multiple Instagram accounts?
No. Each Instagram account must have a unique email address. If you try to use an email that is already attached to another account, Instagram will not let you complete the change.
What if I change my email by mistake?
If you started the change but have not clicked the confirmation link yet, just ignore the email and your current email will stay on your account. If you already clicked the confirmation link, go back to Settings > Account > Email and change it to the correct address.