You can change your age on Instagram through your profile settings, but Instagram restricts how often you can make the change

Instagram lets you edit your birth date in your profile settings at any time, but the platform has built-in limits on how frequently you can change it. You can alter your age once every 60 days. If you've already made a change recently, you'll see a message telling you when you can change it again.

The reason for this limit is to prevent account takeovers — if someone gains unauthorized access to your account, they can't immediately change your age and other identifying information to lock you out. It's a friction point that protects your account, even though it can be frustrating if you need to correct an error right away.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your birth date by going to Settings and Privacy, then Personal Information, then Birth Date in the Instagram app or website.
  • Instagram enforces a 60-day waiting period between age changes, so you cannot alter it again until that window passes.
  • If you set your age as under 18 when you created your account, Instagram automatically restricts certain features like message requests from adults you don't follow.
  • Changing your age does not affect your account history, posts, or followers — it only updates how your profile appears and what features are available to you.

Step-by-step: changing your age in the Instagram app

Open Instagram and tap your profile icon at the bottom right. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner, then tap Settings and Privacy. Scroll down and tap Personal Information, then tap Birth Date.

You'll see your current birth date displayed. Tap on it to open the date picker. Select your month, day, and year, then tap Done. Instagram will confirm the change and show you when you're next able to modify it — typically 60 days from that moment.

If you see a message saying you cannot change your birth date yet, note the exact date shown. You'll need to wait until that date passes before trying again.

Changing your age on Instagram's website

Go to Instagram.com and log in. Click your profile icon in the top right, then click Settings. On the left sidebar, click Personal Information. Click Birth Date and follow the same process as the app — select your month, day, and year, then save the change.

The 60-day restriction applies whether you change your age on the app or the website. If you've changed it on one platform, you cannot change it again on the other platform until the waiting period ends.

What happens when you change your age

Changing your age updates your profile but does not delete your posts, followers, or account history. People who follow you will not be notified of the change, and your feed and messages remain exactly as they were.

However, if you change your age from under 18 to 18 or older, Instagram may unlock features that were previously restricted — such as the ability to receive message requests from adults you don't follow, or access to certain advertising and business tools. The reverse is also true: if you change from 18 or older to under 18, some features will be restricted again.

If your account was created with an age under 13, Instagram will not allow you to use the platform at all, because the service is not available to users under 13 in most countries. If you're in this situation, you'll need to contact Instagram support to resolve it.

If you cannot change your age due to the 60-day limit

The 60-day waiting period is fixed and cannot be shortened. Instagram does not offer exceptions or ways to bypass it, even if you made a mistake when you first set your age.

If you entered your age incorrectly and need to correct it urgently — for instance, because it's affecting your account access or features — you can contact Instagram support through the app. Go to Settings and Privacy, tap Help, then tap Report a Problem. Explain that you entered an incorrect birth date and ask if support can assist. Instagram support may review your request, but they typically enforce the 60-day rule and cannot override it.

Why Instagram restricts age changes so strictly

Instagram's age restrictions exist because the platform has different rules for users under 18. Younger users have limited messaging capabilities, reduced ad targeting, and restricted access to certain features. These protections are required by laws like COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) in the United States and similar regulations in other countries.

The 60-day waiting period prevents someone who gains access to your account from immediately changing your age to bypass these protections or to impersonate you as a different age. It's one of several friction points Instagram uses to make account takeovers harder — similar to how you cannot change your username or email address instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my age more than once every 60 days?

No. Instagram enforces a strict 60-day waiting period between age changes. You cannot change it again until that period expires, regardless of the reason. If you made a mistake, you'll need to wait.

What if I set my age wrong when I created my account?

You can change it now using the steps above, but you'll have to wait 60 days before changing it again. If your account was created with an age under 13, contact Instagram support — you may not be able to use the account until this is corrected.

Does changing my age affect my followers or posts?

No. Your posts, followers, and account history remain unchanged. Only your profile information and the features available to you (like messaging restrictions) are affected by the age change.

Can Instagram support override the 60-day limit?

Instagram support typically cannot override the 60-day waiting period. They may review requests if you explain the situation, but the restriction is a built-in security feature that applies to all accounts.

What happens if I change my age from under 18 to over 18?

Features that were restricted for younger users — such as receiving messages from adults you don't follow — will become available. Your account settings will update to reflect the new age group, but your content and followers stay the same.