Change your password from Instagram's settings menu

Open Instagram on your phone or computer and go to your profile. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines on mobile, or the hamburger icon on desktop) and select Settings and privacy. Then tap Security, find Password, and tap it. Instagram will ask you to enter your current password, then type your new password twice to confirm it matches. Hit Change password and you're done.

The whole process takes about two minutes. Instagram will log you out of all your other sessions once you confirm the change, so you'll need to log back in on any other devices you use — phone, tablet, computer, or the web version.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your password from Settings and privacy > Security > Password on any device where you're logged in.
  • Instagram requires your current password before letting you set a new one, so you need to remember what it is now.
  • After you change your password, Instagram logs you out everywhere, and you'll need to log back in on each device.
  • If you've forgotten your current password, use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen instead of trying to change it from settings.

What makes a strong Instagram password

A strong password is at least 12 characters long and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid using words from the dictionary, your name, your username, or anything someone could guess from your profile — like your pet's name or birth year if you've posted about those things.

Do not reuse a password you've used on other accounts. If one website gets hacked, attackers will try that same password on Instagram, Facebook, Gmail, and everywhere else. A password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password can generate strong passwords and remember them for you, so you only have to remember one master password.

When to change your password

Change your password if you think someone else knows it, if you've used it on another site that was hacked, or if you shared your login with someone and no longer want them to have access. You should also change it if you logged into Instagram on a public computer or a friend's phone and forgot to log out.

If you suspect someone has already broken into your account — if you see posts you didn't make, or your email or phone number has changed — change your password immediately, then go to Settings and privacy > Security > Login activity to see where your account was accessed from. You can log out of suspicious sessions from that same screen.

If you've forgotten your current password

You cannot change your password from settings if you don't remember the current one. Instead, go to the Instagram login screen and tap Forgot password? Enter your username, email address, or phone number. Instagram will send you a link to reset your password — check your email or the phone number associated with your account.

Click the link in that email or text message, and you'll be taken to a page where you can create a new password without needing to know the old one. This process works the same way whether you're on mobile or desktop.

Logging back in after you change your password

After you change your password, Instagram automatically logs you out of every device and browser where you were signed in. Open Instagram again and enter your username and new password. If you use two-factor authentication — a security code sent to your phone or generated by an app — Instagram will ask for that code before letting you in.

If you have Instagram on multiple devices, you'll need to log back in on each one. This is intentional: it prevents someone who knew your old password from staying logged in on a device you don't control.

Using two-factor authentication for extra security

Two-factor authentication adds a second step to logging in: after you enter your password, Instagram sends a code to your phone or an authentication app, and you have to enter that code to finish logging in. Even if someone knows your password, they can't get into your account without that second code.

To turn on two-factor authentication, go to Settings and privacy > Security > Two-factor authentication. You can choose to receive codes by text message or use an app like Google Authenticator or Authy. Text message is simpler but slightly less secure; an app is more secure but requires you to set it up first.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Instagram logs you out of all devices when you change your password. Open the app again and log in with your new password. This usually takes less than a minute.

Can I change my password on the Instagram website instead of the app?

Yes. The steps are the same: go to your profile, click the menu icon, select Settings and privacy, then Security, then Password. The website version works on any computer or tablet.

What if I change my password and then immediately forget the new one?

Use the "Forgot password?" link on the login screen to reset it. You'll receive a reset link at your email address or phone number, and you can create a new password from there.

Does Instagram notify me when someone changes my password?

Instagram does not send you a notification when you change your own password. However, if someone else changes your password without your permission, you won't be able to log in. If that happens, use "Forgot password?" to regain access, then change it again immediately.