What you need before you start
To create an Instagram account, you need a working email address or phone number, a password you haven't used elsewhere, and a username. Instagram will also ask for your full name, though you can use a nickname or business name instead — this doesn't have to match your username. You don't need a credit card, a phone number if you use email, or any prior social media experience.
If you're creating an account for a business, you can switch to a business profile after signup, which gives you access to analytics and promotional tools. Personal accounts work the same way to start — the difference comes later.
Key Takeaways
- You can sign up using either an email address or a phone number, and you'll need a password that's different from passwords you use on other sites.
- Your username is what other people see and type to find you; your full name is separate and can be anything, including a business name.
- The signup process takes about two minutes and happens entirely on the Instagram app or website.
- After you create your account, Instagram may ask you to verify your email or phone number before you can post.
- You can change your username, full name, and profile photo anytime after signup without losing your account.
Creating your account on the app or website
Open Instagram on your phone (using the app) or go to instagram.com in a web browser. On the app, tap "Create new account" at the bottom of the login screen. On the website, click "Create new account" below the login box. Both routes take you to the same signup form.
Enter your email address or phone number in the first field. Instagram will send a code to verify it — you'll need that code in the next step. If you use a phone number, make sure it's one you can access right now, because Instagram sends the code by text message.
Tap or click "Next" and enter the code Instagram sent you. This step confirms that the email or phone number actually belongs to you. If you don't see the code within a minute, check your spam folder (for email) or wait a few seconds (for text).
Choosing your username and password
After you verify your email or phone, Instagram asks for your full name and a password. The full name field is where you put the name people will see on your profile — this can be your real name, a nickname, your business name, or anything else. This is separate from your username.
Your username is what comes after the @ symbol and what people type to search for you. Usernames can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. Instagram will tell you if a username is already taken; if it is, try adding a number or underscore. You can change your username later, so don't spend too long on this step.
Your password should be at least six characters and should not be a password you use anywhere else. If you reuse passwords across sites, a breach at one site puts all your accounts at risk. Write it down somewhere safe, or use a password manager to store it.
Completing your profile information
After you create your password, Instagram asks for your birth date. This is required and Instagram uses it to enforce age restrictions — accounts for people under 13 have different privacy settings. You can change your birth date later if you made a mistake, but Instagram may ask you to verify it with a photo ID if you change it multiple times.
Next, Instagram asks if you want to connect your account to Facebook or another social media account. You can skip this step — it's optional. Connecting accounts makes it easier to log in later, but it also links your data across platforms. You can add these connections anytime after signup.
Verifying your account and adding a photo
After you finish the signup form, Instagram may ask you to verify your email or phone number again. Check the inbox or text messages for a code and enter it. This step can take a few minutes, and sometimes Instagram skips it entirely.
Once verification is done, Instagram takes you to your new profile. You'll see a prompt to add a profile photo. You can upload a photo from your phone or computer, take one with your camera, or skip this step for now. Your profile photo is what appears next to your username when you comment or post, so it's worth adding one, but you can do it anytime.
What to do after your account is live
Your account is now ready to use. You can follow other accounts, like posts, and send direct messages right away. If you want to post your own photos or videos, Instagram may ask you to verify your email or phone one more time — this is a security measure and usually takes less than a minute.
If you created a personal account but want to switch to a business profile later, go to Settings, tap "Account," and select "Switch to professional account." You'll choose whether you want a Creator or Business profile. This change doesn't affect your followers or posts — it just unlocks analytics and promotional features.
Troubleshooting common signup problems
If Instagram says your username is taken, try adding numbers or underscores. If it says your email or phone is already linked to another account, you either created an account before and forgot about it, or someone else used that contact information. You can search for the account using your email or phone number, or use Instagram's "Forgot password?" option to recover it.
If you don't receive the verification code, check your spam folder and make sure you entered your email or phone number correctly. Wait at least a minute before requesting a new code — Instagram sometimes delays sending them. If you're using a phone number, make sure your phone plan includes text messages.
If Instagram locks your account during signup and asks for a photo ID, this usually means the system flagged something unusual about the signup attempt. Follow Instagram's instructions to verify your identity. This can take a few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a fake name or business name instead of my real name?
Yes. The full name field on your profile can be anything — Instagram doesn't verify it. You can use a nickname, your business name, or any text you want. Your username is separate and also doesn't have to match your real name.
What's the difference between my username and my full name?
Your username is what people search for and what appears after the @ symbol — it's unique to you and can't have spaces. Your full name is what displays at the top of your profile and can include spaces, numbers, and special characters. You can change both anytime.
Do I need a phone number to create an Instagram account?
No. You can sign up with just an email address. Instagram asks for a phone number later if you want to use two-factor authentication for security, but it's optional during signup.
Can I create multiple Instagram accounts with the same email?
No. Each email address can only be linked to one Instagram account. If you want multiple accounts, use different email addresses for each one. You can switch between them by going to Settings and tapping your username at the top.
How long does it take to create an account?
The signup process usually takes two to five minutes. Verification can add a few more minutes if Instagram sends a code by text or email. In rare cases, Instagram may ask for additional verification that takes longer.