What connecting Instagram to Facebook actually does
Connecting Instagram to Facebook lets you share posts to both platforms at once, manage both accounts from one place, and use Facebook's business tools if you have a business account. The connection happens through Meta's account system — Meta owns both Instagram and Facebook, so linking them is straightforward. You do this through Instagram's settings, not Facebook's.
The connection is optional. You can use Instagram without linking it to Facebook, and you can unlink them at any time. Linking does not merge your accounts or combine your followers — your Instagram followers stay on Instagram, and your Facebook friends stay on Facebook.
Key Takeaways
- You link Instagram to Facebook through Instagram's settings under "Accounts Center," not through Facebook itself.
- Linking lets you cross-post to both platforms and manage both accounts from Instagram's dashboard, but does not combine your audiences.
- You need to own or have admin access to both accounts before you can link them.
- If you use a business account on either platform, linking gives you access to shared analytics and advertising tools.
- You can unlink the accounts at any time, and doing so does not delete either account or remove past posts.
How to link Instagram and Facebook on your phone
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap Settings and privacy, then Settings. Scroll down and tap Accounts Center. If you see "Accounts Center" listed, tap it. If you do not see it yet, you may need to update Instagram first — go to your app store and check for updates.
Once you are in Accounts Center, tap Add account or Accounts (the exact wording varies by phone). Select Facebook from the list. You will be asked to log in to your Facebook account. Enter your Facebook email or phone number and password. Instagram will ask for permission to connect the accounts — tap Continue as [Your Name] or Allow. The accounts are now linked.
If you already have both accounts in Accounts Center but they are not linked, tap the account name and look for a Link accounts or Connect button. The exact steps depend on whether you are using iOS or Android, but the menu structure is the same.
How to link Instagram and Facebook on a computer
Go to instagram.com and log in. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom left. Click Settings and privacy, then Settings. On the left side, click Accounts Center. Click Add account or Accounts depending on what you see.
Select Facebook from the list. A new window will open asking you to log in to Facebook. Enter your email or phone number and password. Facebook will ask permission to connect to Instagram — click Continue or Allow. Once you confirm, the accounts are linked and you will see both listed in Accounts Center.
What you can do once Instagram and Facebook are linked
You can now share a post to both Instagram and Facebook at the same time. When you create a post on Instagram, look for an option that says Also share to or Share to Facebook before you hit post. Check the box next to Facebook, and the post will go to both platforms. The post will look slightly different on each platform because Instagram and Facebook have different layouts, but the photo or video and caption will be the same.
If you have a business account on either platform, you can now see analytics for both accounts in one place. Go to Insights or Analytics in your Instagram menu — you will see options to view data for Instagram, Facebook, or both together. You can also use Meta's advertising tools to run ads across both platforms without setting up separate campaigns.
You can also switch between accounts without logging out. In Accounts Center, tap or click the account you want to use, and Instagram will switch to that account instantly.
Unlinking Instagram from Facebook
If you want to disconnect the accounts, go back to Accounts Center (Settings and privacy > Settings > Accounts Center). Find the account you want to unlink. On a phone, tap the account name, then look for Remove account or Unlink. On a computer, click the account and look for the same option. Confirm that you want to unlink.
Unlinking does not delete either account, does not remove any posts you made, and does not affect your followers on either platform. You can link them again later if you change your mind. If you want to stop cross-posting to Facebook but keep the accounts linked, simply do not check the "share to Facebook" box when you create a post.
Troubleshooting common linking problems
If you see an error message saying the accounts cannot be linked, the most common reason is that you do not have admin access to one or both accounts. If someone else created the Facebook account and you are just a user, you cannot link it to Instagram. You need to be the owner or have admin-level permissions. Ask the account owner to give you admin access, or create your own Facebook account to link instead.
If Accounts Center does not appear in your settings, your app may be outdated. Go to your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store) and check for Instagram updates. Download any available updates and try again. If you are on a computer and Accounts Center is not showing, try logging out of Instagram completely, closing your browser, and logging back in.
If you linked the accounts but cross-posting is not working, make sure you are checking the share box before you post. On Instagram, this box appears right before you tap or click the final "Share" button — if you do not see it, scroll down on the post preview screen. Also check that your Facebook account has not been restricted or disabled, which would prevent Instagram from posting to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will linking Instagram to Facebook combine my followers?
No. Your Instagram followers stay on Instagram, and your Facebook friends stay on Facebook. Linking only lets you post to both platforms at once — it does not merge your audiences or show your Instagram followers on Facebook or vice versa.
Can I link multiple Instagram accounts to one Facebook account?
Yes, you can link more than one Instagram account to the same Facebook account through Accounts Center. Each Instagram account will appear separately in Accounts Center, and you can switch between them or cross-post from each one independently.
What happens to my posts if I unlink the accounts?
Posts you made before unlinking stay on both platforms. Posts you made after unlinking will only appear on the platform where you posted them. Unlinking does not delete anything — it just stops the connection between the accounts.
Do I need a business account to link Instagram and Facebook?
No. You can link personal accounts. However, if you have a business account on either platform, linking gives you access to shared analytics and advertising tools that personal accounts do not have.
Can I link Instagram to a Facebook Page instead of my personal account?
Yes. In Accounts Center, you can add a Facebook Page instead of a personal account. The process is the same — select Facebook, log in, and choose the Page you want to link when prompted.