The basic steps to set up Instagram

To create a new Instagram account, download the Instagram app from your phone's app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store), open it, and tap "Create new account". You'll enter an email address or phone number, create a username, set a password, and add your name. Instagram will send a confirmation code to your email or phone — enter that code to verify your account, then you can add a profile photo and bio. The whole process takes about five minutes.

You can also create an account on Instagram's website at instagram.com by clicking "Create new account" at the bottom of the login page, though the mobile app is more straightforward. Either way, you need a valid email address or phone number that you can access right now, because Instagram sends a code you must enter to finish setup.

Key Takeaways

  • Download the Instagram app or visit instagram.com, then tap or click "Create new account" and enter an email address or phone number you can access immediately.
  • Instagram will send a confirmation code to that email or phone number — you must enter it to complete your account setup.
  • Your username is what other people see and use to find you; your name is what appears on your profile but is not your login.
  • You can add a profile photo and bio after your account is created, or skip them and add them later.
  • If you already have a Facebook account, you can use your Facebook login to speed up the process instead of entering an email address.

Choosing a username and password

Your username is the handle people use to find and mention you on Instagram — it appears in your profile URL and in search results. Usernames can contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores, but no spaces or special characters. Instagram will tell you if a username is already taken; if it is, try adding a number or underscore. Keep in mind that you can change your username later, so you do not have to get it perfect on the first try.

Your password should be at least six characters long and something you can remember but others cannot guess. Avoid using your real name, birthday, or pet's name. A strong password mixes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols — for example, "BlueMoon#2024" is stronger than "password123". Write it down somewhere safe, like a password manager, because you will need it to log in.

Adding your email or phone number

Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create your account. The email or phone number does not have to be public — it is only used for account recovery and Instagram's notifications. If you choose email, use one you check regularly, because Instagram sends important messages there, including the confirmation code you need right now to finish setup.

If you use a phone number instead, Instagram will send the confirmation code as a text message. Either way, make sure you have access to whichever one you choose before you start, because you cannot move forward without entering the code Instagram sends. If you do not receive the code within a few minutes, check your spam or junk folder, or ask Instagram to send it again.

Setting up your profile after account creation

Once your account is confirmed, Instagram asks you to add a profile photo and a short bio. Your profile photo is what people see next to your username in comments and messages — you can upload a photo from your phone or take one with your camera. Your bio is a short description (up to 150 characters) that tells people who you are; you can leave it blank and add it later if you are not sure what to write yet.

You can also add a website link in your bio, which is useful if you want to direct people to a blog, business site, or other page. After you finish these steps, your account is live and you can start following people, posting photos, or just browsing. You can edit your profile photo, bio, and website link anytime by tapping your profile icon and selecting "Edit profile".

Using Facebook to speed up account creation

If you already have a Facebook account, you can use it to create an Instagram account faster. When you tap "Create new account" on the Instagram app, select "Log in with Facebook" instead of entering an email address. Instagram will pull your name and profile photo from Facebook and use your Facebook login to create your Instagram account. This skips the email confirmation step because Facebook has already verified your identity.

Keep in mind that linking Instagram to Facebook does not automatically share your posts or make your accounts public to each other — they remain separate. You can control what information Facebook shares with Instagram in your Facebook privacy settings. If you later want to disconnect your Instagram account from Facebook, you can do that in Instagram's settings under "Accounts Center".

What to do if you cannot receive the confirmation code

If Instagram sends a confirmation code but you do not receive it, first check your email spam or junk folder — sometimes the code lands there by mistake. If you still do not see it, go back to the Instagram app and tap "Didn't get a code?" to request a new one. Instagram will usually offer to send it again or try a different method (email instead of text, or vice versa).

If you are using a phone number and do not have access to that phone anymore, tap "Use email instead" and enter an email address you can access. If you are stuck and cannot move forward, you may need to try again later or use a different email address or phone number to create your account. Instagram's support page at help.instagram.com has troubleshooting steps if the problem continues.

Keeping your new account secure

After you create your account, take a few minutes to set up security features that protect it from being hacked. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select "Settings and privacy", then "Security". Turn on two-factor authentication, which requires a code from your phone or an authentication app every time you log in from a new device. This makes it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they know your password.

You should also review your login activity to see where your account has been accessed. In the same Security section, tap "Your login activity" to see a list of devices and locations that have logged into your account. If you see a login you do not recognize, you can log out that session immediately. These steps take only a few minutes but make a real difference in keeping your account yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create an Instagram account without an email or phone number?

No, Instagram requires either an email address or a phone number to create an account. This is how Instagram verifies you are a real person and sends you the confirmation code. You can use any email address or phone number you have access to — it does not have to be your primary one.

What if my username is already taken?

Try adding a number, period, or underscore to your desired username. For example, if "sarah.jones" is taken, try "sarah.jones1" or "sarah_jones". You can also change your username later if you find a better one, so do not spend too much time on this step now.

Can I create multiple Instagram accounts with the same email address?

No, each Instagram account needs its own email address or phone number. However, once you create one account, you can add other email addresses or phone numbers to that same account in your settings, which lets you log in with any of them. If you want a completely separate account, you will need a different email or phone number.

Is it safe to use my real name as my username?

Yes, it is safe — your username is public and visible to everyone. However, many people use a variation of their name or a nickname instead of their full legal name for privacy reasons. Your actual name (the one you enter separately during setup) does not have to match your username.

How do I delete my Instagram account if I change my mind?

Go to instagram.com on a computer, log in, click your profile icon, select "Settings and privacy", then "Help", then "Delete account". Instagram will ask you to confirm and may offer to temporarily disable it instead. Deleting is permanent and cannot be undone, so make sure that is what you want before you proceed.