Instagram works differently depending on what device you're using
Instagram is a photo and video sharing app owned by Meta. You can use it on a smartphone (iPhone or Android), on a tablet, or through a web browser on a computer. The installation process is different for each one, and what you can do with Instagram also varies slightly by device. A smartphone app gives you the full experience. A web browser version works on any computer but has fewer features. A tablet can use either the phone app or the web version.
This guide walks you through installing Instagram on whichever device you have. You'll need an internet connection and either an email address or a phone number to create an account. If you already have an Instagram account, you can just log in instead of creating a new one.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, you download Instagram from the App Store; on Android phones, you download it from Google Play Store.
- On a computer, you don't install anything — you just go to instagram.com in your web browser and log in.
- You need either an email address or phone number to create a new Instagram account, plus a username and password.
- After you install the app or open the website, you can either create a new account or log in if you already have one.
Installing Instagram on an iPhone
On an iPhone, Instagram lives in the App Store. Open the App Store app (the blue icon with a white square). Tap the search tab at the bottom of the screen. Type "Instagram" in the search box. The official Instagram app appears at the top of the results — it has a camera icon and is made by Meta Platforms, Inc.
Tap the cloud icon with a down arrow (or the word "Get" if you haven't downloaded it before). Your phone may ask you to confirm with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple password. Do that, and the app downloads and installs automatically. When it's done, the button changes to "Open." Tap it to start Instagram for the first time.
Installing Instagram on an Android phone
On an Android phone, Instagram comes from Google Play Store. Open the Play Store app (the colorful triangle icon). Tap the search icon at the bottom. Type "Instagram" in the search box. The official Instagram app appears at the top — it has a camera icon and is made by Meta Platforms, Inc.
Tap "Install." Your phone may ask you to confirm that you want to give Instagram permission to access your photos, contacts, and location. You can allow or deny these — Instagram works either way, though some features (like uploading photos) work better if you allow access to your photos. Once installation finishes, the button changes to "Open." Tap it to start Instagram for the first time.
Using Instagram on a computer or tablet
You don't need to install anything on a computer. Open any web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge — any of them work). Go to instagram.com. You'll see the Instagram login page. If you already have an account, enter your email or username and password. If you don't have an account yet, you can create one right there by tapping "Create new account."
On a tablet, you have two choices. You can use the web version the same way you would on a computer — just go to instagram.com in your browser. Or you can download the phone app from your tablet's app store (App Store for iPad, Google Play Store for Android tablets). The phone app works on tablets but may look stretched or have extra blank space on the sides. Most people find the web version more comfortable on a tablet.
Creating a new Instagram account
When you open Instagram for the first time, you'll see a login screen. Tap "Create new account" or "Sign up." Instagram asks for your email address or phone number. You can use either one. Then you create a password — make it something you can remember but that's not easy to guess. Instagram also asks for your full name (this is what appears on your profile) and a username (this is what other people type to find you, like @yourname).
Usernames can only have letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. If the username you want is already taken, Instagram suggests similar ones. Once you've filled everything in, tap "Sign up" or "Next." Instagram may ask you to verify your email or phone number by entering a code it sends you. Do that, and your account is ready to use.
Logging in if you already have an account
If you already have an Instagram account, you don't need to create a new one. On the login screen, enter the email address or phone number you used when you created your account, then enter your password. Tap "Log in." If you have two-factor authentication turned on (a security feature), Instagram asks for a code from your phone or an authentication app — enter that and you're in.
If you forget your password, tap "Forgot password?" on the login screen. Instagram sends a reset link to your email or a code to your phone. Follow the instructions to create a new password. If you forget which email or phone number you used, you can try a few different ones — Instagram tells you if it recognizes the account.
What to do if installation gets stuck
If the app won't download or install, first check that you have enough storage space on your phone. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. On Android, go to Settings > Storage. If you're low on space, delete some photos or videos you don't need, or uninstall apps you don't use. Then try installing Instagram again.
If you still have trouble, restart your phone completely — turn it off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try installing again. If the app store itself isn't working, check that you have a working internet connection (WiFi or mobile data). If nothing works after that, you can always use Instagram through a web browser instead — go to instagram.com on any computer or phone browser and log in there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Facebook account to use Instagram?
No. You can create an Instagram account with just an email address or phone number. Instagram and Facebook are both owned by Meta, and they can share some settings if you want them to, but you don't need a Facebook account to use Instagram.
Can I use Instagram on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes. You can log into the same Instagram account on your phone, tablet, and computer all at once. Changes you make on one device (like following someone or posting a photo) show up on all the others.
What if I don't want to download the app and just want to use Instagram on my phone's web browser?
You can. Go to instagram.com in Safari, Chrome, or whatever browser your phone uses, and log in. The web version works on phones but is slower and has fewer features than the app. Most people find the app easier to use.
Is Instagram free to download and use?
Yes. The app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play Store, and there's no charge to create an account or use Instagram. Instagram makes money from ads that appear in your feed.
Can I change my username after I create my account?
Yes. Open Instagram, tap your profile icon at the bottom, tap the menu icon (three lines), go to Settings, then tap Username. You can change it as many times as you want, though Instagram may limit how often you can change it if you do it very frequently.