With around three billion active users, Instagram is one of the most popular apps in the world. Since Facebook bought it in 2012, the service has evolved into a multifaceted social media platform with a messenger, long-form video uploads, live streaming, and business features. Being able to change and reset your Instagram password will ensure that you never lose access to one of the world's favorite social media sites.
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Why might you need to reset your Instagram password?
Instagram doesn’t usually automatically log out users, meaning you might stay logged in to your account for months without needing to use your password. As time passes, you might even forget you need one. However, you might encounter a few scenarios that call for a full password reset:
You’ve switched to a new device and need to log in to Instagram after installing the app, but you can’t remember your password.
Your current password appeared in a data breach.
You’ve received a notification about a suspicious login attempt.
You feel that your old password is weak and vulnerable to attacks.
You’ve used the same password for other accounts.
Security is the primary concern — Instagram’s private messenger is one of the platform’s main appeals, even after Meta discontinued end-to-end encryption. People use Instagram for conversations and to share media on private accounts. Businesses also find use in the platform by promoting their products and communicating with clients.
Cybercriminals can interfere with your privacy, access sensitive information, and use compromised accounts to spread malicious links through direct messages. They can review your mutual contacts and target them in attacks by pretending to be you. Once they’ve reached their goal — gaining personal information and stealing credentials — they can simply deactivate your account, taking all your memories down with it.
Instagram accounts are often targeted in credential stuffing attacks. Criminals use publicly available usernames alongside passwords that were leaked from other websites to guess existing login credentials. Any account with the same password as your Instagram can be at risk of a breach. To prevent having your account on Instagram or any other platform breached, you should always use unique login credentials.
Scammers can also use phishing attacks to steal Instagram passwords. They send emails pretending to be Meta Support and asking users to provide their login credentials due to an issue with an account. The email usually contains a link to a password reset website and no other additional information.
Tip: Meta will never send you a password reset email unprompted, so if you’ve received one without going through the reset steps, don’t open the link and mark the email as spam.
What happens if your Instagram is hacked?
The first risk of having your Instagram account hacked is getting locked out of it. Meta issues an alert to your phone if it detects a suspicious login attempt from a new device, giving you time to promptly change your password and log out of other devices. However, if the hacker has time to change the password themselves and edit your contact information, you could risk losing your account for good.
Instagram doesn’t have an end-to-end encrypted chat service, so once they’re in your account, cybercriminals can see all your messages to other users. They can use this to snoop on your personal information and find out your close contacts.
If you have a business account, cybercriminals can alter your ad settings to display content that goes against the platform’s terms of service. This can lead to loss of followers, disruption in revenue, and even termination of the account.
If you’ve reused your Instagram password on other platforms, criminals will likely test where else it works. To prevent more accounts from being compromised, change your Instagram password as soon as you’re alerted about an unfamiliar login attempt. You can reset your password on your Instagram mobile and desktop app or the web browser. Update the password on platforms where you’ve reused it as well to protect those accounts.
How to change your Instagram password on the app
The process of resetting your Instagram passwords is the same whether you use an iOS or Android device because you need access to the Meta Accounts Center:
Open your Instagram app.
Tap the account icon in the bottom-right corner.
Select the hamburger menu at the top right of the screen.
Under “Your account,” select “Accounts center.”
Select “Password and security.”
Tap “Change password.”
Input your current password and the new password.
Retype the new password.
Optionally, you can tick the “Log out of other devices” box. We recommend checking it if someone has gained access to your account.
Tap “Change password.”
How to change your Instagram password on the desktop app or website
If you’re trying to access Instagram on the web browser or desktop app, you can find the password settings here:
Open the Instagram website.
In the bottom-left corner, click the hamburger menu labeled “More.”
Select “Settings.”
In the sidebar, select “Accounts center.”
Under “Account settings,” select “Password and security.”
Click “Change password.”
Enter your current password.
Enter the new password and retype it to verify.
You can choose to log out of all devices. We recommend checking this box as a security measure.
Click “Change password” to confirm the update.
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How to reset a forgotten Instagram password
If you forgot your Instagram password, you can reset it on the login screen or in the password change settings. To reset a password on the login screen, you need to:
Open the Instagram app or website.
Under the login detail fields, select “Forgotten password?”
Enter the username, phone number, or email address associated with the account.
Select “Continue.”
Choose if you want to get a reset link via email, text message, or continue with your password if you remember it.
As a security measure, you may be asked to complete a confirmation step.
Instagram will send an email or a message to your chosen channel. If you’ve selected to receive an email, you can click one of the links to log in as your account or reset the password. Select “Reset your password.”
Create a new password. Instagram requires it to be at least six characters long and include a combination of numbers, letters, and special characters. We recommend using a password generator to create a strong password that’s at least 15 characters long.
Retype the new password and select “Reset password.”
The "Instagram hacked" security portal
Meta services deal with daily attempts to steal user accounts. To streamline account recovery, it has implemented dedicated security portals for Facebook and Instagram that help users regain access to compromised accounts. We recommend completing this process on your mobile device to access the Instagram app. Otherwise, you will be recommended to the Instagram help page with recovery instructions.
If your account is compromised, go to the “My Instagram was hacked” page.
Enter the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account and select “Next.”
Enter a new password for the account and select “Continue.” This will log you out of other devices and unlink recently linked accounts.
How to break the Instagram video selfie loop
If you try to continuously regain access to your account with little success, or if you’ve forgotten all your related recovery information, Meta’s automated safety block can kick in. It requires you to submit a video selfie to prove your likeness and verify your identity.
Asking for a video instead of just a photo of an ID ensures malicious actors can’t tamper with the visuals and use a forged document for identification. However, some users might run into issues where this feature gets stuck in a loop, preventing them from completing the authentication.
To pass the video selfie identification, you should keep a few tips in mind:
Ensure your whole face is visible. Move your hair away from your face, and don't wear obstructive clothing or accessories like masks, hats, or sunglasses.
Take the video in a well-lit spot. Shadows, dim lighting, and too much exposure can obscure your features and make your face harder to identify.
Follow the instructions on the screen. You will be asked to move your head in different directions.
Arm yourself with patience. The authentication process can sometimes take a while, and you won’t be able to access your account until it’s resolved. Within 30 days of the verification, Meta will delete your video selfie.
How to reset your password using your Facebook account
If you can’t access your Instagram account but have linked it to your Facebook, you can use the latter platform to reset the account. However, this only works if the two accounts are connected.
To reset your Instagram password via Facebook, you need to:
Open the Facebook website or launch the app.
Go to your account settings.
Under “Settings and privacy,” select “Accounts center.” You will see all your connected Meta accounts.
In the account settings, select “Password and security.”
Click “Change password” and choose your Instagram account.
You will be asked to enter your current password and the new one. If you can’t remember the current password, select “Forgotten your password?”
Meta will send you a link via email or text message to reset the password.
Open the link and enter your new password.
Retype the new password and select “Reset password.”
Password protection for all your accounts
Changing your login credentials when you’ve forgotten them or found out they’ve been compromised can be a lifesaver. Platforms like Instagram hold our happy moments, shared experiences, and chats with friends. Losing them can feel like losing a chunk of your personal history.
With a password manager like NordPass, you can protect your Instagram account — and all other accounts you use — with strong and unique passwords. You don’t need to worry about forgetting them or wasting time typing out the characters because they’re autofilled right on the login screen on your browser and mobile devices. If your account gets compromised and its credentials end up on the dark web, the Data Breach Scanner will alert you immediately.
Strengthen your account protection and keep all your memories safe with a reliable password manager.