How to Change Your Instagram Email Address: A Step-by-Step Guide
Changing your Instagram email address is a relatively straightforward process, but it’s important to do it correctly to ensure you maintain access to your account and receive important notifications. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps on both mobile and desktop, troubleshoot common issues, and provide best practices for keeping your account secure.
## Why Change Your Instagram Email?
There are several reasons why you might want to change the email address associated with your Instagram account:
* **You’ve changed your primary email address:** This is the most common reason. You might have switched jobs, changed internet providers, or simply decided to use a different email service.
* **You’re no longer using the original email address:** If the email address you used to sign up for Instagram is no longer active, you won’t be able to receive password reset emails or other important notifications.
* **Security concerns:** If you suspect your email account has been compromised, changing your Instagram email address can help protect your account.
* **You want to consolidate your accounts:** You might prefer to use a single email address for all your social media accounts.
## Before You Begin
Before you start the process, make sure you have the following:
* **Access to your Instagram account:** You’ll need to be logged in to your Instagram account to make changes.
* **A valid email address:** You’ll need a working email address that you can access to verify the change. Instagram will send a confirmation email to this address.
* **Your Instagram password:** In some cases, Instagram might ask you to enter your password for security reasons.
## Changing Your Instagram Email Address on Mobile (Android & iOS)
This is the most common method for changing your email, as most people access Instagram via their mobile devices. The steps are nearly identical for both Android and iOS.
**Step 1: Open the Instagram App and Navigate to Your Profile**
* Launch the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet.
* Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you to your profile page.
**Step 2: Access the Menu**
* On your profile page, tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner of the screen. This opens a side menu.
**Step 3: Go to Settings and Privacy**
* In the side menu, tap on “Settings and privacy”. This will open a new page with various account settings.
**Step 4: Open Account Center**
* In the “Settings and privacy” page, you will find an option called “Account Center”. Tap on it. Account Center is linked to your Meta account.
**Step 5: Access Personal Details**
* In Account Center, locate and tap “Personal details”.
**Step 6: Select Contact Info**
* You’ll see different options, including “Email address,” “Phone number,” and “Date of birth”. Select “Contact info”.
**Step 7: Add New Contact Info**
* Tap the “Add new contact” button. A menu will appear with two options: “Add phone number” and “Add email address”.
**Step 8: Add New Email Address**
* Select “Add email address”.
**Step 9: Choose the Account**
* You’ll be prompted to select the Instagram account you want to add the email address to. Choose your account.
**Step 10: Enter Your New Email Address**
* Enter the new email address you want to associate with your Instagram account in the provided field.
**Step 11: Verify the Email Address**
* Instagram will send a verification email to the new address you entered. Open the email and click the verification link to confirm the change.
* If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder.
**Step 12: Remove the Old Email Address (Optional but Recommended)**
* Go back to Account Center > Personal Details > Contact Info.
* Select the old email address you want to remove. This will prevent any further communications from being sent to that address and enhances your account security.
* Tap “Delete email address”. You will be prompted to enter your password.
* Confirm the deletion of the old email address.
## Changing Your Instagram Email Address on Desktop
While most users prefer the mobile app, you can also change your email address through the Instagram website on a computer.
**Step 1: Go to the Instagram Website and Log In**
* Open your web browser and go to [www.instagram.com](http://www.instagram.com).
* Log in to your account using your username and password.
**Step 2: Access Your Profile**
* Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen. This will open a dropdown menu.
* Click on “Settings”.
**Step 3: Click on Account Center**
* In the left menu, you will find “Meta” options, among them is “Account Center”. Click on it. This will open a new window.
**Step 4: Access Personal Details**
* In Account Center, locate and click “Personal details”.
**Step 5: Select Contact Info**
* You’ll see different options, including “Email address,” “Phone number,” and “Date of birth”. Select “Contact info”.
**Step 6: Add New Contact Info**
* Click the “Add new contact” button. A menu will appear with two options: “Add phone number” and “Add email address”.
**Step 7: Add New Email Address**
* Select “Add email address”.
**Step 8: Choose the Account**
* You’ll be prompted to select the Instagram account you want to add the email address to. Choose your account.
**Step 9: Enter Your New Email Address**
* Enter the new email address you want to associate with your Instagram account in the provided field.
**Step 10: Verify the Email Address**
* Instagram will send a verification email to the new address you entered. Open the email and click the verification link to confirm the change.
* If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam or junk folder.
**Step 11: Remove the Old Email Address (Optional but Recommended)**
* Go back to Account Center > Personal Details > Contact Info.
* Select the old email address you want to remove. This will prevent any further communications from being sent to that address and enhances your account security.
* Click “Delete email address”. You will be prompted to enter your password.
* Confirm the deletion of the old email address.
## Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with these detailed instructions, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:
* **Verification Email Not Received:**
* **Check your spam/junk folder:** The verification email might have been mistakenly marked as spam.
* **Double-check the email address:** Make sure you entered the correct email address. Typos are common.
* **Wait a few minutes:** Sometimes, there might be a delay in receiving the email.
* **Request a new verification email:** If you still haven’t received the email after a reasonable time, try requesting a new one.
* **Instagram Won’t Let Me Change My Email:**
* **Too many recent changes:** Instagram might limit the number of changes you can make in a short period. Wait a few days and try again.
* **Account flagged for suspicious activity:** If Instagram suspects your account has been compromised, it might restrict certain actions. Contact Instagram support for assistance.
* **You’re using a VPN:** Sometimes VPNs can interfere with the process. Try disabling your VPN and try again.
* **Error Message: “This Email Is Already in Use”:**
* **You already use this email on another Instagram account:** Each Instagram account requires a unique email address. You’ll need to use a different email or remove the email from the other account first.
* **You might have forgotten about another account:** Try logging in with the email address to see if you have another Instagram account you’ve forgotten about.
* **Password Issues:**
* **Forgotten Password:** If you can’t remember your password, use the “Forgot Password?” link on the login page to reset it.
* **Incorrect Password:** Double-check that you’re entering the correct password. Passwords are case-sensitive.
## Security Best Practices After Changing Your Email
Changing your email address is a good time to review your account security. Here are some best practices to follow:
* **Enable Two-Factor Authentication:** Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your account by requiring a code from your phone in addition to your password.
* **Use a Strong, Unique Password:** Avoid using easily guessable passwords like your birthday or name. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
* **Don’t Share Your Password:** Never share your password with anyone.
* **Be Cautious of Phishing Attempts:** Be wary of suspicious emails or messages asking for your login information. Instagram will never ask for your password via email.
* **Review Authorized Apps:** Regularly review the apps that have access to your Instagram account and remove any you no longer use.
* **Keep Your Email Account Secure:** Make sure your email account is also secure, as it’s linked to your Instagram account. Use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication on your email account as well.
* **Monitor Account Activity:** Regularly check your Instagram account activity for any suspicious behavior.
## Verifying Email Delivery and Notifications
After changing your email, ensure you’re receiving notifications correctly. Check the following:
* **Notification Settings:** Within the Instagram app, go to Settings > Notifications. Review your notification preferences to ensure you’re receiving the alerts you want.
* **Email Filters:** Check your email filters to make sure Instagram emails aren’t being automatically filtered or deleted.
* **Test Notifications:** Ask a friend to tag you in a post or send you a direct message to see if you receive the notifications.
## How to Change the Email Address if You Can’t Access Your Account
If you’ve lost access to your Instagram account, changing your email address becomes more complex. Here’s what you can do:
* **Use the “Forgot Password?” Option:** Even if you can’t access your email, try using the “Forgot Password?” option on the login page. Instagram may offer alternative verification methods, such as sending a code to your phone number.
* **Contact Instagram Support:** If you’re unable to recover your account through the “Forgot Password?” option, contact Instagram support directly. You’ll need to provide proof of ownership of the account, such as a government-issued ID or screenshots of your profile.
* **Be Prepared to Provide Information:** Instagram support may ask you for information about your account, such as the date you created it, the last time you logged in, and any email addresses or phone numbers associated with the account.
## Recovering Your Account After a Hack
If you suspect your Instagram account has been hacked and your email address has been changed without your permission, act quickly:
* **Report the Hack to Instagram:** Use the “Report a Problem” feature on the Instagram website or app to report the hack. Provide as much detail as possible about what happened.
* **Try to Reclaim Your Account:** Follow the steps provided by Instagram to try to reclaim your account. This may involve verifying your identity and providing proof of ownership.
* **Change Your Passwords:** Once you’ve regained access to your account, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication.
* **Review Account Activity:** Check your account activity for any unauthorized posts, messages, or changes to your profile.
## Important Considerations for Business Accounts
If you’re changing the email address associated with a business Instagram account, keep these points in mind:
* **Update Contact Information:** Make sure to update your contact information on your profile to reflect the new email address.
* **Notify Your Team:** If you have a team managing your Instagram account, inform them of the email address change.
* **Update Third-Party Apps:** If you use any third-party apps to manage your Instagram account, update the email address in those apps as well.
* **Monitor Analytics:** Keep an eye on your account analytics to ensure the email change hasn’t affected your reach or engagement.
## Conclusion
Changing your Instagram email address is a simple yet crucial step in maintaining control and security over your account. By following this detailed guide and implementing the recommended best practices, you can ensure a smooth transition and protect your Instagram presence. Regularly reviewing your account settings and security measures is vital for a positive and secure social media experience. Remember to always prioritize the security of your email account as it serves as a primary recovery method for your associated accounts. If you encounter any persistent issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Instagram’s support team for assistance.