How to Create a Second Instagram Account (App and Computer)

Plenty of people end up wanting two Instagram accounts: one for friends and family, one for a side business, a hobby or a creative project. The good news is you don't need a second email address or a second phone just to try it, and you can flip between the two without logging out.

These steps come straight from Instagram's Help Centre. I'll also flag the wording choices on the screens, because the options around Accounts Center and passwords are where people get confused.

Adding a second Instagram account in the phone app

Instagram's steps for creating an additional profile from the app are:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile.
3. Tap your profile name at the top.
4. Tap Add Instagram account.
5. Tap Create new account.
6. Enter your new profile name, then tap Next.
7. Tap Continue, then tap Allow and continue to add the new profile to your Accounts Center.
8. Add a phone number or email, then tap Next.
9. Tap Complete sign up.

The profile name you choose becomes the new account's name, so think about whether it suits the purpose. Names are easier to choose now than to explain later.

Accounts Center or a separate password for your second Instagram account

At step seven, Instagram gives you a choice. Adding the new profile to your Accounts Center links it with your existing one. Instagram also says you can choose to create a password for the new profile if you don't want to add it to Accounts Center, by tapping Create password instead. Then you create a password and tap Next.

Think about which suits you. If the second account is for a business and you'd rather keep it clearly apart, a separate password is the option Instagram gives you for that. Whichever you choose, use a password you don't use anywhere else.

Adding an account you already have to your Instagram app

Sometimes you aren't creating anything new. You may already own another account and just want it on the same phone. Before you start a brand new one, it's worth confirming you haven't made one in the past; my walkthrough of how to check whether you already have an Instagram account takes a couple of minutes.

On a computer, Instagram's steps for adding an existing account are:

1. In the bottom left, click More, then click Switch accounts.
2. Enter the username and password of the account you'd like to add.
3. Click Log In.

Switching between your two Instagram accounts

Once both are added, you don't need to log out and back in. Instagram says you can switch between accounts you've added. On a computer, click More in the bottom left, click Switch accounts, then click the account you want.

Take a moment before you post. It's very easy to share something to the wrong account, so check which profile is showing at the top before you hit share.

How many Instagram accounts you can be logged into

Question	What Instagram says
How many can be logged in at once?	Up to 10 accounts
Minimum age to have a profile?	You must be at least 13 years old
Where can you create one?	The Instagram app or Instagram.com
Can accounts share Accounts Center?	Yes, if you add them

Instagram also says that if you already have a Facebook or Instagram account, you can use it to create a new Instagram account, and both accounts will be added to the same Accounts Center and have access to connected experiences.

Setting up your second Instagram profile so it looks finished

Once the account exists, the next job is making it look like somebody's home. Add a clear profile photo, a short description of who it's for and what you post. If you're starting a business profile, my notes on writing an Instagram bio that gets follows will help you say it in a few lines.

A second account isn't a shortcut around any rules. Instagram expects each profile to follow its Community Standards, and an account made to get round a restriction on another one isn't something I'd recommend.

Deciding whether a second Instagram account is worth it

Before you create one, ask what the second account is for. A separate account makes sense when the audience is different, for example customers on one and close friends on the other. It makes less sense if you only want to post less often, because two accounts mean double the posting, replying and checking.

If you're a small business owner, start with one account and only add a second when there's a clear job for it. Keeping the purpose of each profile in a single sentence makes it easier to stay consistent.

Keeping two Instagram accounts secure

• Use a different password for each account, and don't reuse one from another service.
• Never share login codes with anyone, including people offering to set up or recover an account for you.
• Keep recovery details, such as email and phone, up to date for both profiles.
• Log out of any device you no longer use.

If you can't add a second Instagram account

• Update the app and restart your phone, then try again.
• Check that you haven't reached the limit of 10 logged-in accounts.
• Make sure your connection works on both Wi-Fi and mobile data.
• If a screen won't load, look for Add Instagram account under your profile name rather than in Settings.
• If the problem keeps happening, report it through Menu, Help and Report a Problem.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a second Instagram account?

In the app, tap your profile picture, tap your profile name at the top, tap Add Instagram account, tap Create new account and follow the prompts.

Do I need a new email address for a second Instagram account?

Instagram's steps ask you to add a phone number or email, then tap Complete sign up. Instagram's pages don't say it has to be a different one.

How many Instagram accounts can be logged in at once?

Instagram says you can have up to 10 accounts logged in at one time.

Can I switch accounts without logging out?

Yes. Once you've added accounts, Instagram says you can switch between them without logging out and back in.

Must the new account use Accounts Center?

No. Instagram says you can tap Create password instead if you don't want to add the new profile to Accounts Center.