How to Change Your Instagram Phone Number or Email in 2026
Updating your Instagram contact info takes less than 2 minutes in the app. Whether you need to swap to a new phone number, update your email, or both — this guide has the exact steps for iOS and Android, plus how to handle verification failures, account recovery best practices, and what to do when you've lost access to both contact methods.
2 min
to update phone or email in the app
6-digit
SMS code sent to confirm new number
Both
phone AND email can be changed anytime
24 hrs
before email verification link expires
Change Phone Number on Instagram (iOS & Android)
Instagram routes all contact info changes through Meta's Accounts Center since the Facebook/Instagram unification. The steps are the same on both iOS and Android, though the exact button placement may differ slightly by app version.
Open the Instagram app
Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner to go to your profile page.
Tap the hamburger menu (☰)
Find it in the top right corner, then tap "Settings and privacy" from the menu that appears.
Tap "Accounts Center"
Scroll down to find Accounts Center, then tap "Personal details" inside it.
Tap "Contact info"
You will see your current email and phone number listed here. Tap to manage them.
Tap "Phone number"
Tap the existing number to edit it, or tap "Add phone number" if none is linked yet.
Enter your new number
Type the full phone number including the country code (e.g. +1 for US, +44 for UK).
Enter the verification code
Instagram sends a 6-digit code to the new number via SMS. Enter it within a few minutes to confirm the change.
Accounts Center Note
If you see "Settings" instead of "Accounts Center," your app may be outdated. Update Instagram to the latest version — Meta unified account management into Accounts Center for all users starting in 2023–2024.
Change Email Address on Instagram
Email is your most reliable recovery method and login option. Instagram requires a verified email to enable two-factor authentication via email, and it is used for all security notifications. Keep it current whenever you change email providers or abandon an old address.
Go to Profile then Settings and privacy
Tap your profile icon, then the hamburger menu, then "Settings and privacy."
Open Accounts Center
Tap "Accounts Center" then "Personal details" then "Contact info."
Tap "Email address"
Tap your current email address to edit it, or "Add email address" if none exists.
Enter your new email
Type the full email address you want to link. Make sure you have access to this inbox right now.
Check your inbox and verify
Instagram sends a verification link to the new email. Click the link within 24 hours to confirm.
Old email is replaced automatically
Once you verify the new email, the old one is removed from your account. You can also manually remove the old one before verifying.
Keep both email and phone number updated
Change Contact Info via Instagram Website (Desktop)
If the app is acting up or you prefer desktop, all contact info changes can be made from instagram.com. The interface is slightly different but the underlying process is identical.
Go to instagram.com and sign in
Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the homepage.
Navigate to Settings
Click the settings gear or "More" in the left sidebar, then choose "Settings."
Open Accounts Center
Find Accounts Center in the Settings menu, then click "Personal details."
Click "Contact info"
You will see the same email and phone number options as in the mobile app.
Update your details
Same process as mobile — verify via SMS code for phone, or verification link sent to new email.
Check your inbox promptly
Email verification links expire after 24 hours. If you miss it, return to Contact info and request a new link.
Meta Accounts Center replaced old Instagram Settings
Mobile vs Desktop — Key Differences
| Item | Instagram Mobile App | Instagram Website (Desktop) |
|---|---|---|
| Where to start | Profile → ☰ → Settings and privacy | Profile icon → Settings gear |
| Accounts Center access | Directly in Settings and privacy menu | Listed in Settings sidebar |
| SMS verification | Code appears as notification on same device | Check SMS on your phone separately |
| Email verification | Click link from any device | Click link from any device |
| Best for | Fastest — everything in one place | Better when app crashes or loads slowly |
| App update required | Yes — must be on latest version | No update needed — always current |
Troubleshooting: Verification Code Not Received
The most common issue people face is the SMS verification code not arriving. Here is what to check before giving up:
Wrong country code
Always include the full country code (+1 for US, +44 for UK, +91 for India, etc.). Missing it means the SMS goes to a completely different number in a different country.
Carrier blocking short codes
Some mobile carriers block short-code SMS by default (the type Instagram uses). Contact your carrier and ask them to enable short-code SMS delivery on your account.
Try "Call me instead"
Instagram offers a voice call option that reads the code aloud. Use this if SMS repeatedly fails — it uses a different delivery path and often succeeds when SMS does not.
VoIP numbers are blocked
Google Voice, Skype, TextNow, and other VoIP services are blocked by Instagram for verification. You need a real carrier SIM from a mobile network operator.
Check spam and junk for email
Instagram verification emails sometimes end up in spam. Search your entire mailbox for "Instagram" or "noreply@mail.instagram.com" across all folders including Promotions.
Rate limit — wait and retry
There is a rate limit on verification attempts. If you have tried multiple times in a row, wait 10 to 15 minutes before requesting another code. Repeated tries can trigger a temporary block.
SIM swap or ported number
If you recently ported your number to a new carrier, SMS may route to the old carrier for up to 24 hours. Wait a day or try the voice call option instead.
International roaming
If you are traveling abroad, your home carrier may block incoming short-code SMS from foreign senders. Switch to local SIM or use email verification instead.
Security Implications of Changing Contact Info
Changing your phone number or email is not just a convenience task — it has direct security consequences. Instagram uses these contact methods for more than just login:
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
If you use SMS-based 2FA and change your number without updating 2FA settings, you will be locked out at your next login from a new device. Update 2FA immediately after changing your phone number.
Login security notifications
All security alerts (new login detected, suspicious activity, new device added) go to your email address. An outdated email means you are flying blind on account security events.
Account recovery path
If your account gets hacked or you forget your password, Instagram sends recovery codes and reset links to your registered contact info. Outdated info means no recovery path exists.
Identity verification for appeals
For appeal processes (suspended accounts, verification badge requests, age verification), Instagram may require you to verify your identity via your registered contact info.
Trusted devices linked to contact
Some trusted device authorizations are tied to your phone number. Changing it may prompt re-authorization on devices you use regularly.
Meta account sync
Since Instagram and Facebook share Accounts Center, changing your phone number or email also updates it across all Meta services linked to your account (Messenger, WhatsApp if linked).
After changing your phone number: update 2FA immediately
What Happens If You Cannot Access Your Old Email or Phone Number?
Lost access to both the email AND phone number linked to your account? This is the hardest Instagram account recovery scenario. Meta provides several fallback options, but none are guaranteed:
Try the "Need more help?" flow first
On the login screen, tap "Forgot password" then enter your username, then tap "Need more help?" at the bottom. This leads to alternative verification paths.
Video selfie verification
Instagram may ask you to record a short video selfie to compare against your profile photos. This works best on accounts with many real photos posted over time. Follow the prompts exactly.
Submit a government ID
For accounts tied to your real name, you can submit a government-issued photo ID through Instagram support. Processing is not guaranteed and can take days to weeks with no status updates.
Email-based recovery with old address
If you can still access the old email inbox (even if you no longer use it as your primary), use the forgot password flow. Instagram sends a link there that lets you reset and update contact info.
Contact Meta support directly
For business or creator accounts, Meta Business Support offers more direct help. File a support ticket with as much account ownership proof as possible including original creation date and device details.
Prevention is the only reliable fix
None of these recovery paths are reliable. The only real solution is to keep at least one working contact method linked before you need it. Update immediately when you change numbers or emails.
Recovery Reality
Instagram support does not have a live chat or phone number for account recovery. All recovery happens through automated in-app flows or email ticket systems. There is no guaranteed path to recover an account when both contact methods are inaccessible.
Best Practices for Keeping Your Account Secure
Use an authenticator app for 2FA
Google Authenticator, Authy, or any TOTP-based app is much more secure than SMS 2FA. It also survives a phone number change without locking you out.
Save login codes
When you enable 2FA, Instagram gives you backup login codes. Save these in a password manager or secure note. They work when you cannot receive an SMS or open your authenticator app.
Link a Facebook account
Having a linked Facebook account gives you an additional login and recovery path if Instagram account access is lost. Set it up in Accounts Center.
Update contact info before canceling services
When you cancel a phone plan or close an email account, update Instagram first. Do not wait until the old method stops working.
Use a dedicated email for accounts
A separate email address used only for account registrations (not your daily inbox) is less likely to be compromised and easier to monitor for security alerts.
Review trusted devices periodically
In Settings and privacy → Security → Login activity, review which devices are logged into your account. Remove any you do not recognize.