Can’t Create an Instagram Account? “Already Exists”, Age and Sign-Up Fixes

Meta says to double-check the login information you entered if you’re told an account with your email or phone number already exists, and that one email address can be used for up to 5 Instagram accounts.

1. Check the email address or phone number you typed is correct.
2. If it’s right and you made an account with it before, log in to that account instead. Forgot the password? See can’t log in to Instagram.
3. If that email is already on 5 Instagram accounts (Meta’s limit), our tip: use a different email address for the new one.

Meta says that if someone tries to use your email address to log in to your Instagram account or create a new account, you’ll get an email about it. If you didn’t do it, see Instagram hacked.

These are Meta’s steps for creating a new account in the Instagram app.

1. Download Instagram from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), then open it.
2. Tap Create New Account, enter your email address or mobile number, then tap Next.
3. Enter the confirmation code sent to your email or phone, then tap Next.
4. Create a password, enter your birthday, add your name and create a username, tapping Next after each.
5. Read Instagram’s terms and policies and tap I agree if you agree.
6. Add a profile picture and tap Next (or tap Skip). To share it as your first post, turn that on, then tap Done.

Meta says to type your email carefully and choose one only you can access: if you log out and forget your password, you’ll need it to get back in. Meta also says people may see that your account is new, and you may be asked to save your login info.

Meta says Instagram usernames are given on a first-come, first-served basis and can’t be reserved.

1. If the account using it seems inactive, Meta suggests choosing an available version of the username.
2. Add full stops (periods), numbers, underscores or abbreviations to find one that isn’t in use.
3. If someone is using your trademark as a username in a way that may mislead people, Meta says you can report a username that violates your trademark through its trademark reporting.

Meta says that if an account reaches a lot of people, a username change may need to be reviewed; otherwise it changes straight away if it’s available, and followers may be notified.

Meta says that if you get an email about a new Instagram account made with your email address and you didn’t create it, it’s likely someone used your email by mistake.

1. Open the “Welcome to Instagram” email.
2. At the bottom, click or tap Let us know.
3. Fill in the form and submit it to have your email address removed from that account.

If the email is about your own account being logged in to or changed, see Instagram hacked instead.

Meta says it asks everyone for their birthday to help make sure underage people aren’t using Instagram, and to provide age-appropriate, safer experiences.

1. Enter your own birthday, even if the account is for a business, pet, hobby or brand.
2. Your birthday isn’t shown on your profile, even if your account is public. You can choose to let people know when it’s your birthday.
3. You must be at least 13 to have an account in most countries. Meta’s account help says accounts for people under 18 are private by default, and teens under 16 need a parent’s or guardian’s permission to switch to public. (Meta’s birthday page gives an older rule: under 16, or under 18 in some countries.)

Entered the wrong date? See correct your birthday below.

Meta says you’ll see this if your account is under review for being under 13, or the birthday you added is under 13, and that the account will be removed. If you think it’s a mistake, you can appeal.

1. Tap Appeal at the bottom of the message.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions and submit a valid ID.
3. Wait for the review. Meta says it may take up to 30 days, and if it finds it made a mistake, it will let you know and restore your account.

Only appeal if the decision is wrong. Meta says to report accounts that belong to someone under 13 (external site, opens in a new tab).

Meta says you can use an existing Facebook or Instagram account to create a new Instagram account; both are added to the same Accounts Center.

1. Open the Instagram app. If your Facebook account shows, tap Continue as [name], or tap Create new account.
2. To use Facebook, tap Yes, continue, then Next to sync your name, profile picture and avatar (log in to Facebook if asked).
3. Or tap Continue without Facebook.
4. Create a username, tap Next, then read the terms and tap I agree if you agree.

Meta says an Instagram account created with Facebook uses the same login information as Facebook. You can manage profile syncing in Accounts Center at any time.