How to Add an Account on Instagram

Juggling more than one Instagram account doesn't have to feel like a high-wire act. In fact, adding, switching, and managing multiple profiles is built directly into the app - you just have to know where to look. This guide breaks down exactly how to add multiple accounts to your app, switch between them instantly, and manage them all without mixing up your personal weekend photos with your professional brand posts.

Why You Need Multiple Instagram Accounts (And How to Juggle Them Like a Pro)

Before jumping into the "how," let's quickly cover the "why." For creators, entrepreneurs, and marketers, managing separate accounts isn't a luxury, it's a strategic necessity. Having distinct profiles allows you to tailor your content, voice, and audience engagement for different goals. Think about it - the casual, behind-the-scenes tone you use on your personal account won't fly on a corporate client's feed. Similarly, the polished, professional content for your business might not fit the vibe of a passion-project account for your photography hobby.

Common scenarios for needing multiple accounts include:

• Personal vs. Business: This is the most common split. You maintain a private or personal profile for friends and family, and a separate public-facing business account to promote your brand, products, or services.
• Managing Multiple Brands: If you're a freelancer, agency, or entrepreneur with several businesses, each one needs its own dedicated Instagram presence to build a unique community and brand identity.
• Client Management: Social media managers live and breathe the multi-account life. Having direct access to client accounts from their own devices is non-negotiable for real-time engagement and content posting.
• Niche or Hobby Accounts: You might be running a successful business but also want to build a community around a personal passion, like vintage fashion, gardening, or travel. A separate account keeps your audiences distinct and your content focused.

The good news is that Instagram simplifies this management by letting you add up to five accounts to a single device, making it easy to swap between them without constantly logging in and out.

How to Add an Additional Instagram Account: The Quick and Easy Way

Whether you've already created a second account or need to make one from scratch, you can do it all from within the Instagram app. The process is nearly identical for both iPhone and Android users. Follow these simple steps to link your profiles.

Adding an Existing Account You Already Own

If you have another Instagram account with its own username and password, you can link it to your primary app in less than a minute. This is the perfect option for consolidating your personal, business, or client accounts onto one phone.

1. Navigate to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Tap on your username at the top of the screen. A new menu will pop up showing any accounts you've already added.
3. At the bottom of this menu, tap on Add Account.
4. Select Log into Existing Account from the two options that appear.
5. Enter the username and password for the account you want to add and tap Log In.

And that's it! The account is now added to your app. You'll see its profile picture in the switcher menu, ready for you to access at any time.

Creating a New Account from Scratch

What if you need to spin up a new account for a passion project or a new business venture? You don't have to log out and start over. You can create a brand-new professional or personal account right from your existing profile.

1. Go to your profile page by tapping your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap your username at the top of the page.
3. When the pop-up menu appears, select Add Account.
4. This time, choose Create New Account.
5. Instagram will walk you through the standard setup process. You'll need to choose a unique username. The app will confirm if your choice is available.
6. Next, you'll create a password. Instagram may offer to save your login info with your primary account for easier access.
7. You'll then have the option to complete the signup by connecting it to the phone number or email associated with your main account, or you can add a new one.
8. Follow the remaining on-screen prompts to add a profile picture, write a bio, and find new people to follow. Your new account will automatically be added to your account switcher.

Once created, you can also easily switch this new account to a Professional Account (Creator or Business) by going to Settings and privacy >, Account type and tools >, Switch to Professional Account.

Mastering the Switch: How to Seamlessly Swap Between Your Instagram Profiles

Once you've added your accounts, switching between them is incredibly fast. Instagram gives you two main ways to do it, and you'll likely find one you prefer for day-to-day use.

Method 1: The Profile Switcher (The Long-Press Trick)
This is the fastest method and a favorite of seasoned social media managers. Simply press and hold the profile picture icon in the bottom-right corner. After a second, a menu containing all your linked accounts will pop up. Just tap the one you want to switch to.

Method 2: The Username Tap
From your profile screen, tap your username at the very top. This will also reveal the drop-down list of all your linked accounts. Tap the desired profile to instantly swap over.

Both methods take you directly to the profile you select. You'll be able to see that account's feed, stories, DMs, and notifications as if you were logged in natively.

PRO TIPS: Staying Sane While Managing Multiple Instagram Accounts

Adding accounts is easy. Managing them effectively without making a critical error - like posting a selfie to your corporate client's feed - takes a bit more mindfulness. Here are some pro tips to keep your digital lives separate and organized.

1. Use Distinct Profile Pictures for Visual Cues

Your brain processes images faster than text. Using visibly different profile pictures for each account is the simplest and most effective way to prevent mix-ups. Even if they are all brand logos, use versions with different colors or backgrounds. When you glance at the little bubble in the corner before posting a Reel or Story, that immediate visual confirmation can save you from a major blunder.

2. Customize Your Push Notifications by Account

An endless stream of notifications from five different accounts is a recipe for burnout. Be strategic. Go into your Settings and privacy >, Notifications for each account and customize what you see. For a business account, you might need real-time alerts for DMs and comments. For a personal account, you might only care about notifications from people you know. You can even pause all notifications for less-critical accounts to reduce noise.

3. The Golden Rule: Double-Check Before You Post

It sounds obvious, but it’s the most common mistake. Before hitting "Share" on a post, Reel, or Story, always glance at the profile picture icon in the corner of the screen. This tiny little circle tells you which account you’re currently active on. Make it a reflex. That two-second check can be the difference between a great post and an embarrassing apology message to a client.

4. Create a Separate Content Calendar for Each Account

Juggling different posting schedules, brand voices, and hashtag strategies in your head is impossible. A simple content calendar - even a basic spreadsheet - can help you plan what's going live on each account and when. This not only keeps you organized but also ensures each profile maintains its unique voice and content strategy. You’ll stop wondering, “Did I remember to post for Brand X today?” because you'll have a clear plan mapped out.

What's the Limit? How Many Instagram Accounts Can You Add?

Instagram currently lets you add and switch between up to five accounts at a time within the app. For most creators and small business owners, this is plenty. You can have a personal account, a business profile, a side-hustle account, and still have room for more.

If you're a social media manager or an agency professional who manages more than five accounts, the native app's limitation becomes a workflow bottleneck. In that scenario, you would have to log out of one account to log into another, which is a slow and clunky process that interrupts your rhythm. For professionals managing a larger portfolio of clients, this is where dedicated social media management tools become indispensable for handling content and engagement at scale without the constant logging in and out.

Final Thoughts

Adding and managing multiple Instagram profiles is a straightforward process once you know the steps. From linking an existing profile to creating a new one on the fly, you have the flexibility to control your diverse social portfolio directly from the app and tailor your strategy for each unique audience.

As we manage multiple brands ourselves, we know how easy it is to make a mistake when switching between apps or trying to schedule content manually. That’s why we built Postbase. It brings all of your accounts - from Instagram to TikTok - into one beautiful calendar and a single unified inbox, so you can plan, schedule, engage, and analyze your performance without ever worrying about posting to the wrong profile again.