How to Get Into an Old Instagram Account

Forgetting how to get into an old Instagram account can feel like losing a box of photos or a journal you once filled with memories. Whether you've just misplaced your password or you've lost the email and phone number you originally used, the good news is that you have options. This guide will walk you through every method you can use to reclaim your old profile, from a simple password reset to identity verification with Instagram's support team.

First Things First: Gathering Your Recovery Clues

Before you start any recovery process, take a moment to gather any information you might remember about the account. The more you know, the easier this will be. Instagram relies on a few key pieces of information to verify you are the real owner. Even if you don't have all of them, knowing one can be enough to get you started.

Try to find or remember:

• The email address you used to sign up. Check old email accounts if you're not sure. Search your inbox for emails from security@mail.instagram.com to see which address received them.
• The phone number linked to the account. Did you have an old number you used for registration?
• The exact username of the account. It has to be precise, as even a small typo will lead nowhere. If you don't remember it, ask a friend who follows the account to tell you exactly how it's spelled.
• Your Facebook account, if you ever linked it to your Instagram profile. Many people forget they did this, and it can be the fastest way back in.

Once you have at least one of these clues, you’re ready to begin the recovery process.

The Easiest Path: Resetting Your Password with a Username, Email, or Phone Number

This is the most common and straightforward method. It works if you've forgotten your password but still have access to the email or phone number associated with the account. If this is you, you're just a few steps away from getting back in.

How to Reset Your Password

Follow these steps from the Instagram login screen on your phone or computer:

1. Open the Instagram app or go to Instagram.com.
2. On the login page, tap or click on the "Forgot password?" link (on mobile) or "Forgot Password?" (on desktop).
3. You'll be taken to a screen where you can enter your username, email, or a phone number. Enter whichever piece of information you have.
4. Tap "Send login link."

From here, Instagram will send recovery instructions to the corresponding contact method.

If You Use Your Username or Email:

Instagram will send a password reset email to the address linked with your account. Open your email inbox and look for a message from Instagram. Inside, you'll find a link to log directly into your account or a button to create a new password. Make sure to choose a strong, unique password this time that you won't forget.

If You Use Your Phone Number:

You’ll receive a text message (SMS) from Instagram containing a link. Tap the link, and it will take you directly to a page where you can create a new password or sometimes log you straight into the app. This method is incredibly fast if you have access to your old number.

If You Linked Your Facebook Account:

If you originally set up your Instagram account via Facebook or linked them at some point, you might see an option to "Log in with Facebook." Go back to the main login screen and try this. If your accounts are still connected, it will bypass the regular password screen and log you in automatically.

What If You've Lost Access to Your Email and Phone?

This is where things get a bit trickier, but don't lose hope. This is a common situation for very old accounts. If the email address you used is one you can no longer access and the phone number is out of service, a standard password reset won't work. Your only remaining option is to prove your identity directly to Instagram.

Using Instagram's Identity Verification Process

This method is designed for situations just like this. It involves asking Instagram for manual support and proving you are the person in the photos on the account.

Here’s how to start the process:

1. On the Instagram login screen, tap "Forgot password?".
2. Enter your username, email, or phone number and tap "Next."
3. Since you can't access any of the options shown, look for a link that says "Can't reset your password?" or "Need more help?" Tap it.
4. This should take you to a "Request Support" or "Help Us Confirm It's You" screen. Instagram will ask you some security questions. For instance, it might ask about the email you used or the type of account it is (personal, brand, etc.).
5. On the support page, make sure to select the option that says, "I can't access this email or phone number."
6. Instagram will then guide you through the next steps. Most likely, they will ask you to perform a video selfie verification.

What is a Video Selfie and How Does It Work?

A video selfie is Instagram's way of using facial recognition to confirm your identity. It's meant to match your face with photos that have been posted on your profile. A lot of people are intimidated by this, but it’s a pretty simple process.

• Instagram will ask you to record a short video of yourself turning your head to the left, right, up, and down. This helps them capture a 3D view of your facial features.
• This video is only used for identity verification and is never shared on your profile. Instagram says they delete it within 30 days.

To successfully complete the video selfie:

• Find a well-lit room. Avoid strong backlighting or shadows that obscure your face. Natural light is best.
• Remove anything covering your face, like a hat or sunglasses.
• Follow the on-screen instructions closely and move your head slowly and clearly in the directions it asks.

After you submit your video selfie, Instagram's team will review it. If your face successfully matches photos on your account, they will send a password reset link to a new, secure email address that you provide. This review process can take several business days, so be patient.

Note: This method works best for accounts that have clear photos of you. If your old account was for a pet, a brand, or only contained landscapes, the video selfie method won't work. In that case, Instagram might ask for other information, like the device you used to create the account or the exact sign-up date, which can be much harder to provide.

Recovering a Hacked Account

If you suspect your old account was taken over by someone else, time is of the essence. Hackers will usually change your password and the email address associated with the account, locking you out entirely. Here’s what to do immediately.

1. Check Your Email Immediately: The first thing a hacker typically does is change your recovery email. Instagram sends an automatic security notification from the email address security@mail.instagram.com to your original email when this change is made. The subject line will be something like "Email Changed on Your Instagram Account." Find this email. It's your golden ticket back in.
2. Revert the Change: Inside that email, there should be a special link that says "revert this change" or "secure your account here." Clicking this link can sometimes instantly reverse the hacker's actions and allow you to secure your account again.
3. Request a Login Link: If you can’t find that email, follow the "Forgot password?" process. On the password reset screen, select "Need more help?" and then choose the option for "My account was hacked."
4. Follow the Prompts: Instagram will guide you through a specialized recovery process for hacked accounts. This will almost certainly involve the video selfie verification mentioned earlier to prove you are the rightful owner.

Once you regain access, you absolutely must secure your account properly. Immediately change your password to something long and unique, and most importantly, enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA requires a code from your phone in addition to your password, making it significantly harder for anyone to hack you again.

When You've Tried Everything and Still Can't Get In

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, an account may be permanently lost. This can happen if you can't provide enough information to prove ownership, especially if the account had no personal photos for the video selfie verification. It's frustrating, but it's important to understand the realities.

Be wary of third-party recovery services. You might see websites or individuals online claiming they can hack back into your account for a fee. These are almost always scams. They will take your money and may steal your personal information in the process. Never share your passwords or personal details with anyone claiming they can help. The only legitimate way to recover your account is through Instagram's official support channels.

If all official methods have failed, your best move might be to start over. It's not the answer you wanted, but it gives you a clean slate. You can create a new account and, if possible, have a friend with access to your old followers list so you can re-follow and connect with them once more.

Final Thoughts

Getting back into an old Instagram account is totally possible, whether you’ve just forgotten a password or feared it was lost forever. By following the standard reset procedures or using Instagram’s identity verification tools, you stand a good chance of reclaiming your old photos, messages, and memories. Be patient, provide as much information as you can, and follow the steps carefully.

Once you reclaim your profile and are ready to start posting again, managing your new content can feel like another challenge. At Postbase, we built a tool to make that part easier. Our visual calendar lets you plan and schedule your posts, Reels, and Stories across all your platforms from one simple dashboard, so you can focus on creating instead of juggling apps. It keeps everything reliable and straightforward - exactly what you need after the headache of an account recovery.