How to enable two-factor authentication on Instagram

To make your Instagram account, or any social media account, more secure, turning on two-factor authentication is one of the most effective things you can do right now. Even if someone finds out your Instagram password, they still won’t be able to log in. In this article, I’ll show you how to enable two-factor authentication on Instagram.

How does two-factor authentication on Instagram work?

With two-factor authentication turned on, Instagram asks you for a verification code every time you log in. You get this code on your phone via SMS, WhatsApp, or Google Authenticator, so only the person holding that phone can log in to the account.

How to enable two-factor authentication on Instagram

To enable two-factor authentication on Instagram, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the two-factor authentication settings. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon in the top right, then tap Accounts Center > Password and security > Two-factor authentication and select the Instagram account you want to protect (10/2026).

Note: The screenshots in this post were taken in 2021, when this option lived under Settings > Security. Since Meta moved Instagram and Facebook security settings into Accounts Center, the path has changed as shown above, but the methods and the setup steps inside are still similar.

Step 2: Tap Get Started and choose a method. There are three: WhatsApp, Authentication app, and Text message.

Two-factor authentication with Google Authenticator

The advantage of this method is that you can still get a code when your phone is offline. Learn how to use Google Authenticator and get it on the App Store or Google Play. Then follow these steps.

Step 1: Turn on Authentication app > tap Next > select Yes when Google Authenticator asks for confirmation.

Step 2: Touch and hold the code in Google Authenticator to copy it, then go back and paste it into Instagram. Tap Next to go to the final step.

Step 3: In case you switch to a new phone (or lose yours), copy these backup codes and keep them somewhere safe. Then tap Done to finish.

Two-factor authentication with SMS

Even if you have already set up Google Authenticator or WhatsApp, you should still turn on SMS as a backup.

Step 1: Turn on Text message. Within a minute, you will receive a text at the phone number saved in your account. Enter the code and tap Next.

Step 2: Copy and save these backup codes in case you can’t receive the text message when logging in.

Two-factor authentication with WhatsApp

If you use WhatsApp with the same phone number saved in your Instagram profile, you can get your codes through WhatsApp. Note that according to Instagram’s Help Center, you need to turn on the Text message method first before you can turn on WhatsApp.

Step 1: Turn on WhatsApp as your authentication method.

Step 2: You will receive a WhatsApp message with a code. Paste it into Instagram to finish. This method doesn’t come with backup codes.

How to turn off two-factor authentication on Instagram

Fashion, beauty, and cosmetics shops, and other businesses on Instagram, often share one account with staff so they can post and answer customers. In that case, two-factor authentication can be a hassle for managers.

To turn off two-factor authentication on Instagram, go to Accounts Center > Password and security > Two-factor authentication, then select the Instagram account.

Turn off the methods you no longer want and select Turn Off or Remove.

What to do if you don't receive the Instagram verification code

If you can’t log in to Instagram because the code never arrives, and you really are the account owner, try the methods below.

1. Use your backup codes.
   This is why I reminded you to copy and save the backup codes when you turned on two-factor authentication. If you saved them, dig them out and use one to log in to Instagram.
2. Use the login link.
   Use the reset Instagram password steps to get a login link sent to the phone number or email saved in your Instagram account. Just open the link and Instagram will log you in automatically.

Things to keep in mind when logging in to Instagram

1. Be careful when saving to trusted devices.
   A trusted device won’t be asked for a code the next time you log in. If you are signing in on your own device, select “Trust”. If you are using someone else’s device, select “No”.
2. Keep the phone number in your Instagram account up to date.
   Only the phone number saved in your account receives codes by text message. If you change your number, don’t forget to update it in your Instagram account.
3. Add at least 2 authentication methods.
   Every method can fail in some situation, so set up at least two to be safe.

Conclusion

It’s not just Instagram: almost every social network offers two-factor authentication. To keep all your social media accounts safe, turn it on for each of them. If you found this article useful or need any help, feel free to leave a comment below.