How to create a second Instagram account

Posted by

Lara Bakker

September 13, 2026

On September 13, 2026

You can create a second Instagram account right in the Instagram app. You do not need to log out each time because Instagram lets you add multiple accounts and quickly switch between profiles. This is helpful if you want to keep your work and personal life separate, create an extra account for a hobby, or use Instagram more privately.

Here is the most important thing to know before you begin: give your second account its own username, choose a secure password, and preferably use a separate email address or phone number. This makes it much easier to recover the account later if you are ever unable to log in.

How do you create a second Instagram account?
How do you switch between multiple Instagram accounts?
How can you use Instagram anonymously?
How do you delete a second Instagram account?

Why create a second Instagram account?

An extra Instagram account is especially useful when you do not want everything mixed together. For each account, you can decide whom you follow, what you post, which notifications you receive, and how recognizable you want to be.

Keep your work and personal life separate

Do you use Instagram for your business, online store, freelance work, or personal brand? If so, a separate business account is often much easier to manage. Your business content stays separate from vacation photos, family pictures, and personal stories.

A business or professional account can also be useful because it may give you access to additional features, such as insights, contact buttons, and advertising options. These features help you see which posts perform well and present your profile more clearly to customers or followers.

Create a smaller private account

Some people have a public account but also want a smaller private account for friends and family. This may feel more comfortable if you only want to share personal photos with a limited group.

A private account is also helpful if you want a calmer feed. You can use it to follow only people you actually know, while keeping your main account more open to acquaintances, customers, or a larger audience.

Use Instagram anonymously or be less recognizable

Do you want to browse Instagram without displaying your real name, profile picture, or main account? You can create a second account with less recognizable details. Just remember that being anonymous does not mean being invisible. If you view a story, like something, or leave a comment, the other person can often still see your account name.

If you want to make your account harder to connect to you, pay attention to Instagram suggestions as well. Accounts can sometimes become recognizable through contacts, mutual followers, and profile activity. You can learn more in our guide to turning off suggestions for you on Instagram.

Start a theme account

Many people create a second account for one specific topic. Examples include photography, fitness, travel, recipes, memes, fan content, quotes, or pets. This often works better than putting everything on one profile because followers immediately know what to expect.

Photography account: share only your best photos and edits.
Hobby account: focus on something such as sports, gaming, books, or plants.
Fan page: share content about an artist, team, series, or community.
Inspiration account: post quotes, mood boards, lifestyle ideas, or tips.

How do you create a second Instagram account?

You can create a second Instagram account using the app on iPhone and Android. The exact button names may sometimes be slightly different because Instagram regularly updates the app, but the steps are generally very similar.

Step by step in the Instagram app

Open the Instagram app on your phone.
Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to open your profile.
Tap your username at the top, or open the menu using the three lines in the top right.
Select Add account.
Select Create new account if you want to make a completely new profile.
Choose a username for your second account.
Create a strong password.
Add an email address or phone number if Instagram requests one.
Follow the instructions on the screen to confirm your account.

Is your second account ready? You can immediately add a profile picture, a bio, and possibly a link. If you want to keep the account private, it is best to set that up right away, before following people or posting content.

Add an existing account to your Instagram app

Do you already have a second account that is not in your app yet? You do not need to create another profile. Add the existing account instead:

Open Instagram and go to your profile.
Tap your username at the top of your profile.
Tap Add account.
Select Log into existing account.
Log in using the username, email address or phone number, and password for that account.

Instagram also provides an official help page about adding and switching accounts. You can access it through Instagram help for multiple accounts.

Do you need a new email address?

In most cases, each Instagram account needs its own email address or phone number. If Instagram says an email address is already in use, try another email address or a different phone number.

These are the safest options:

A separate email address: useful for work, a brand, or an important second account.
A second phone number: may be useful if you would rather not create an extra email address.
An email alias: some email providers let you use an alias, such as one with a plus sign in Gmail. This does not work the same way everywhere, so check whether Instagram accepts it.

Temporary email addresses may seem convenient, but they are not a wise choice for accounts you want to keep. If you forget your password later or Instagram asks for confirmation, you may no longer be able to access that temporary address. A permanent email address is much safer for an account you invest time in.

What should you enter as your name, username, and bio?

Your name and username affect how easily people can recognize you. You can use your real name for a private account, but a general name is better for a more anonymous account. For a business account, being recognizable is actually important.

Type of second account	Useful choice	What to consider
Business account	Brand name, company name, or clear niche	Make it immediately clear what you offer or share.
Private account	Your name or nickname	Set the account to private if you do not want everyone to be able to view it.
More anonymous account	General username without your real name	Avoid using a recognizable photo, bio, or linked contacts if you want to be less recognizable.
Theme account	Name that matches the topic	Keep your content clearly focused on a single theme.

How do you switch between multiple Instagram accounts?

After adding multiple accounts to the Instagram app, you can switch quickly without logging out. This makes it easy to use your private account and business account side by side, for example.

How to switch accounts

Open Instagram.
Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right.
Tap your username at the top.
Select the account you want to use.

You will immediately become active on that account. Always take a moment to check which account is open before posting a story, liking a post, or leaving a comment. Using the wrong account is one of the most common mistakes people make when managing multiple accounts.

How many Instagram accounts can you manage at once?

Instagram lets you add multiple accounts to the same app. A limit of five accounts is often mentioned. If you manage more accounts, you may need to log out of one, use a second device, or work through a browser.

For everyday use, five accounts is usually more than enough. You might have one private account, one business account, one theme account, and perhaps a test account.

Do you receive notifications from all accounts?

You can receive notifications from the accounts you have added. These may include likes, comments, follow requests, direct messages, and notifications from Instagram itself. This can be useful, but it can also become overwhelming quickly.

If you want fewer interruptions, adjust the notifications for each account:

Go to the account whose notifications you want to change.
Open your profile.
Tap the menu with the three lines.
Go to Settings and privacy.
Select Notifications.
Turn off anything you do not need.

For example, on a more anonymous or less important account, you can leave direct message notifications on while turning off likes and suggestions.

Avoid posting from the wrong account

This happens more often than you might think. You may believe you are using your private account but accidentally post something on your business profile. Or you might reply using an anonymous account when you intended to use your main account.

A few simple habits can make a big difference:

Always check your profile picture in the bottom right before posting.
Use clearly different profile pictures for each account.
Give your accounts recognizable names, even if those names are only meaningful to you.
Turn off notifications for less important accounts so you are less likely to switch in a hurry.
Always confirm the account before tapping share on a story.

How can you use Instagram anonymously?

You can use Instagram in a less recognizable way, but not everything is anonymous. For instance, Instagram does not show who views your profile, but it does show story viewers. It is therefore important to understand which actions leave traces.

Can someone see that you viewed their profile?

No. Instagram does not send someone a notification when you view their profile. Under normal circumstances, they cannot see that you visited it.

However, they may notice if you interact with them. Examples include a like, comment, follow request, or message. Even if you tap something accidentally, a notification may appear briefly.

Can someone see that you viewed their story?

Yes. If you view an Instagram story while logged in, your account will appear in the viewer list for that story. This also applies when you do not follow the person, as long as you can view the story.

If you do not want your main account to appear among story viewers, using a second account is the simplest option. Choose an account that is not directly recognizable, and make sure it does not use a recognizable name, photo, or bio.

Many tricks circulate online, such as using airplane mode or external websites. Be cautious with them. These tricks do not always work, may change, and external tools can be unsafe for your account or privacy. Never enter your Instagram login details on an unfamiliar website.

Can you browse someone’s posts anonymously?

Yes, you can browse public posts without the owner seeing that you viewed them. Instagram does not provide a list of profile visitors or post viewers for regular feed posts.

However, these actions are not anonymous:

Liking a post.
Leaving a comment.
Following someone.
Sending a direct message.
Viewing a story.

Saving a post works differently. The owner normally cannot see which person saved it. Professional accounts may sometimes show general insights, such as how often a post was saved, but not the names of the people who saved it.

What happens if you accidentally like a post?

If you accidentally like a post and immediately remove the like, the other person may still have received a notification. That notification sometimes disappears quickly, but you cannot depend on this.

The safest approach is straightforward: scroll carefully, avoid double tapping photos, and use a second account if you do not want your main account to become visible. An unexpected like can be particularly noticeable on an older post.

How do you make your second account less recognizable?

If you use a second account for greater privacy, consider more than your username. Instagram can show people suggestions based on factors such as contacts, mutual followers, and account activity. The exact way Instagram determines suggestions changes regularly. You can also find a general explanation of how Instagram ranks content and suggestions in Hootsuite’s guide to the Instagram algorithm.

If you want to be less recognizable, these choices can help:

Do not include your real name in your username or profile name.
Do not use a recognizable profile picture.
Do not include personal information in your bio.
Preferably, do not connect your contacts if you do not want people you know to find you.
Do not immediately follow all your friends and family because this makes the account more recognizable.
Review your privacy settings before becoming active.

You are never completely invisible on Instagram. Use the account respectfully and be considerate of others. A second account is useful for privacy and organization, not for bothering people or avoiding rules.

Using a second account for growth or a brand

If your second account is for a business, creator profile, or theme page, begin with a clear foundation. Add a recognizable profile picture, a short bio, and a few strong posts before actively following people or promoting the account.

An empty profile can seem less trustworthy. Start by publishing a few posts or reels that show what your account is about. These could include a short introduction, examples of your work, frequently asked questions, customer photos if you have permission to use them, or clear tips related to your topic.

If you want additional support for your Instagram profile, you can explore the Instagram services on SocialKings. For a new or business account, some users choose to buy Instagram followers to give their profile more presence, or buy Instagram likes when they want to add more social proof to existing posts. Always use this as support alongside good content, rather than as a replacement for it.

Can you tell if someone has multiple Instagram accounts?

Instagram does not clearly indicate whether someone has multiple accounts. You may sometimes suspect that they do, but you usually cannot know for certain unless the person tells you.

There are a few signs that people sometimes notice:

Similar usernames: for instance, the same name with an extra word or number.
The same profile picture or style: some people use recognizable images or the same bio.
Overlapping followers: a second account often follows the same friends or contacts.
Suggestions for you: Instagram may suggest accounts that could belong to the same person or social circle.
Frequent interaction between two accounts: for example, the same likes or comments appearing repeatedly.

Even so, this is still guesswork. Instagram does not provide a public list of every account someone manages. Respect their privacy and avoid drawing conclusions too quickly.

Can I create a second Instagram account without a new email address?

Instagram may sometimes ask for another email address or phone number, especially if your current email address is already linked to an account. The safest option is to use a separate email address for each account.

If you would rather not create a new email address, you can try these options:

Use a phone number: if Instagram accepts it for your new account.
Use an email alias: some email providers support aliases, but they do not always work in the same way.
Create a new free email address: this is often the most reliable option for recovering the account later.

It is best not to use a temporary email address for an account you plan to keep using. If you later need to confirm that the account belongs to you, this may create problems.

How do you delete a second Instagram account?

Do you want to remove your second account? You have two options: temporarily deactivate it or permanently delete it. Temporary deactivation is useful when you want to take a break. Permanent deletion is final.

Remove a second account from your app without deleting it

Do you only want to stop being logged in to the account while keeping the account itself? Simply log out of that account.

Go to the account you want to remove from the app.
Open your profile.
Tap the menu with the three lines.
Go to Settings and privacy.
Scroll to the option for logging out.
Choose whether you want to log out of only this account.

The account will continue to exist. You can log in again later using your username and password.

Temporarily deactivate an Instagram account

When you temporarily deactivate an account, your profile remains hidden until you log in again. Your photos, comments, and likes are not visible while the account is deactivated.

The exact route may vary by device, but you will usually do this through Instagram in a browser or through Accounts Centre in the settings. Look for options related to personal details, account ownership, and control.

Choose temporary deactivation if you are uncertain. You can return later without losing your entire profile.

Permanently delete an Instagram account

Permanent deletion means that your account, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers will eventually disappear. It is not intended as a quick cleanup option, but as a final decision.

Confirm that you are logged in to the correct account.
Go to Instagram settings or Accounts Centre.
Find account ownership and control.
Select the option to delete your account.
Follow Instagram’s confirmation instructions.

You can also use Instagram’s account deletion request page if it is available for your account. Always review the official explanation from Instagram to make sure you are following the correct steps. You can find it through the Instagram Help Centre.

Common mistakes with a second Instagram account

Creating a second account is straightforward, but there are several mistakes you should avoid. They often lead to privacy issues, login problems, or accidental posts from the wrong account.

Using a temporary email address: convenient for one minute, but frustrating when you later need to recover your account.
Using the same password: if one account is compromised, your other accounts are also at greater risk.
Forgetting which account is active: always check your profile picture before posting, liking, or commenting.
Including too many recognizable details on an anonymous account: your bio, followers, and profile picture may still reveal who you are.
Promoting an empty business account: make sure your profile looks trustworthy first.
Not adding recovery details: include a reliable email address or phone number so you can log in again if something goes wrong.

Frequently asked questions about a second Instagram account

Can I use two Instagram accounts on one phone?

Yes, you can use multiple Instagram accounts on one phone. Add them in the app, then switch between them using your username at the top of your profile.

Can my followers see that I have a second account?

Not automatically. Instagram does not publicly display which other accounts you have. However, people may recognize your second account through your name, profile picture, contacts, followers, or behaviour.

Can I make my second account private?

Yes. Open your privacy settings and set the account to private. New followers will then need your approval. Keep in mind that some privacy options may work differently with a professional account. If privacy is more important to you than business features, a personal private account is usually the better option.

Can I follow the same people with my second account?

Yes, you can. Remember that doing so can make your account more recognizable, especially if you follow many of the same friends, family members, or colleagues.

Can I change the name of my second Instagram account later?

Yes, you can change your username and profile name later through the edit profile option. For a business or theme account, choose a name you will not need to change too often so people can continue to recognize you.

Which is better: a second account or changing my current account?

If you have a completely different goal, a second account is usually the better choice. Examples include separating private and business content, using a more anonymous account, or starting a theme page. If you only want to make your current profile look more organized, changing your existing account is often enough.

Quick recap

Creating a second Instagram account is useful when you want better organization, more privacy, or a clearer focus. You can create the account through the Instagram app, add it to your existing app, and quickly switch between your profiles.

Preferably, use a separate email address, set up your privacy correctly from the beginning, and always check which account is active before posting. A second account is useful for more anonymous use, but not everything on Instagram is invisible. Stories, likes, comments, and messages may still be visible to other people.

Do you want to use your second account for a brand, creator profile, or theme page? Begin with a clear bio, a recognizable look, and strong content. You can then continue building your visibility at a steady pace.