Instagram Account Hacked? How to Recover Your Account Fast (2026)

To recover a hacked Instagram account, you’ll need a few things. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything—try anyway. Instagram can still help.

• Your Instagram username — The name you use to log in (with or without @). If you don’t remember it, think of the email or phone you used when you first created the account.
• Access to the email or phone linked to your account — Instagram often sends a login or reset link there. If the hacker changed it, you’ll use the old email or phone you had when you signed up.
• A device you usually use — Your phone or computer. Instagram may use this to help confirm it’s really you.

If you no longer have access to the old email or phone, you can still try instagram.com/hacked and enter your username. Instagram may ask you to verify your identity with a video selfie or ID instead. More on that below.

How do you know if your Instagram account was hacked? Here are the most common signs. You might see one or several.

• You can’t log in — Your password doesn’t work anymore, and you didn’t change it. That often means someone else changed it.
• Instagram says your email or phone was changed — You get an email or notification that your contact info was updated. If you didn’t do it, the hacker did so they can receive login codes.
• Strange posts, DMs, or new people you follow — You see content or activity you didn’t do. That’s a clear sign someone else is using your account.
• Unknown devices or locations in Login activity — If you can still get in, check Settings → Security → Login activity. Devices or places you don’t recognize mean someone else has logged in.
• Password reset or login emails you didn’t request — Someone may be trying to take over your account or has already changed your password.

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t panic. Instagram has official ways to help you get your account back. Start with Forgot password on the login screen, or go straight to instagram.com/hacked. We walk you through both below. For other problems (like an account that was disabled), see our Instagram Account Disabled Recover and Shadowban Fix.

When you use instagram.com/hacked or request a password reset, Instagram may ask you to prove you own the account. That’s called identity verification. It’s there to stop the hacker from pretending to be you. Here’s what they might ask for:

• Video selfie — You’ll record a short video of your face. Instagram will show you simple prompts (like “turn your head” or “blink”). Use a device you normally use and good lighting so your face is clear. It only takes a minute.
• Photo ID — You might be asked to upload a photo of a government-issued ID, like a passport or driver’s license. Instagram uses it only to check that you’re the person who owns the account. They don’t use it for advertising or other purposes. You can read Instagram’s privacy policy for the exact details.

What happens to my video or ID? Instagram’s systems (and sometimes their review team) use it only to verify your identity. Once the check is done, they delete or anonymize the data according to their policy. They never ask you to send your password or a login code in an email or DM—if someone does, it’s a scam.

Verification usually takes from a few hours to a few days. Once they confirm it’s you, you’ll get instructions to reset your password and get back into your account.

It depends which path you take.

• If Forgot password works — You get the email or text with the login link, tap it, set a new password, and you’re back in. That can be just a few minutes.
• If you use instagram.com/hacked and get a recovery link — Same idea. You get the link, reset your password, and you’re in. Usually under an hour if you have access to the email or phone.
• If Instagram asks for identity verification (video or ID) — A person or automated system has to review it. That often takes between a few hours and a few days. In busy periods it can be longer. Once they approve you, you’ll get an email or in-app message with the next steps.

If you need faster help, Meta Verified (Instagram’s paid subscription) sometimes gives access to support that can speed things up. It’s optional.

Sometimes the hacker changed your email and phone, and you no longer have access to the old ones. Or you created the account years ago with an email you’ve forgotten. Recovery is still possible, but it may take a bit longer.

In that case, always try instagram.com/hacked. Enter your username (the @ name). If you don’t remember it, try every email or phone number you’ve ever used with Instagram. Instagram will try to match it to an account. If they can’t send a link to your contact, they’ll often offer identity verification instead: the video selfie or ID we described above. That’s how you prove you’re the owner when they can’t reach you by email or phone.

If you’re still stuck, use the Report a hacked account or Can’t log in options in the Instagram Help Center. They don’t always reply quickly, but it’s the official way to ask for help when the normal flow doesn’t work.

These mistakes can slow you down or put you at risk again. Avoid them.

• Don’t pay random people or “hackers” to get your account back — They often take your money and don’t help, or they make things worse. Only use Instagram’s official steps (Forgot password, instagram.com/hacked) or Meta Verified.
• Don’t share your password or login codes with anyone — Instagram and Meta never ask for your password or 2FA code in an email, DM, or text. If someone asks, it’s a scam.
• Don’t click “login” or “verify” links from emails or DMs you didn’t expect — Go to instagram.com or open the app yourself and type instagram.com/hacked in the browser. Phishing links can steal your password.
• Don’t skip two-factor authentication after you recover — Turning on 2FA is the best way to stop the same thing from happening again. See our Two-Factor Authentication guide.

Once you’re back in, take these steps so your account stays yours. Do them in the first few minutes if you can.

1. Change your password — Use a strong password that you don’t use on any other site. That way, if another site gets hacked, your Instagram stays safe.
2. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) — That way, even if someone gets your password, they can’t log in without a code from your phone or app. An authenticator app (like Google Authenticator) is safer than SMS. We walk you through it in our Instagram Two-Factor Authentication guide.
3. Remove suspicious apps — Go to Settings → Apps and websites. Remove anything you don’t recognize. Hackers sometimes get in through third-party apps that had access to your account.
4. Check Login activity and log out strangers — In Settings → Security → Login activity you’ll see a list of devices and places where your account was used. Log out any device that isn’t yours.
5. Check your email and phone — In Settings → Account, make sure the email and phone number are yours and correct. If the hacker added or changed something, remove it.

These steps help you secure your Instagram account and prevent future hacks. For more privacy options, see our Hide Followers and Mute vs Unfollow.

After you’ve recovered your account, a few habits can make it much harder for someone to hack you again. Nothing is 100%, but these steps help a lot.

• Keep two-factor authentication (2FA) on — With 2FA, someone needs your password and your phone (or authenticator app) to log in. That stops most hackers. Here’s how to set up 2FA on Instagram.
• Use a strong, unique password — Don’t reuse the same password on other sites. If one site leaks, hackers try that password everywhere. Use a password manager if it helps.
• Never give your password or login codes to anyone — Instagram and Meta never ask for your password or 2FA code in an email, DM, or text. If someone does, it’s a scam.
• Remove third-party apps you don’t use — In Settings → Apps and websites, revoke access for apps you don’t recognize or don’t need. Fewer apps mean fewer ways in.
• Don’t log in from links in emails or DMs — Open the Instagram app or type instagram.com yourself. Phishing links can look like Instagram but steal your password.

For more on account safety and limits, see our Two-Factor Authentication, Following Limit, and Archive vs Delete.

Use this table for instagram account hacked recovery at a glance:

This is the complete recover hacked instagram account quick reference for 2026. For more tools, see our Two-Factor Authentication, Account Disabled Recover, and Shadowban Fix.

More tools: Close Friends, Reel Dimensions, Hide Followers, and services.