How to turn on two-factor authentication on Instagram (2024)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 22, 2020 16:47 IST

Instagram is a photo and video sharing social media application. It allows its users to share their memories in the forms of stories, photos, reels, and more. Instagram offers two-factor authentication which is a security feature. When you set up this two-factor authentication, you are asked to enter a special login code or confirm your login attempt each time someone tries accessing Instagram from an unrecognized or unfamiliar device.

There are several two-factor authentication methods you can use with your Instagram account. In order to begin with two-factor authentication, choose either:

• Text message (SMS) codes on your mobile phone.
• Login codes from a third-party authentication app (such as duo mobile or Google authenticator).

You are required to set up at least one of the above to use two-factor authentication.

Note: After turning on two-factor authentication, you will be able to access recovery codes for your account if you have issues in receiving a code.

In case you use a third-party authentication app (such as duo mobile or Google authenticator), then you can set up two-factor authentication manually for your Instagram account. It will generate a key that you can use to set up two-factor authentication for each of your devices. Your Instagram key can also be used in case of using multiple authentication apps on the same device.

How to set up two-factor authentication manually

Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your device.

Step 2: Then, tap on the 'profile icon' in the bottom right to go to your profile page.

Step 3: Tap on the three lines in the top right.

Step 4: Then, tap on the 'settings' icon

Step 5: Tap on 'security' and then scroll down and tap 'two-factor authentication'.

Step 6: Tap the slider next to the authentication app, then tap 'set up manually'.

Step 7: In case you cannot see the toggle switch, tap 'get started'.

• Tap 'copy key' below the Instagram key and paste it into your authentication app (example: duo mobile or Google authenticator).
• Note: You have to copy the key code to your clipboard, and take a screenshot, as it will not be accessible again after the set up is finished.
• After your Instagram account is connected to your authentication app, copy the 6-digit code your authentication app creates.
• Then, go back to the Instagram app, tap 'next' and paste the 6-digit code to complete the process.

After you have set up two-factor authentication on the first device, you can now send the Instagram key to your other devices and set up two-factor authentication from there.

How to turn on two-factor authentication for multiple devices

For all other devices, you will be able to paste the Instagram key generated from your first device into the authentication app on every additional device and connect your Instagram account to it.

Please note that your IG key is different from a one-time code generated through your authentication app:

• IG key: Your IG key is a code that is generated when you manually set up two-factor authentication on a device and it can be used to set up two-factor authentication across many devices.
• One-time code: This is a 6-digit security code you can use for verification.
• Recovery code: This is a code you can use as a backup if you are unable to access your 6-digit code generated by your authentication app.

(Source: Instagram help)

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