Instagram accounts get hacked all the time. It’s not uncommon. In fact, in 2022, there were more than one million cases of social media account takeovers or hacks, and 85% of victims said their Instagram account was compromised.
But the main question is, if you’re locked out, how to get back in? Find out below.
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How to tell your Instagram account is hacked
First, how do you figure out if your account has been hacked? There are a couple of ways of finding this out.
- Your login and password no longer work.
- Friends and families get weird messages you are sure you did not send.
- You receive a password reset email that you did not request.
- You receive a “suspicious login attempt” notification. If you receive this, log into the Instagram app, then go to Settings and privacy > Account (or Accounts Center) > Password and security > Where you’re logged in. There, if you see any unfamiliar locations, press “This Wasn’t Me” and Instagram will log off from that device and location. Make sure to change your password for upgraded security.
What to do if your Instagram account gets hacked
If you still have access to your account, as is the case in some situations listed above, you can usually get rid of your hacker if you move fast. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Check the phone number and email address listed in your account settings. These details are important when you want to change your password or other personal information. So, before you try to change your passwords, go to your Profile and select Settings and privacy > Account (or Accounts Center) > Personal details and make sure that your email address and phone number are unchanged.
Step 2: Log out of all active Instagram sessions. Go to Settings and privacy > Account (or Accounts Center) > Password and security > Where you’re logged in, and close all active sessions by selecting the option “Select devices to log out” and choose all the devices you want to log out of. Remember, this means that you’ll have to log back into Instagram on your phone, iPad/tablet, and computer.
Step 3: Now, you’ll want to reset your Instagram password under Settings and privacy > Account (or Accounts Center) > Password and security > Change password. Choose a unique and strong password that is at least eight characters long and includes a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Step 4: Turn on two-factor authentication. Go to Settings and privacy > Account (or Accounts Center) > Password and security > Two-factor authentication. This means that even if hackers have your password, they can’t get into your account, because you will be sent a one-time code to your personal email or number.
How to regain access to a hacked account
Check your email for a message from Instagram
The application will email you if anyone changes your password or email. If you didn’t ask for these changes, you can revert to your old password by clicking “revert this change” in the email.
Search for any email sent from security@mail.instagram.com. Be sure to check your junk and spam folders.
Request a login link
A login link helps verify that you’re the account owner. It is a special link that is sent to your email or phone number. In case your email or phone number has not been changed, here’s how to request a login link from the application:
- On Android: Open the application, select “Get help logging in” and then follow the prompts.
- On iOS: Open the application, select “Forgot password?” and then follow the prompts.
In case your email or phone number has been changed by the hacker, follow the next steps instead.
Request more support or a security link
If you’re locked out of your account, you’ll have to make a special support request to Meta (the parent company of Instagram and Facebook).
Here’s how to request support from Instagram’s login page:
On Android:
- Tap “Get help logging in.”
- Enter your username, email address, or phone number.
- Tap “Need more help?” and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Select your preferred contact method, and then tap “Send security code.”
- If you don’t receive the code, you’ll need to tap “I can’t access this email or phone number.”
On iOS:
- Tap “Need more help?”
- Select your preferred contact method, and then tap “Send security code.”
- If you don’t receive the code, you’ll need to tap “I can’t access this email or phone number.”
Once you submit your request, you should receive an email from Instagram detailing the next steps to take.
Pro tip: Make sure that you’re using a secure email account to receive login information. If your email account has been hacked, scammers can bypass all of these measures and retain access to your account.
Verify your identity with Instagram
Eventually, you’ll need to verify that you are who you say you are. There are two ways that you can verify your identity to get your hacked Instagram account back.
- If your account doesn’t have photos of you: Instagram will ask for details such as the email address, phone number, and device type (iPhone, iPad, Android, etc.) that you used when signing up for your account.
- If your account does have photos of you: Meta will ask you to send a video selfie (in which you turn your head at different angles) to confirm you’re a real person. Instagram says the video is only for verification purposes and will be deleted from their servers within 30 days.
Unfortunately, this entire process can take days, weeks, and sometimes even months. Much of it is automated, meaning you can’t directly contact Instagram if you’re hitting a snag. However, it’s still the best process by which to recover your hacked Instagram account.
So even if it takes time, following these steps is far better than letting a hacker have total control over your account.
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