Deepak Gupta

Instagram hacked and the password was changed

Go to instagram.com/hacked in a phone or computer browser and follow the on-screen instructions. You can also tap Forgot password? on the login screen and request a login link to your email or phone. If Instagram asks for a video selfie, it uses it to check you are a real person and the owner.

Do these 3 things now

1Go to instagram.com/hacked in a browser and follow the on-screen instructions.Read to them:“Go to instagram.com/hacked in a browser and follow the on-screen instructions.”
2Check your email for a message from security@mail.instagram.com. If it offers secure my account, use it.Read to them:“Check your email for a message from security@mail.instagram.com. If it offers secure my account, use it.”
3Do not reply to anyone who DMs or comments offering to recover your account. Instagram does not contact you about account security in DMs.Read to them:“Do not reply to anyone who DMs or comments offering to recover your account. Instagram does not contact you about account security in DMs.”

Secure your account at instagram.com/hacked

Official link: www.instagram.com

I am helping someone else

Helper mode: each step is written for you to read aloud. Let them tap and type on their own device; never ask them to send you a code. Send them this first.

01Is this you?

Your password no longer works and you did not change it.
Your profile posts, comments or shares things you did not do.
You see a "Try again later" error when using Instagram.

Not quite? My email and phone were changed too · Instagram says my account is disabled · My phone number stopped working

02Official recovery path

If you got an email from security@mail.instagram.com about a change you did not make, select secure my account in that email.Read to them:“If you got an email from security@mail.instagram.com about a change you did not make, select secure my account in that email.”source
On the Instagram login screen, tap Forgot password?Read to them:“On the Instagram login screen, tap Forgot password?”source
Enter your username, email address or phone number, then tap Send login link.Read to them:“Enter your username, email address or phone number, then tap Send login link.”source
Complete the captcha, then tap Next.Read to them:“Complete the captcha, then tap Next.”source
Open the login link in your email or text message and follow the on-screen instructions. Set a new password right away.Read to them:“Open the login link in your email or text message and follow the on-screen instructions. Set a new password right away.”source
If the link does not work or never arrives, go to instagram.com/hacked and follow the on-screen instructions.Read to them:“If the link does not work or never arrives, go to instagram.com/hacked and follow the on-screen instructions.”source

Did that get you back in?

Yes

Lock it down now. Change the password, turn on two-step, sign out other devices. It takes about 15 minutes.

No

A.If the login link fails, request support from Instagram on a mobile device. Enter a secure email address that only you can access. Instagram emails you the next steps.Read to them:“If the login link fails, request support from Instagram on a mobile device. Enter a secure email address that only you can access. Instagram emails you the next steps.”iPhoneAndroidsource
B.If your account has photos of you, Instagram may ask for a video selfie of you turning your head. Instagram says the video is never shown on Instagram and is deleted within 30 days.Read to them:“If your account has photos of you, Instagram may ask for a video selfie of you turning your head. Instagram says the video is never shown on Instagram and is deleted within 30 days.”source
C.If your account has no photos of you, Instagram's support team may email you to ask for the email or phone you signed up with and the type of device you used then.Read to them:“If your account has no photos of you, Instagram's support team may email you to ask for the email or phone you signed up with and the type of device you used then.”source
D.If your selfie does not pass review, you may be able to submit a new one in the Instagram app.Read to them:“If your selfie does not pass review, you may be able to submit a new one in the Instagram app.”source

Then: how long it takes

03How long it takes

No published timeline

Instagram does not publish a timeline for recovering a hacked account. While a video selfie is being reviewed, you cannot use the account.

While you wait

Change the password on the email account tied to Instagram. Instagram says anyone who can read your email can probably get into Instagram too.
Warn your friends from another account or by text.
Write down every email Instagram sends you and when, for the incident log.

04Warn your contacts

Send this from another account or by text, so nobody falls for messages sent in your name.

My Instagram account was hacked. If it messages you asking for money, a code, or to click a link, it is not me. Please do not reply or click anything, and report the account. I will tell you when I have it back.

More templates: email, followers, customers

05Watch out for recovery scams

People who just lost an account are the main target of fake helpers. Only Instagram's own app or website can restore your account.

DMs from accounts calling themselves Instagram or Meta support. Instagram says it will never contact you about profile security through Direct Messages. How it works
"Recovery hackers" in comments and DMs who say they can get your account back for a fee. Only Instagram can restore an account, through instagram.com/hacked. How it works
A friend's hacked account asking you to vote, join a contest, or send a code. The code is usually a login link or reset code for your own account. How it works

All recovery scams and how to spot them

06Once you're back in: lock it down

0 of 9 doneAbout 18 minutes total

Change your password to one you use nowhere else2 minOn the web, click More > Settings > Accounts Center > Password and security > Change password, pick the account, and enter your current and new password. Instagram says to use at least 6 numbers, letters and punctuation marks. Changing it logs out every other device.source
Turn on two-factor authentication with an authentication app4 minClick More > Settings > See more in Accounts Center > Password and security > Two-factor authentication, then pick your account. Choose Authentication app, which Instagram recommends over text message. You can only turn on the app method from the Instagram app for iPhone or Android.source
Save your backup codes somewhere safe2 minIn Password and security > Two-factor authentication, pick your account, then click Additional methods > Backup codes. Save them offline. A backup code gets you in when a login code cannot reach you.source
Log out devices you do not recognize2 minIn Password and security, click Where you're logged in, pick your account, then click Select devices to log out. Select anything you do not recognize and click Log out.source
Check your email and phone number are yours1 minConfirm the email address and phone number in your account settings are correct and that only you can reach them. These are where Instagram sends login links and codes.source
Remove linked accounts you do not recognize1 minOpen Accounts Center and check which Facebook, Instagram and Meta accounts are added. Remove any account you do not recognize.source
Remove third-party apps you do not trust2 minClick More > Settings, then below Your app and media click Website permissions > Apps and Websites > Active. Click Remove next to anything you do not use or trust, especially apps that promised likes or followers.source
Secure the email account tied to Instagram3 minInstagram says anyone who can read your email can probably get into your Instagram too. Give that email account its own strong, unique password and turn on its two-step sign-in.source
Learn where to check real Instagram emails1 minClick More > Settings > Meta Account > Login and security > Recent emails. Security emails from the last 14 days are listed there. If a "security" email is not in the list, it did not come from Instagram.source

Then do the 24-hour cleanup.

Free toolExposure CheckSee what of yours is already public.Free toolPassword Breach CheckCheck if a password shows up in known leaks.ReadWas your password in a data leak?ReadHow to set up two-factor on all your accounts

07How it probably happened

Most likely
You entered your password on a fake login page, often linked from a scary DM or email.
How this scam works
Also common
Your Instagram password was the same as one leaked from another site.
Less common
You gave your login to an app that promised likes or followers.
How this scam works

Account taken, recovery details swapped

08Report it

Report an Impersonation Account on Instagram or Threads

Lost money, being blackmailed, or someone is using your account to scam others? Report it to your country's cybercrime service too. If you are in danger, call your local emergency number.

United States

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)Report online crime, including account takeovers that led to money loss or extortion. The IC3 never contacts you first and never asks for money.
FTC ReportFraudReport the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
IdentityTheft.govUse it if someone used your Social Security number or opened accounts in your name. You get a recovery plan.

United Kingdom

Report Fraud (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)Run by the City of London Police. It replaced Action Fraud on 4 December 2025. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101 instead.
Forward scam texts to 7726Free on most UK networks. Your provider can look into the sender and block it.
Report a scam email to the NCSCForward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk before you delete it.
Report Fraud: 0300 123 2040England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

India

National Cyber Crime Reporting PortalRun by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. Reports go to state and UT police.
Chakshu on Sanchar SaathiReport suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages to the Department of Telecommunications. It is not for money already lost: call 1930 for that.
National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930Toll free, 24 hours. Call fast if money left your account: it can help freeze the transfer.

Canada

Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: report onlineVictims and witnesses can report fraud or cybercrime online. Also contact your local police as soon as you can.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: 1-888-495-8501Toll free. The CAFC does not contact people to ask for money.

Australia

ReportCyberReport cybercrime to police. Your report may go to your state or territory police or the AFP.
ScamwatchReport a scam, even if you lost no money. The AFP also points people worried about identity theft to IDCARE, a free support service.
ReportCyber phone line: 1300 292 371Report concerns about cybercrime or cyber security incidents. If life is at risk, call 000.

09Questions people ask

What is instagram.com/hacked?

It is Instagram's own page for securing an account that someone else got into, or that you cannot log in to. Instagram's help pages link to it. Open it in a desktop or mobile browser.

Why does Instagram want a video selfie?

Instagram says photos and IDs can be edited, so it asks you to turn your head in a short video to show you are a real person and the owner. The video is never shown on Instagram and is deleted within 30 days.

I can still log in. What should I do?

Change your password, turn on two-factor authentication, check your email and phone in settings, remove linked accounts you do not know in Accounts Center, and revoke access for apps you do not trust.

Will changing my password log the hacker out?

Instagram says that when you change your password, every device logged in to your account is logged out and has to sign in again.

Can someone in the comments get my account back?

No. Only Instagram can restore access. People offering recovery in comments or DMs are a known scam. Use instagram.com/hacked instead.

Sources and last check

Last verified: October 16, 2026. Steps checked against the platform's own help pages listed below. Device testing is ongoing; steps marked unconfirmed are still waiting for it.

Instagram: My Instagram was Hacked (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: Hacked Instagram account (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: If you think your Instagram profile has been hacked (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: What to do if your Instagram profile posts unauthorized content (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: Why you might be asked to upload a video selfie (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: Security tips (read 2026-10-16)
Instagram Help: Review recent emails sent from Instagram (read 2026-10-16)

Wrong step or changed screen? Report it. Never include passwords or codes.