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How to Enable Two Factor Authentication on Instagram Using Various Methods

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram Using Various Methods

Instagram offers two-factor authentication as an additional, but recommended, security feature to all users.

Written by Dhruv Raghav, Edited by David Delima | Updated: 9 May 2026 10:00 IST

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram Using Various Methods

Photo Credit: Pixabay/ Solen Feyissa

Here's how you can enable two-factor authentication on Instagram

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Highlights

You can enable two-factor authentication within the Instagram app
There are two methods for authenticating login on Instagram
You can choose to get an authentication code via SMS or WhatsApp

Most people think that having a strong and unique password for their social media account is enough to keep hackers away. However, with the advancement of technology, bad actors have begun employing innovative ways to gain access to your accounts. Like most of its competition, the photo and video-sharing platform Instagram also offers two-factor authentication to its users. This offers a higher level of security to social media users, as they have to authenticate each time they log in to their accounts using a new device. This restricts the chances of your account being hacked, even if a bad actor gets hold of your account credentials.

If you also want a higher level of account security on the social media platform, protecting your account from getting hacked by a bad actor, we have created a step-by-step guide for you to easily enable two-factor authentication on Instagram.

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Benefits of Enabling Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram

There are various benefits of enabling two-factor authentication on Instagram. It acts as an additional layer of security for your social media account, asking you to validate or authenticate each time you log in to your Instagram account. When you do not have two-factor authentication enabled, you can simply log in to your account by entering your account credentials, like your username or email ID, along with your password.

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However, if you have enabled two-factor authentication for your Instagram account, the social media platform will ask you to provide a unique authentication code to validate the login. Hence, even if your password leaks online or somebody else gains access to it without your knowledge, they will not be able to hack your account without the authentication code.

Instagram lets you either opt for a third-party authentication app or receive the code on your phone via SMS or WhatsApp. The social media platform recommends that you choose a third-party authentication app, like Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator, since their codes refresh automatically every few minutes.

However, if somebody has remote access to your phone, they can use the authentication codes received via SMS or WhatsApp to enter your Instagram account. But it should be noted that Instagram sends a unique authentication code via text each time you attempt to log in. Hence, if a hacker has access to a previous authentication code, they will not be able to access your Instagram account during a fresh login.

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How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram Using a Third-Party Authentication App

First, open the Instagram app on your phone and log in to the account you want to enable two-factor authentication for.
Now, click your profile picture, appearing in the bottom-right corner of the screen, to navigate your profile page.
Then, click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of the screen to open the Settings and activity menu.
Now, tap on the Accounts Centre button under Your account.
A new page will appear, where you can manage all your Meta accounts.
You must tap on the Password and security button.
Here, you must click on the Two-factor authentication button, which is the second option from the top.
Now, you must choose the account for which you want to enable two-factor authentication.
Tap on the username of that particular account.
Here, you can choose between using a third-party authentication app and SMS or WhatsApp to get your authentication code.
Select the Authentication app option > click on the Next button.
Now, Instagram will ask you to download a third-party authentication app and display your account authentication key.
If you already have one installed, copy the authentication key from Instagram and paste in the authentication app.
Alternatively, you can tap on the View barcode/QR code button and scan the same via the authentication app.
Now, the authentication app will generate a six-digit code for you, which you must enter while logging in to your Instagram account.
You now have two-factor authentication enabled on your Instagram account.

How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram via SMS or WhatsApp

Follow the same first to tenth steps as mentioned above to reach the two-factor authentication page.
Select the SMS or WhatsApp option > click on the Next button.
Enter your mobile number on which you want to receive the Instagram authentication code.
Then, tap on the Next button.
Instagram will now send a six-digit code to your phone number via WhatsApp.
Here, you can choose to receive the authentication code via SMS by tapping on the Get code via SMS instead button at the bottom of the screen.
Enter the six-digit code on Instagram and tap on the Next button.
You now have two-factor authentication enabled on your Instagram account. Instagram will send you a six-digit code on WhatsApp or SMS each time you log in.

FAQs

1. Why should I enable two-factor authentication on Instagram?

If you enable two-factor authentication on Instagram, it will be difficult for others to log in to your account without your permission, even if they have your account credentials.

2. Is it better to use a third-party authentication app for two-factor authentication on Instagram?

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Instagram recommends that users opt for a third-party authentication app, like Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile.

3. Where does Instagram send the two-factor authentication code?

Instagram sends the two-factor authentication code to users via SMS or WhatsApp.

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Further reading: Instagram, Instagram Two Factor Authentication

Dhruv Raghav

Email Dhruv Raghav

Dhruv Raghav is currently working as a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets360. He has previously covered the North American financial markets as a Headline News Correspondent for a major news agency. After taking a sabbatical to prepare for the Civil Services examination, he returned to journalism to cover tech policy, with a special focus on AI laws and online gaming regulation. Now, he is back in Gadgets360 to write features and edit stories. To unwind, he likes to spend time with his PS5, listening ...More