How to turn on 2 factor authentication instagram


How to Set up Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram

  • Two-factor authentication on Instagram helps secure your account and information, and there are two ways to set it up. 
  • One way is to use your cell phone — register your phone number to receive a text message with a unique code to gain access to your account. 
  • You can also set up two-factor authentication on Instagram using a third-party app. 

Any social media user will tell you how important securing your account is. Hackers and spammers have become a lot more sophisticated, so platforms like Instagram have encouraged users to enable two-factor authentication — an extra level of security connecting your account with two or more devices before you're granted access. 

On Instagram, there are two ways you can enable two-factor authentication. The first, and by far the easiest, is with your cell phone number. When you log into your Instagram account, it will send a text message to your phone with a unique code. The second is with a third-party authentication app. 

Here's how to do both.

How to set up two-factor authentication on Instagram using your phone number 

1. Open the Instagram app on your device. 

2. Go to your profile by tapping the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

3. Select the three horizontal lines icon in the top right corner. 

Tap the three-line menu icon at the top right of your profile page. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

4. From the pop-up menu, select "Settings." 

Tap "Settings." Meira Gebel/Business Insider

5. In the Settings menu, select "Security." 

Tap "Security." Meira Gebel/Business Insider

6. Under "Login Security," tap to select "Two-Factor Authentication.

Tap "Two-Factor Authentication." Meira Gebel/Business Insider

7. Select "Get Started."

Tap "Get Started." Meira Gebel/Business Insider

8. Select "Text Message." 

Tap the toggle button next to "Text Message. " Meira Gebel/Business Insider

9. Enter your phone number and then select "Next." 

Type in your phone number and tap "Next." Meira Gebel/Business Insider

10. Enter the code sent to your phone and then select "Next." 

Type in the code that was texted to you, then hit "Next. " Meira Gebel/Business Insider

11. Once you've entered the correct code sent to your device, your two-factor authentication should now be active. Instagram will also give you a list of codes you can use when you don't have access to your phone, so be sure to take a screenshot or save wherever you keep your password manager.

How to set up two-factor authentication on Instagram using a third-party app 

1. Open the Instagram app on your device. 

2. Go to your profile by tapping the profile icon at the bottom right corner of the screen.

3. Select the three horizontal lines icon in the top right corner. 

4. Select "Settings." 

5. Select "Security." 

6. Select "Two-Factor Authentication" from the menu options. 

7. Select "Get Started."

8. Select "Authentication App." 

Tap the toggle button next to "Authentication App (Recommended)." Meira Gebel/Business Insider

9. If you don't already have one of these apps on your phone, Instagram will recommend either Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile, depending on your device. Download the suggested app, and tap "Next."

Download the app and tap "Next. " Meira Gebel/Business Insider

10. Once the app is done downloading, a pop-up will take you to the third-party two-factor authentication app to retrieve an access code. 

11. Copy the code from the third-party app and then return to Instagram and paste it in the text field. 

Copy the time-sensitive code from the authenticator app before returning to the Instagram app. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

12. Now you will be registered with the third-party app so that anytime you log into your Instagram account, a code will be sent to the app for verification. 

Your authenticator app is now confirmed — tap "Next" to complete the process. Meira Gebel/Business Insider
  • How to set up two-factor authentication on Skype, and increase the security of all your Microsoft accounts


  • How to set up two-factor authentication on Amazon to protect your account data and payment information

  • How to turn off two-step and two-factor authentication on an iPhone, through your Apple ID account

  • How to log out of Instagram on your phone or computer to protect your account's security

  • How to disconnect your Instagram account from Facebook

Meira Gebel

Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University.  Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, @MeiraGebel.

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How to Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram

Two-factor authentication is a popular identity confirmation method for a variety of web pages and online apps. It is an additional layer of security that protects you and your account from imposters. Instagram added two-factor authentication in 2018. With so many users worldwide, the platform has to pay attention to account safety. Of course, some people might have turned on two-factor authentication only to change their mind – it does add a couple more steps.

What Is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)?

You are probably familiar with single-factor authentication (SFA), which requires users to go through one security step to log in, most commonly a password.

Two-factor authentication adds another layer of security, which can come in several forms. This greatly enhances the security of your account by making it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain access to it. This means that even if a hacker got a hold of someone’s password, they’d still have to go through an additional layer of security, preferably in the form of information they can’t get their hand on.

The Second Factor

While the first security step is almost always a password, the second factor can be any number of things. But one thing is for sure. It should be something that a hacker can’t access. As you might know, the common 2FA for bank and other financial accounts is having a security code texted to your phone. The assumption is that you have the phone in your possession, and thus the hacker won’t be able to retrieve that text (at least not that easily).

Here are all the possible authentication factors (in the order of common adoption):

  • Knowledge factor – Based on the user’s knowledge (like a password, PIN, or personal info), SFA is typically based on knowledge factor.
  • Possession factor – As described, this is the most common form of 2FA. In addition to a password, the user needs access to something in their possession, such as a text to their cell phone, a security token, an ID card, etc.
  • Inherence factor – This is a more complex form of 2FA. It is commonly referred to as the biometric factor, as in something physically specific to the user. This includes fingerprint, retinal, facial, and voice ID and up to keystroke dynamics, behavioral biometrics, and gait/speech patterns.
  • Location factor – The location of the login attempt is used as a confirmation factor.
  • Time factor – A specific allowable time window can be used.

Instagram’s 2FA

Instagram’s 2FA is a text message sent to your phone, within which is a code you’ll need to enter to access your Instagram account. This is, of course, a possession factor, where you’ll need to have your phone with you. If you no longer wish to use 2FA for Instagram, or if you need to assign another phone number to it, here’s what to do:

  1. Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the Instagram app.
  2. Then, tap the three horizontal lines icon in the upper right corner.
  3. Go to Settings.
  4. From there, navigate to Security.
  5. Tap Two-Factor Authentication.
  6. Now, disable both the options you have enabled, most likely the Text Message option.

Desktop Site

You can do this on the Instagram site, too.

  1. Click the profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

  2. Click on Profile in the dropdown menu.
  3. Click on Privacy and Security in the menu to the left.

  4. Scroll down the page to the Two-Factor Authentication section and deselect the checkmark next to your phone number.
  5. If the Authentication app option has a checkmark, remove that one too.

Using Authentication Apps

Authentication apps are often safer than using Instagram’s built-in text message 2FA. That’s because text messages are much easier to hack than an authentication app that’s built with more sophisticated safety and security in mind. If your Instagram account has many followers and an excellent follower/following ratio, you’re better off using both the Text Message and Authentication App options in your Two-Factor Authentication Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

This section includes the answers to your most frequently asked questions!

How do I get into my Instagram account if I can’t get the 2FA codes?

Sometimes we don’t have access to the phone number or authentication app used to receive codes. When this happens, it’s difficult to get back into your account. Fortunately, Instagram’s developers offer a way to help you get back into your account.

When you request a code, click the I Can’t access this phone number option. Instagram will request an email address that you can access. Then, you’ll receive an email from the company within 24 hours.

Instagram may request a photo ID or video proving your identity. Then you can gain access to your Instagram account to reset the password and fix your 2FA parameters.

Do I need 2FA?

Instagram accounts appeal to hackers because the interlopers can run scams and access your friends’ accounts. So, yes. It’s better to keep 2FA enabled.

But, 2FA can cause login problems for honest users. If you don’t have 2FA enabled, it’s best to avoid clicking on any links inside the app while also setting a very secure password.

Staying Safe on Instagram

Using Instagram’s two-factor authentication all of the time can be a bit of a nuisance, but some might say that it’s better to be safe than sorry. Additionally, you won’t have to log into your Instagram too many times since the app knows how to keep you logged in.

Do you use 2FA on Instagram? Is it worth the trouble? Discuss what you think about using 2FA on Instagram in the comments below.

Two-factor authentication on Instagram: how to enable or disable

Two-factor authentication on Instagram is a way to further protect your social network profile from hacking attempts.

Two-factor is explained by the fact that in order to enter the page from another device, each time you need to enter additional data:

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  • at the first stage, this is the login and password for entering; nine0010
  • at the second stage is the authentication code received in an SMS message or through special applications such as Duo Mobile, Google Authenticator.

The number of attempts to hack accounts in many social networks is growing every year. Fraudsters are developing more and more sophisticated ways to get access to your data. According to CNews Analytics, only in 2014-2015 there were several successful hacker attacks:

nine0019 What happened:
Year
September 2014 Hackers obtained the data of about 5 million accounts of the Gmail mail service.
September 2014 With the help of phishing and virus infection, attackers stole more than 1 million Yandex user passwords.
September 2014 were hacked and compiled into a database of approximately 4.6 million passwords from Mail.ru mail.
October 2014 Fraudsters attacked about 200,000 Vkontakte users, all accounts had Gmail, Mail.ru and Yandex email addresses.
May 2015 6.7 million user accounts of the popular Ask.ru website were hacked.
October 2015 Hackers took over the data of 15 million T-mobile customers.

The two-factor authentication function is equally important for ordinary users and owners Instagram business pages and public accounts with a large number of followers when it is important to keep Instagram data safe from the hands of scammers. For ordinary users, this feature can be useful, but it will take more time to visit the profile.

Read also: How to upgrade your Instagram from scratch

How to enable two-factor authentication on Instagram

Instagram offers to get an authentication code using one of the following methods:

  • via SMS;
  • using a specialized application.

Two-factor authentication using SMS messages

Benefits of this method:

  • every visit you will receive a randomly generated password on your phone. If they try to hack the page, having learned the login and password, the attackers will not be able to predict the combination of numbers that you will receive;
  • login is not possible without a mobile device, the number of which is linked to the Instagram page. nine0010

Of the minuses of this method, the following can be noted:

  • with a constant request for codes from the same device, the likelihood that scammers will be able to hack your account increases;
  • in the absence of a cellular signal, it becomes necessary to enter a backup code that may be lost.

To set up this method, you need:

  1. Open Instagram, find the icon with the image of a person's silhouette, click. In the window that opens, click "Edit profile" or go to the settings using the icon:
  2. We find in the menu "Privacy and security", "Two-factor authentication":
  1. On the page that opens, opposite SMS, activate the slider - your number will receive a code that must be entered to confirm the operation.
  1. Link your mobile number to your profile if it is not already linked. To do this, select "Next" (for iPhone) or (for Android) and enter a valid phone number that you use to contact:
  1. After entering the code from SMS, click "Done", in automatic mode you will be redirected to the page with backup codes. With their help, you can confirm the entry when you are unable to receive an SMS with a code. The program will automatically take a picture of this page so that the codes are not lost:

This will help so that later you do not have to spend time and effort on restoring your Instagram account.

Two-factor authentication with mobile app

The advantages of this method are that:

  • you can log into your account even if there is no mobile connection;
  • in one application, you can generate passwords for multiple devices.

Of the minuses, it is worth saying that:

  • if the server is hacked and the primary key is obtained, scammers will be able to generate a password and enter your page;
  • If the app generates security codes on the same device that you use to access Instagram (for example, a tablet or smartphone), two-factor is reduced. nine0010

The way to set up two-factor authentication through a mobile application is identical to the settings using SMS messages, but:

  1. In the item for choosing a security method, move the slider to the active position, opposite "Authentication application". We download the application to your gadget using the App Store or Play Market:
  1. Install the authenticator app and return to Instagram. We receive a confirmation code to enter the account:

    Click "Next", go to the authenticator application, click "save key". Now your profile has been added to the application, you are open to receive verification codes.
  1. We return to Instagram, then enter the numbers from the code and click "Done":

Now, when you visit your Instagram page, you must enter an identification code every time.

Current: How to use the question sticker in Stories

How to turn off two-factor authentication and why it is better not to do it

If necessary, you can turn off two-factor authentication settings. But, if the function does not work, your data may be threatened by attackers. To turn it off, go to the "Settings" menu, select the "Two-factor authentication" item and deactivate each of the sliders:

The relevance of additional protection of your personal data on the Instagram social network is growing exponentially. The two-factor verification option is a great opportunity to further protect your account from the hands of scammers. Each time you visit a social network from an unidentified gadget, you will need to prove that you are the owner of this page. This is a robust enough feature to make it difficult for attackers to get their hands on the account. In addition, if the page is being hacked, you will receive a confirmation code, this will make it clear that someone is trying to access the page. nine0003

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Two-factor authentication Instagram how to enable and disable?

Falcon Security 107.337

Yesterday, March 23, 2017, the Instagram developers announced in their blog the addition of the long-awaited two-factor authentication feature for many.

In this article I will tell you what is two-factor authentication Instagram or as it is also called "Two-step authentication". Why and in what cases it should be used and when it is not necessary. Well, of course, I will show you how to enable it, how to use it correctly and how to disable it, in the case when this function is not needed. nine0003

I recommend reading the article "How to find out who viewed the page on Instagram. "

  • Foreword
  • What is 2-Step Verification on Instagram
  • Enable two-factor authentication Instagram
  • How to disable two-factor authentication Instagram

Instagram 2-Step Verification

What is it?

Two-factor authentication is a method of identifying a user in an Internet service by requesting two different types of authentication data, which provides better account protection from hacking. nine0003

In practice, it usually looks like this:

  • The first level of protection is the login and password
  • The second level of protection is a secret code sent via SMS, email or push notifications on your phone.

In general, the essence of this authorization method is quite simple: in order to get somewhere, you need to confirm the fact that you are you twice, and with the help of two different “keys”, one of which you own and the other you keep in memory. nine0003

Why do I need this?

If you are a regular user whose account is of little value, then you don't need it. But if you are an account owner with at least a couple of hundred followers or some public person, then in such a situation you should definitely enable two-step verification.

How to enable two-factor authentication Instagram

1. Go to the Instagram application and click on the person icon in the lower right corner. Then in the profile window in the upper right corner, click on the three dots. nine0003

2. In the profile settings, select "Two-factor authentication". In the 2-Step Verification settings, set the "Require Code" slider to active.

3. If you did not provide a phone number when registering your account, you will have to do so now. Click on the "Enter number" button and enter your mobile phone number in the window that appears.

4. Enter your mobile phone number. If the number is correct, you will receive a security code that you must enter. nine0003

6. At the end you will be asked to take a screenshot of your backup codes. Backup codes can come in handy if you lose access to your phone number and cannot receive a security code via SMS.

I strongly advise against taking a screenshot and storing it in an unprotected way in the gallery, instead I can advise using a password manager for Android and iOS to store backup passcodes.

Using two-factor authentication Instagram

Now, when you try to log into your account, the system will require you to enter the security code for Instagram.

Two-factor authentication Instagram

As you can see, there is nothing complicated. It can be a little stressful, but it's worth it!

How to disable two-factor authentication Instagram

Disabling this feature is as easy as enabling it. Just go to your 2-Step Verification settings and turn the "Require code" slider to inactive.


Learn more