Tired of typing a login code every time you sign in? You can turn off two-factor authentication on Instagram in a few taps, on the app or on desktop. This guide shows the exact path for iPhone, Android and the web, what to do if you can’t log in, and what you give up when you turn it off.
Quick answer: go to Profile → menu → Settings and privacy → Accounts Center → Password and security → Two-factor authentication, choose your account, then turn off the method you use (text message, authentication app or WhatsApp). Menu names can vary slightly by app version.
Before you start: two-factor authentication adds a second step to every new login, which is why it blocks most takeovers even when your password leaks. Turn it off only if you have another way to protect the account (see the end of this guide).
What You Need Before Turning Off 2FA
- You must be logged in on the app or on instagram.com.
- You may be asked for your password to confirm.
- If you use more than one login-code method (for example SMS and an authentication app), you may need to turn each one off.
- If you manage several accounts, pick the right account in Accounts Center first.
How to Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram (iPhone and Android)
Disabling two-factor authentication on Instagram for both iPhone and Android devices follows a similar process. The steps are the same on both. The screenshots below are from Android:
- Go to your profile and tap the three-line icon at the top right corner to access Settings and Privacy.
- Then, click on Account Center and choose Password and Security.
- Tap on Two-factor authentication.
- Select the account you want to turn two-factor authentication off for (if you have multiple accounts).
Choose the method you use to get login codes (for example text message) and turn it off. Repeat for any other method that is switched on.
How to Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram (Desktop)
Removing 2fa on Instagram’s web version is just as simple as the app. Simply follow these steps:
- Log into your Instagram account on your computer, click on “More” on the left side of the screen, and then select “Settings.”
- In the Account Center, pick “Password and Security.”
- Then, click on Two-factor authentication.
- If you have multiple accounts, simply select the one for which you want to disable two-step verification.
- Tap on the security method you’ve already enabled and turn it off.
How to Remove Two-Factor Authentication Without Logging In
To be honest, if you can’t log into your account, you won’t be able to turn two factor authentication off. This is for security reasons.
However, if you’ve logged in on other devices previously, use those to manage your two-step verification settings.
In case you’ve forgotten your password, you can simply click on “Forgot my password” on the login screen. Then enter the email or phone number linked to your account, and get the “Reset link”. Read our full post on how to reset your Instagram password.
Why You Can’t Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram
If the toggle will not switch off, one of these is usually the reason:
- Another method is still active. Open the 2FA screen and check SMS, authentication app and WhatsApp one by one.
- Wrong account selected. 2FA is set per account in Accounts Center, so make sure the right Instagram account is chosen.
- Outdated app. Update Instagram, then close and reopen it, or try the same steps on instagram.com.
- Not logged in. The setting is only available inside a logged-in session.
Should You Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication?
Two-factor authentication is one of the strongest protections an account has. If you only want to stop getting texts, switch the method instead of removing 2FA: an authentication app or a saved-login device is faster than SMS and is not tied to your phone number.
If you do turn it off, make up for it with a long, unique password stored in a password manager, and check where you are logged in. Our guide to checking your Instagram login devices shows how. If anything looks wrong, follow what to do if your Instagram account is hacked.
Forgotten password? Read how to see your Instagram password to check your device’s saved logins before you reset it.
FAQs
Does turning off two-factor authentication increase the risk of my account being hacked?
Yes, it removes a layer of protection. Accounts with 2FA can still be hacked, but a stolen password alone is no longer enough to log in. If you turn it off, use a unique password and review your login devices.
Can I use Instagram on multiple devices after turning off two-factor authentication?
Yes. Logging in on several devices works either way. Without 2FA you will just not be asked for a code on new devices.
How do I turn off two-factor authentication on Instagram on my iPhone?
Open Settings and privacy, then Accounts Center, Password and security, Two-factor authentication, choose your account and turn off the method you use.
Can I turn off 2FA if I lost my phone or can’t receive the code?
Not without logging in. Use a device that is still logged in, or reset your password from the login screen and then open Accounts Center to change the method. If you cannot receive login codes at all, use Instagram’s account recovery options in the Help Center.
Will turning off two-factor authentication log me out?
No. You stay logged in on your current devices. The change applies the next time someone logs in on a new device.
Is it better to switch methods than to turn 2FA off?
Often yes. If SMS is the problem, switch to an authentication app or WhatsApp instead of removing the second step completely.
