What you need to know:
- If you can log into your account, change its password as this will log you out of your account from other devices and prevent a hacker from accessing it.
- Even if the hacker changes the password, you can still request a login link if your email address or phone number is still associated with the account.
- If a hacker removes your phone number and email address, you will still be able to log in with your Facebook ID if you have previously linked your account.
If you always link your Instagram account to almost every app and website, you are compromising its security and there is a high chance of being hacked. Even if you’re not that kind of person and always keep your account credentials safe, many users’ accounts have been hacked lately.
And if you think that your account is in this situation, then here is how you can recover hacked Instagram account on iPhone or Mac.
If you still have access to your Instagram account
Even after being hacked, you don’t need to worry much if you can log in. Follow the methods mentioned here to recover your Instagram account.
Change password
If you can access your Instagram account even after being hacked, then quickly go ahead and change its password. This will automatically log you out of your account on all devices except the one you are currently using. And, as you can guess, this will prevent hackers from further accessing your account.
Revoke access
Remember that app or website you allowed your Instagram ID to be linked to? This may come as a shock to you, but your actions may be the reason for your account being hacked. Most of these apps and websites are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
And after you give them access to your account, these apps will try to hack into your account with the permissions you have given. So how do you revoke the access you gave them? In the Instagram app for iPhone and Android, you need to:
- Open your profile and tap the hamburger menu.
- Click “Settings”.
- Select Security.
- Next, select Apps & websites.
To revoke access to apps and websites on your Instagram account from a browser on your mobile device or PC, you need to:
- Open Instagram.
- Go to your profile and tap the gear icon.
- Select Apps & websites.
Now click on the apps and websites you want to revoke access to and then click Revoke Access. You can also use this direct link to revoke access to apps and websites.
If your account email and phone number is linked to your IG account
Hackers will change your account password when they get access. This will also log you out of your devices. But before they change the associated email ID and phone number, let’s take a quick look at the methods we have in place to get your account back.
Request a link to login to Instagram
- Open Instagram and click “Forget Password”. On Android, it’s “Login Help”. And in the browser – “Forget password”.
- Enter your username, email address, or phone number and click Next.
You will be informed that a login link has been sent to the associated email address or number. Check your email app and tap the link that’s been shared with you.
Request support or a passcode on the Instagram app for Android
- Open the Instagram app and tap Get help signing in.
- Enter your username, email address, or phone number and click Next.
- Next, Unable to reset password.
- Here, select one of the following options:
- Yes, I have a photo in my account:
- Click next.
- Enter your password and click Next.
- Select a phone number or email address and click Next. The secret code will be sent to your phone number or email address.
- Enter the received code and click “Confirm”. Wait a while for Instagram to verify your account.
- Click next.
- You will be prompted to hold your iPhone at eye level. Click next.
- Send a video selfie, then click Send.
What to do if hackers changed your email address?
If you’re unlucky, hackers will instantly block all ways you can recover your account. As part of this, the email, phone number and password will be changed. So, how to recover a hacked Instagram account in this situation? Let’s look at some of the ways we can still try.
Check the email app
Even if a hacker has changed the email address associated with your Instagram account, you still need to check the email app. Instagram will send a confirmation email to let you know if someone tries to change the email address associated with your insta account.
If you have not initiated a change to your Instagram account, you can click on the link provided with the email to block the hacker from accessing your email. That’s why it’s best to enable email notifications on your device.
Login with Facebook
If you have linked your Facebook account to Instagram, you can try to recover your account in this way.
- Open the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android.
- Tap Sign in with Facebook.
- In the next pop-up window, click Continue.
- Now sign in with your Facebook ID.
If the hacker has not unlinked your Facebook account, you will be able to log into your account again using this method and then change your account password and revoke access to your account.
FAQ
It usually takes about 2 days for Instagram to help you recover your account. Even after the video is verified, Instagram will keep your verification video for up to 30 days.
If you provide your details to malicious apps and websites, hackers can access your account and compromise it.
You can write to Instagram at support@instagram.com or contact 650-543-4800. If you can’t get a response, you can request support from Instagram on the login screen.
That’s all!
In this day and age where our data is always at risk of being hacked, it is always best not to share your account information with unknown apps and websites. Were you able to recover your account? Let me know in the comments.