Instagram may keep logging you out because of an issue with the app, your browser, or your connection. Your saved login may also no longer be valid. First, try signing in to the same account in a regular browser and see whether you stay logged in. This helps you know where to look next. Being logged out on its own does not mean someone has taken over your account.
Below, see which situation sounds familiar and follow the steps that apply.
Instagram keeps logging you out: determine where it happens
Compare the app with a regular browser on your own device. Use the same account and do not change any settings yet. Do you have a second device of your own? Also test whether you stay logged in there.
The PhoneGrid guide to repeated logouts divides the checks into device, browser, network, and account security. Use the table to choose where to start.
| What do you notice? | What should you check first? |
|---|---|
| Only the app logs you out | Update the app and restart your phone. |
| Only the browser logs you out | Check whether you are using a private window and whether your browser saves cookies. |
| It happens only on one connection | Compare your own Wi Fi with mobile data. |
| It happens on all your devices | View your logged in devices and any security alerts. |
| You also see unknown messages or changed account details | Go straight to the steps for securing your account. |
Suppose the app keeps asking for your password, but you stay logged in in your browser. Start with the steps for the app. You do not need to log out everywhere or change your password right away.
Instagram logs you out in the app: update the app
Do you stay logged in in the browser? Try these steps one at a time on your phone. After each step, check whether Instagram still logs you out.
- Close Instagram completely. Then open the app again.
- Check whether there is an update. Open the App Store on your iPhone or Google Play on Android.
- Restart your phone. Then open only Instagram to test it.
- If necessary, clear the cache on Android. These are temporary files from the app. Find Instagram among the apps in your phone settings. Do you see an option to clear the cache? Try it. Do not simply choose to clear all data.
- If necessary, reinstall Instagram. Only do this if the earlier steps do not help and you are sure you can sign in again.
Cannot clear the cache, for example on your iPhone? Skip that step. The options vary by phone.
Before reinstalling, check that you have access to your recovery email, phone number, and any login codes. Save important drafts outside Instagram first. Content stored only on your phone may be lost if you remove the app.
Does the app close by itself without showing a login screen? Instagram may be crashing rather than logging you out. Read what you can do if Instagram keeps crashing.
Instagram logs you out in the browser: check cookies
Cookies are small files that let a website remember your login. Does your browser delete these files? Instagram may then ask for your password again.
- Use a regular window. A private window usually does not save your login after you close all private windows.
- Check whether your browser automatically clears cookies. Look in the settings to see whether this happens when you close the browser.
- Try another browser. Do you stay logged in there? Then look further into the settings or extensions of your first browser.
- If necessary, clear only Instagram site data. You will need to sign in again afterwards. You do not need to clear all cookies from all websites right away.
Are you using a browser extension, an extra program in your browser, that cleans up or blocks cookies? It may affect your login. If necessary, temporarily disable the extension for Instagram and test again. Keep the other privacy protection in your browser enabled.
Instagram keeps logging you out: test your connection
On the same device, first try your own Wi Fi and then mobile data. Use the same app and the same account during the test. This way, you change only one thing at a time.
Are you using a VPN? This is a service that routes your internet traffic through another connection. If appropriate, briefly test without a VPN on a trusted network. Do not do this on public Wi Fi if you need the VPN specifically for that reason.
The Dr.Fone checklist for Instagram that keeps logging out mentions temporary app files, network, and VPN as possible checkpoints. This does not mean your VPN is the cause.
Do you stay logged in only through mobile data? Note that difference. It helps you investigate your connection further, but it is not proof that your account is unsafe.
Instagram logs you out everywhere: view your logged in devices
Are you logged out on multiple devices? Check which devices have access to your account. Using multiple devices yourself does not in itself indicate a problem.
In Instagram settings, look for the Accounts Centre. Under security, check your logged in devices or login activity. This is the overview of logins to your account. The section may be called ‘Where you are logged in’, for example. The name and location may vary by version.
Cannot find the overview? Search Instagram Help for ‘login activity’ or ‘logged in devices’.
Check each login for:
- Whether you recognize the device or browser.
- Whether the time matches when you used Instagram.
- Whether you used an old phone or shared computer.
Do not look only at the place name. A location based on your internet connection is not always precise. Do you see an unknown device and activity that is not yours? Then follow the steps below.
Instagram logs you out with unusual activity: secure your account
Change your password if you see an unknown login, find messages you did not post yourself, or notice that your account details have changed. Simply being logged out repeatedly is not a reason to choose a new password every time.
- Choose a new, unique password. Use a password that you do not use anywhere else.
- Log out unknown devices. Do this in the overview of logged in devices, if you can still access it.
- Check your recovery details. Check whether the linked email address and phone number are still yours.
- Turn on two factor authentication. You will then need an extra confirmation in addition to your password to sign in. Store any recovery codes in a safe place outside your phone.
- Check linked services. Revoke access for apps you do not recognize or no longer use.
Have you entered your Instagram password into another service? Think of an app that claims to show who visits your profile. Change your password then too. Deleting only that app does not make the shared password secret again.
Cannot sign in anymore? Use the login or account recovery help from the Instagram app. Do not give your password or login codes to anyone who offers through a message to recover your account.
Instagram logs you out again immediately after signing in: what now?
Do not keep trying to sign in repeatedly. Try a regular browser once on a trusted connection. Do you stay logged in there? Then first check your logged in devices before reinstalling the app.
Does it happen in both the app and the browser, without unusual activity on your account? A temporary outage is possible. Try again later. Do you see an error message or security check? Read it first and follow the instructions within Instagram.
Does Instagram keep logging you out? Report the problem through Instagram Help as soon as you have access to it. Note these details beforehand:
- Which phone you use and which version of the app is installed on it.
- Whether it also happens in a browser.
- Whether you use Wi Fi, mobile data, or a VPN.
- Whether you are logged out immediately or only after closing the app.
- The exact error message, without passwords or login codes.
This makes it clear what you have already tried and when the problem occurs. It provides more information than simply ‘signing in does not work’. Once your account is working as intended, you can explore our Instagram services to compare packages for followers and likes for your public profile or content.
