When it was launched, Instagram followed the mobile-first approach, which meant that desktop features were quite limited. With time, the desktop version has steadily improved and today, though it might not be as used as the mobile app, it does offer a lot of functionality.
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t currently allow users to easily switch between accounts — but there’s a quick way around this problem. Here’s how to switch between Instagram accounts on desktop.
Switching between Instagram accounts on desktop
In order to switch between accounts, you need to set them up. If you only have one account but want to create more (for a hobby, pet, side-gig, or for your closest friends), follow these steps on your mobile app:
- 1. Go to the small circle in the top right corner of the screen that displays your profile image.
- 2. Choose “Settings”
- 3. At the bottom of the page, click on “Add Account”
- 4. Choose a username and password
- 5. Log In
Normally in the mobile app, switching between these accounts is a relatively simple process of the interface. All you need to do is go to your profile picture at the top right and tap on the account you’d like to switch to. On desktop, however, you won’t find this option anywhere.
That’s not very practical, since many people still prefer managing their accounts from a bigger screen and, in the case of business social media managers, using the desktop version of Instagram is much more convenient.
Perhaps one day Instagram will add this option to its desktop version because as it is now you have to sign out from your current account and log into the other one. This option is tedious, time-consuming, and forgetting one of your passwords makes switching a nuisance.
Use different browsers for different accounts
Another trick that people use is logging into separate accounts from different browsers. So for example, you can keep your personal Instagram account into Chrome and your side gig account into Firefox. That’s not a bad option, but it doesn’t work if your number of Instagram accounts exceeds the number of browsers installed on your laptop or PC, or if one of the browsers doesn’t have the same plugins or security features.
Final option: install a third party software
Until Instagram offers users an easier way of switching between accounts on desktop just like on mobile, the best option is to install a third-party software for social media management.
There are many options to choose from, some free, some paid, and it all depends on the kind of page you’re managing and your long-term goals for it. For example, if you have a couple of personal Instagram accounts, a free, basic version of the software will do. But if you’re managing multiple business accounts on Instagram, it’s best to invest in a paid tool that also offers extra features such as post scheduling or detailed analytics. This way, Instagram on desktop becomes as easy and intuitive as Instagram on mobile.
