Instagram Account Hacked? Here's How to Recover It Safely 2026

Social media plays a major part in today's generation. Everyone's morning begins with social media feeds and ends with reels. On social media, Instagram is an active platform for a free photo and video sharing application available on iPhone and Android. Here, people can upload and share photos and videos with their followers.

People also use Instagram to quickly share information. It includes breaking news and urgent needs to promote their products and to connect with creators and influencers. Instagram is a common target for hackers. You may have questioned why someone wants to hack your Instagram account. The most common reasons for an Instagram account hacked are to steal your personal information or to carry out an account takeover.

Here, we explore a major sign that your Instagram account has been hacked and how to recover it safely.

The Four Common Signs of an Instagram Account Being Hacked Are Given Below -

1. If Instagram sends an unusual login notification from an unfamiliar device or location. Consider that an unusual login notification shows that someone is trying to log in to an account.

2. Imagine your Instagram account suddenly logs out, or you try to log in to your Instagram account on your new device. If your password is rejected, you end up with a failed password. It could mean someone changed your account password and has strange activity on your feeds.

3. When your account's following list is suddenly increased, and your account follows junk profiles or unknown profiles you never chose. In addition, your friend keeps receiving continuous and weird messages from your DMs, but it does not like you.

4. The hacker changed an account's details to prevent you from controlling your Instagram account. It includes a profile photo, contact info and bio. If any changes are made in your account details, you will receive a message from the Instagram support team.

If you find this sign in your account, and receive alternative messages from the Instagram support team. That moment you can realise that your Instagram account hacked.

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Steps to Recover a Hacked Instagram Account

If an Instagram account was hacked by someone and they didn't change the password. Still has a chance to recover your hacked Instagram account.

Here are the steps to recover your Instagram account

1. Check Your Email Inbox for Any Security Messages from Instagram

The Instagram support team sends an email to a given primary email address when a new device attempts to sign in to your Instagram account. That means someone tries to change an account's password and email address.

The confirmation email will ask if these changes have been made by you and provide a link to accept or deny them. During this process, you have to select the deny option to help secure your account. At this time, you verify your email, recover a phone number, and change your password quickly.

2. Ask for the Login Link from Instagram

If an Instagram account is hacked, you can receive a login link to regain access from the Instagram support team and follow the instructions to start the recovery process.

Select the forgot password option on the login screen to begin the recovery process, and then enter the details, including username, mobile number or email address. Then select the next option or send the login link.

Select the phone number or email to send the login link and then click the next option. Select the login link in the email or text message that you received and follow the prompts to complete the process.

3. Ask for the Security Code

The login link and security code are similar, except that they require setting up two-factor authentication on your account. If you have already enabled two-factor authentication, then you can select the forgot password option on iOS devices and get help logging in on Android devices. Then request a new code.

After the request, Instagram sends the code to an authenticator application or registered phone, which allows you to log in to the account and secure the account from hacked.

4. Verify Your Identity

If you need other ways to secure your hacked Instagram account, Instagram's identity management process may require you to submit a selfie video of yourself from different angles for identity verification if your account contains photos of you on your profile page. They will compare them with the video. It helps you recover your account.

The Instagram support team can also ask additional questions about the account to verify that you're the rightful owner of the account page. It includes phone number, the device that has been used to sign up, and the email address that was used to create the account.

Tips to Prevent Your Instagram Account from Being Hacked

1. Activate Two-factor Authentication on Your Account

Two-factor authentication acts as an extra layer of security for your Instagram account. The process has various steps that require users to verify their identity using a security code.

It occurs when you try to log in to your account that prompts you to enter a code that will be emailed to you to authenticate your identity.

2. Fix a Strong Password for Your Instagram Account

Create your account with a strong and unique password to decrease the possibility of hackers hacking your personal information.

Create a password with a mix of characters, including letters, numbers, and special characters. Frequently changing your password is also a good way to secure your account.

3. Double-check Your Recovery Settings

Creating a strong password is good, but a clever thing is to make sure your email is protected. Because your accounts are linked to your email, it is used for your account recovery and to notify you of any security issues.

Every user has to provide a recovery email when opening a GI account. It's helpful to receive a password reset message to your email whenever you need to reset your password.

To Conclude

In social media, there are lots of social media accounts that are hacked and taken over. The most affected accounts are on Instagram. This walkthrough helps you to be aware that Instagram has been hacked. It includes how your Instagram account hacked, how to recover your hacked Instagram account and how to prevent your Instagram account from being hacked.

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