How to Recover Your hacked Instagram Account

Introduction

Losing access to your Instagram account can be one of the most stressful experiences for an influencer. Not only is your content at risk, but your reputation, partnerships, and community trust can also be affected.

Hackers often target influencer accounts because they hold value, from brand collaborations to personal data. The good news is that Instagram provides official recovery tools, and with a few extra steps, you can regain control safely.

Here is a step-by-step guide to recovering your account and keeping it protected afterward.

1. Start the Recovery Process Through Instagram

Go to instagram.com/hacked on your computer or mobile browser.
Select "My account was hacked", then click Next and follow the instructions.

You will be asked to enter your username, email, or phone number linked to your account. Instagram will then guide you through the next steps to confirm ownership.

This is the only official method of recovery. Avoid using third-party services that claim to restore hacked accounts, as many are scams designed to collect your data.

2. Check Your Email for Security Alerts

If your email address was changed by the hacker, look for a message from security@mail.instagram.com with the subject "Your Instagram email address has been changed."

If you see this message, click "Revert this change" or "Secure my account" immediately to undo the hacker's actions.
If the email is not in your inbox, check your spam or junk folders.

Catching this step early can often restore access before further damage is done.

3. Request a Security Code or Recovery Link

If you cannot log in normally, try resetting your password using the "Forgot password?" option on the login page.

• Enter your username, email, or phone number.

• Tap "Can't reset your password?" or "Need more help?"

• Request a security code via your registered email or phone number.

If you cannot access your registered contact information, choose "I can't access this email or phone number" and follow the prompts to verify your identity another way.

4. Verify Your Identity with a Video Selfie

If standard recovery options fail, Instagram may ask you to confirm your identity with a video selfie.

This step involves turning your head in different directions while recording a short video. Instagram uses facial recognition to confirm ownership, and the video is deleted after 30 days.

For professional or creator accounts, once you regain access, immediately check your email, phone number, and linked apps to ensure they have not been changed by the hacker.

5. Use Meta Verified Support for Faster Help

Influencers who have a Meta Verified subscription can access faster recovery through direct support.

• Subscribe to Meta Verified on Instagram or Facebook for priority assistance.

• Once verified, open the Help Centre and start a live chat with a Meta agent.

• Explain the situation clearly. The agent may send a recovery link to your verified email address.

This feature provides quicker turnaround times and adds an extra layer of protection for professional accounts.

6. Secure Your Account After Recovery

Once you regain access, lock down your account immediately to prevent another breach.

• Create a strong new password: Use a unique combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Use an authentication app like Google Authenticator or Authy instead of SMS.

• Revoke access to suspicious apps: Go to Settings → Security → Apps and Websites and remove any that you do not recognise.

• Secure your email account: Update its password and enable 2FA.

• Check login activity: Review all logged-in devices and remove any unknown ones.

💡 For more proactive safety tips, check our blog on How to Keep Your Instagram Account Safe as an Influencer to learn advanced ways to prevent future hacks.

7. Inform Your Followers and Partners

Once your account is secure, let your community know what happened to prevent confusion or further damage.

Post an update from your verified or backup account and explain that your main account was compromised but has now been recovered.
Ask followers to ignore any messages or posts sent during the hack and assure them that your account is safe again.

If you have ongoing brand collaborations, contact your partners directly to explain the situation and reassure them that their campaigns remain secure.

8. Prevent Future Hacks

Influencers are frequent targets because their accounts hold high visibility and commercial value. Preventing another breach is about consistent digital hygiene.

• Regularly change your passwords every few months.

• Avoid sharing login details with team members or managers unless absolutely necessary.

• Never log in from public Wi-Fi without a VPN.

• Keep your phone and apps updated for security patches.

• Be cautious with giveaway collaborations or third-party management links.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to recover a hacked Instagram account?
A. It can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, depending on how quickly you verify your identity and whether you use Meta Verified support.

2. Can Meta Verified users recover accounts faster?
A. Yes. Meta Verified members can connect directly with a support agent via live chat, which usually speeds up recovery.

3. What should I do if I cannot access my recovery email or phone number?
A. Use the "Need more help?" option on the login page and choose identity verification via video selfie.

4. How can I prevent my account from getting hacked again?
A. Enable two-factor authentication, use strong passwords, and regularly review your login devices and third-party apps.

5. Should I announce publicly that my account was hacked?
A. Yes, once it is recovered. Inform your followers and collaborators to ignore any suspicious messages or posts made during the hack