How to contact Instagram support and get help with account-related issues

Instagram logo on phone
You can call Instagram and speak to an automated agent or use the online Help Center to get support for the app. Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images
  • You can contact Instagram support by phone at 1-650-543-4800 or via Instagram's online Help Center.

  • Users were once able to email Instagram at support@instagram.com, but that address is now defunct.

  • You can also contact Instagram to report issues, such as a copyright violation or a hacked account.

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With more than one billion active Instagram users every month, it's easy to see how a customer service arm might get overwhelmed.

Instagram has a direct line for support - their phone number is (650) 543-4800 - but it's unlikely you'll get a human response this way. And while you were once able to email Instagram support at support@instagram.com, that address is now defunct.

Instead, Instagram offers a robust help center that can answer most questions, and they make it easy for you to report issues with content you see on the site.

These functions are available for both the iPhone and Android apps, as well as through the desktop website. Here's what you need to know to contact Instagram for support or customer service issues.

How to get Instagram support through the app

  1. Open the Instagram app on your iOS or Android device.

  2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom menu bar.

    Instagram Contact 1
    Select your Instagram profile icon to begin reporting an issue. Abbey White/Insider
  3. Select the gear icon in the top-left corner of the app to access your account settings.

    Instagram Contact 2
    The gear icon in the top-left of the screen represents the settings menu. Abbey White/Insider
  4. Tap "Help Center" to access the self-service feature.

    Instagram Contact 3
    You may need to scroll to see the Help Center option. Abbey White/Insider
  5. On the Instagram Help Center page, select an issue or topic to begin resolving your problem.

    Instagram Contact 4
    A list of issues along with a column of topics are visible on the Help Center landing page. Abbey White/Insider

How to get Instagram support through the website

  1. Sign in to Instagram. You can also go directly to https://help.instagram.com to access the Help Center.

  2. Click on your profile icon in the top-right.

    Instagram Contact 5
    Your profile picture is to the right of your "heart" activity icon. Abbey White/Insider
  3. Select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.

    Instagram Contact 6
    Select the Gear icon from the drop-down. Abbey White/Insider
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Help."

    Instagram Contact 7
    The "Help" link will be between the "Jobs" and "API" links. Abbey White/Insider
  5. Select an issue or topic listed on the Help Center dashboard.

How to get help with Instagram account issues

You can also use the following guides to find support for common problems:

How to report an issue to Instagram

Instagram lets you report individual posts, specific users, and comments. Just go to any post, account, or comment on the app or desktop site, click the three horizontal dots, and select "Report" from the drop-down menu.

If you're not sure whether your issue can be reported or if someone has committed a reportable offense, review Instagram's community guidelines before using the report feature.

Here's some of what Instagram would qualify as a legitimate issue:

  • Intellectual property: Issues that follow under this grievance include users infringing on copyright - which generally protects original expression like images and words but not facts and ideas - and trademarks, defined as a word, slogan, symbol, or design made to distinguish products or services from an individual, group or company.

  • Nudity: Broadly defined as "appropriate imagery," this more controversial guideline prevents nudity of any kind on the site, with a handful of exceptions - including post-mastectomy scarring photos, individuals breastfeeding, and nudity in paintings and sculptures.

  • Hate speech: The platform will remove any content from its site that displays "credible threats of violence," but also hate speech - based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or disease - as well as bullying and harassment that target private individuals.

  • Illegal activities: Instagram will remove posts that offer specific services around sex, firearms, and drugs, in addition to removing posts or comments that "support or praise of terrorism, organized crime or hate groups."

  • Self-injury: Any content posted to the platform that appears to glorify or encourage any type of physical self-injury, including eating disorders, will be taken down - with the exception of posts that reference these issues in the name of increasing awareness or signposting support.

  • Graphic violence: Any videos or images featuring intense, graphic violence that isn't shared in relation to newsworthy events or to condemn or educate on a larger issue, will be removed for inappropriateness.

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