There are a few potential reasons why you may have received a message from Facebook to reset your Instagram password:
Your Instagram account was compromised
The most likely reason is that your Instagram account was compromised by a hacker or malicious third party. When this happens, Instagram will automatically lock the account and require the account owner to reset their password before regaining access.
Instagram employs automated systems that monitor account activity for suspicious behavior that could indicate a security breach. Things like an unusual login location, sudden changes to account details, or a spike in spam posting can trigger an automatic password reset prompt.
So if you received an unexpected message from Instagram to create a new password, it’s almost certainly because their security systems detected your account was hacked or hijacked. Resetting your password will secure the account and revoke access from anyone who may have obtained your login credentials illegally.
Your login details were part of a data breach
Another possibility is that your Instagram login email and password were exposed as part of a wider data breach. Data breaches unfortunately happen quite frequently, and billions of people’s credentials are stolen, bought and sold online.
If your Instagram login details were part of a breach involving another online service or website, Instagram may have been informed of the security incident. As a precaution, they will automatically reset passwords for any accounts where the credentials match those compromised in the breach.
This prevents malicious actors from accessing Instagram accounts using email and password combinations obtained from a different platform. It’s a security measure designed to protect users who may be reusing the same credentials across multiple services.
You have an inactive account
Instagram occasionally requires inactive accounts with no recent login activity to reset passwords before allowing access again. This applies to accounts that have been dormant for an extended period.
Requiring an updated password helps ensure access is being requested by the legitimate account owner, not someone who may have acquired an old, unused login. It also encourages users to refresh their credentials after prolonged inactivity as a security best practice.
Your account was reported for compromise
There is also a chance your account was reported to Instagram by another user for being potentially hacked. Instagram allows users to report compromised accounts through their app and online support forms.
When accounts are reported as hacked by friends, family members or other concerned users, Instagram will lock the account and force a password reset. This protects you in case the reporting party detected suspicious activity indicating your account was actually compromised.
You have an account on Facebook
Facebook and Instagram share infrastructure and account systems. If you have both a Facebook account and an Instagram account associated with the same email address, a security issue on Facebook may trigger a password reset requirement on Instagram as well.
Any actions on Facebook like resetting your Facebook password, enabling two-factor authentication, or reporting unusual login activity can also apply those changes to your connected Instagram account.
Suspicious login activity on your account
If Instagram detects suspicious or unusual activity on your specific account, such as logins from unknown devices or locations, they may automatically reset your password. This locks down the account and forces you to change your password to regain access.
The automated password reset stops the suspicious activity and secures your account. Once you change your password, you cut off access to anyone who may have been on your account without your consent.
Verification of account ownership
In some cases, Instagram will randomly prompt authentic account owners to verify their identity by resetting passwords. This is done to periodically confirm accounts are still under the control of the original creators.
The password reset forces you to go through the process of proving you own the account. You’ll need access to the email or phone number on file to complete the reset and connect it back to your devices.
Recent changes to your account data
If you recently made changes to sensitive account data like your email address, phone number, or username, Instagram may force a password reset to have you confirm those modifications. This prevents unauthorized changes that could enable account theft.
By prompting a password reset, Instagram ensures any account data changes were intentional and initiated by you, the rightful account owner.
How to reset your Instagram password
If you receive a sudden message from Instagram saying your password needs to be reset, don’t panic. Just follow the steps below to quickly change your password and regain access to your account:
- Open the Instagram app and tap “Forgot Password?” if prompted. Alternatively, go directly to Instagram.com from a desktop web browser.
- Enter the username or email address associated with your Instagram account when asked.
- Select the “Need more help?” option after entering your information.
- Choose the option to receive the password reset link via email or text message.
- Open the password reset email or SMS when received and click the link inside.
- You will be redirected to a page to create and confirm your new Instagram password.
- Enter a new, unique password and tap “Reset Password.”
- You should now be able to log back into Instagram with your new password.
The whole process should only take a minute or two. Resetting your password per Instagram’s instructions will quickly restore your account access.
Turning on two-factor authentication
Once you’re able to log back in, it’s highly recommended to turn on two-factor authentication for your Instagram account. Two-factor adds an extra layer of security by requiring both your password and a temporary access code generated by your mobile device to login.
With two-factor enabled, hackers won’t be able to access your account even if they have your password, making your account much more secure overall. Here are the steps to switch on two-factor:
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right.
- Select “Settings” then “Security”.
- Under “Two-Factor Authentication” tap “Get Started”.
- Select the method to receive your two-factor login codes (text message or authentication app).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the two-factor setup.
Be sure to save your two-factor authentication recovery codes in a safe place. These one-time use codes can get you back into your account if you ever lose access to your mobile device.
Use strong and unique passwords
When changing your Instagram password, always make sure you are using a strong and unique password that you don’t reuse anywhere else. Weak or recycled passwords significantly raise the risk of your account being compromised.
A strong password should have the following characteristics:
- At least 12 characters long
- Mix of lowercase, uppercase, numbers and symbols
- Don’t spell a real word or use personal info
- Completely unique from all your other passwords
You may want to consider using a password manager app to generate and store strong, randomized passwords for each of your online accounts.
Enabling two-factor authentication and using strong, unique passwords will keep your Instagram account secure after resetting your password.
Be wary of phishing attempts
When receiving any password reset notification, always double check the source to ensure it is actually from Instagram before taking action. Hackers often send phishing emails or texts pretending a password reset is required to steal login credentials.
Legitimate password reset messages will always come from an @instagram.com or @facebookmail.com email address or the official Instagram phone number.
If something seems suspicious about the notification, go directly to Instagram.com and try logging in to verify if a reset is really needed. And never enter your username or password on any website you don’t fully trust.
Review account data and activity
Once you regain access after resetting your password, perform a check of key account information to ensure nothing was modified without your knowledge:
- Profile information
- Contact email and phone number
- Account privacy settings
- Connected Facebook account
- Followers and following lists
Also scroll through your recent posts and story archive to check for any unusual uploading activity while your account was locked.
If you find anything suspicious that indicates your account was actually compromised, take steps like removing unrecognized linked accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and watch for further unauthorized account access.
Contact Instagram support if needed
If you are still locked out after attempting to reset your password multiple times, or notice signs of account misuse, reach out to the Instagram support team directly for assistance recovering and securing your account:
- In the Instagram app, go to Settings > Help > Contact Us to message support.
- Submit a request through the Instagram Help Center online.
You can contact Instagram support for any other questions or issues related to your password reset notification as well.
Conclusion
Unexpected password reset prompts from Instagram are generally sent for legitimate security reasons if unusual account activity is detected. While jarring, the password reset process allows you to securely recover and reinforce your account access.
To minimize disruption, quickly reset your password when notified and enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of account security. And be alert for any phishing attempts impersonating Instagram’s password recovery process.
With the proper precautions, an unexpected password reset notification doesn’t have to be cause for alarm. It can actually be an opportunity to enhance your Instagram account safety.