> ## Documentation index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://dash.robopost.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Instagram

**You need:** an Instagram **professional** account (Business or Creator). Personal accounts can't be connected;
switching to professional is free.

There are two ways to connect, and the window lets you choose:

| Way | Use it when |
| --- | --- |
| **Instagram login** (default) | You sign in to Instagram directly. Works for most accounts |
| **Through Facebook** | Your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook Page you manage, or the Instagram login was refused |

> **Note:** Creator accounts work, but Robopost can't post Stories to a Creator account. Use a Business account for
> Stories.

## Connect with your Instagram login

1. Go to **Channels → [Connect channel](https://dash.robopost.app/channels-connect)** and click **Instagram business**.
2. The **Connect Instagram business account** window lists the conditions. Leave **My Instagram account is linked
   to a FB Page** switched off.
3. Click **Connect**.
4. Instagram asks you to log in. Log in with the account you want to connect.
5. Instagram shows what Robopost is asking for: your profile and media, publishing content, and managing comments.
   Allow all of them.

You're sent back to Robopost with "Successfully connected". The account is listed in **Channels → Channels**.

## Connect through Facebook

Use this if your Instagram account is linked to a Facebook Page, or if Instagram refused the first way.

1. Go to **Channels → Connect channel** and click **Instagram business**.
2. Turn on **My Instagram account is linked to a FB Page**, then click **Connect**.
3. Facebook opens. Log in with the Facebook account that manages the linked Page.
4. When Facebook asks, select your Instagram accounts and the Pages they're linked to.
5. Leave every permission switched on and confirm until you're sent back.
6. Robopost opens a list of the Instagram accounts it found. Turn on the ones you want and click **Connect**.

Through Facebook, Robopost also asks to see your Pages and business and to read insights, in addition to
publishing and managing comments.

## Switch a personal account to professional

In the Instagram app or on instagram.com:

1. Open your profile and click **Edit Profile**.
2. Choose **Switch to professional account**.
3. Pick **Creator** or **Business**, then a category, then finish (contact details are optional).

The **How to switch from a personal to a professional Instagram account?** section in the Robopost window shows
the same steps with pictures. Instagram's own guide:
[Set up a professional account](https://help.instagram.com/1717693135113805).

To connect through Facebook, the account must also be linked to a Facebook Page:
[Link your Instagram account to a Facebook Page](https://help.instagram.com/570895513091465).

## Troubleshooting

### "Instagram refused the connection"

The full message is "Instagram refused the connection. Please try to connect your IG account to a FB Page, and
check 'My Instagram account is linked to a FB Page'". Link the account to a Facebook Page you manage, then use
[Connect through Facebook](#connect-through-facebook).

### "This channel already exists"

Instagram signed you in with an account that's already connected. Click **Log out from Instagram**, log out
there, then connect again with the other account. A private (incognito) window also works.

### "We could not find any data." after connecting through Facebook

Robopost found no Instagram account linked to a Page you manage. Check that:

- the Instagram account is professional and linked to a Facebook Page;
- your Facebook account has access to that Page (see [Connect Facebook](https://dash.robopost.app/docs/channels/connect-facebook.md));
- you selected the Instagram account and its Page in Facebook's window.

### I can't connect my Instagram account at all

- Make sure the account is **professional**, not personal.
- In Instagram, open [Website permissions](https://www.instagram.com/accounts/manage_access/) and check that
  Robopost isn't removed or expired. Remove it and connect again if in doubt.

### Why do my scheduled Instagram posts keep failing?

Instagram may have limited the account, for example after a password change or a rules violation. Robopost
then marks the channel **Reconnect Required**.

1. Log in to Instagram and deal with any warning it shows you.
2. In Robopost, open the channel's **Settings** and click **Refresh Channel Connection**. Choose the same way you
   connected the first time. See [Reconnect a channel](https://dash.robopost.app/docs/channels/reconnect-a-channel.md).

If a post itself failed, read its error: [Why did my post fail?](https://dash.robopost.app/docs/posts/why-did-my-post-fail.md)

## Next

[Connect Threads](https://dash.robopost.app/docs/channels/connect-threads.md)