Can you pass on your Instagram account when you die?
Meta Platforms reviews requests about an Instagram account after a death case by case. While alive, the account holder can use authorized users.
Protecting Instagram accounts while the account is active
Beneficiary designation available, lifetime transfer options for accounts, and 7-step plan.
How to protect your Instagram account while you are alive →Someone died. Handling Instagram accounts after a death
Transfer is handled on a case-by-case basis, 6-step process, and 5 required documents.
What happens to an Instagram account when someone dies →Instagram is Meta's photo and video sharing network, holding personal posts, Reels, Stories and direct messages, and for creators and businesses, professional profiles, followers, Instagram Shops and monetization earnings.
Meta Platforms decides what happens to an Instagram account after a death case by case; its terms promise no transfer. While the account holder is alive, Meta Platforms allows authorized users.
What happens to Instagram at death
Naming who acts after a death
- Legacy contact
A legacy contact, named in advance, can update the profile picture and see and manage tags after the profile is memorialized, and can download a copy of content the holder shared where the holder gave that permission. The holder must be 18 or older to select one.3, 4
Other companies and product lines involved1
- Facebook / Meta
The Facebook profile, Facebook Legacy Contact, Meta Pay, ad accounts and Facebook creator earnings2
Meta Platforms publishes its own process for a deceased person's account: Report a deceased person's profile on Instagram (memorialization or removal request); a request goes in through Meta Platforms' online form. Instagram lets the account holder name, in advance, who may act on the account after a death, through Legacy contact.
Sources
Data sourced from Meta Platforms, Inc. primary sources (8 pages reviewed). How we research.
Instagram customer support
Instagram Help Center
Website
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