How to Unlink Instagram and Facebook: A Definitive Guide

So, you’re ready to sever the digital tether between your Instagram and Facebook accounts? Excellent choice! Perhaps you’re craving more privacy, streamlining your social media management, or simply prefer to keep your online worlds separate. Whatever your reason, unlinking these accounts is a straightforward process, and this guide will walk you through it step-by-step. You can unlink Instagram and Facebook through the Instagram app or through the Facebook website. This article provides you with the know-how to do both and includes the answers to frequently asked questions.

Unlinking Your Accounts: The How-To

There are two primary methods for unlinking your Instagram and Facebook accounts, and each has its nuances. We’ll explore both, ensuring you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Method 1: Unlinking Through the Instagram App

This is generally the preferred method for most users, as it’s quick and easily accessible directly from your mobile device.

1. Open the Instagram app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Navigate to your profile: Tap your profile picture icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
3. Access the menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) in the top right corner of your profile.
4. Go to Settings: From the menu, select “Settings.”
5. Find “Account Center”: Scroll down and tap on “Account Center.” This is where Instagram and Facebook account connections are managed.
6. Manage Connected Accounts: Within Account Center, you’ll see a section displaying your linked accounts. Tap on the Facebook account you want to unlink.
7. Remove the Account: Select the option that says something along the lines of “Remove from Account Center.”
8. Confirm Your Decision: Instagram will likely present a confirmation screen to ensure you truly want to unlink the accounts. Read the information carefully and tap “Remove” or “Continue” to proceed.
9. Final Confirmation: You’ll be asked to confirm one last time. Tap “Remove” to finalize the process.

Method 2: Unlinking Through the Facebook Website

While less commonly used, unlinking via the Facebook website is a viable option, particularly if you’re managing accounts on a desktop computer.

1. Log in to Facebook: Open your web browser and go to Facebook.com. Log in to the account that’s linked to your Instagram profile.
2. Navigate to Settings & Privacy: Click on the down-arrow icon in the top right corner of the screen and select “Settings & Privacy.” Then, choose “Settings.”
3. Find “Linked Accounts”: In the left-hand menu, scroll down until you find the section related to “Linked Accounts” or “Accounts Center.”
4. Access Account Center: Click on “Account Center.”
5. Manage Connected Accounts: Here, you’ll see the accounts linked to your Facebook profile. Locate your Instagram account.
6. Remove the Account: Similar to the Instagram app, you’ll find an option to remove the Instagram account. Click the appropriate button (e.g., “Remove from Account Center”).
7. Confirm Your Decision: Facebook will ask you to confirm your decision. Review the information and click “Remove” or “Continue.”
8. Final Confirmation: A final confirmation prompt will appear. Click “Remove” to complete the unlinking process.

Important Considerations After Unlinking

• Cross-posting will stop: After unlinking, any automatic cross-posting of content (e.g., Instagram posts to Facebook) will cease.
• Login implications: If you were using your Facebook account to log into Instagram, you’ll need to set up a separate password for your Instagram account if you haven’t already. You might also want to consider setting up two-factor authentication for increased security.
• Business Accounts: If you’re managing a business Instagram account linked to a Facebook page, unlinking might affect certain features related to advertising and analytics. Be sure to review your business settings after unlinking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most common questions regarding unlinking Instagram and Facebook accounts:

FAQ 1: What happens to my Instagram posts that were previously shared on Facebook?

Nothing happens! Unlinking your accounts doesn’t retroactively delete any posts that were already shared on Facebook. Those posts will remain on your Facebook timeline unless you manually delete them. The unlinking only prevents future automatic cross-posting.

FAQ 2: Can I still share individual Instagram posts to Facebook after unlinking?

Yes! Unlinking prevents automatic sharing. You can still manually share individual posts to Facebook by tapping the three dots (…) on a post and selecting the option to share to Facebook. This gives you more control over what appears on your Facebook timeline.

FAQ 3: I can’t find the “Account Center” option. What should I do?

Ensure that both your Instagram and Facebook apps are updated to the latest version. The Account Center is a relatively new feature, and older versions of the app might not have it. If you’re still having trouble, try clearing the app’s cache and data, or reinstalling the app.

FAQ 4: Will unlinking my accounts delete my Instagram or Facebook account?

Absolutely not. Unlinking simply breaks the connection between the two accounts. Your Instagram and Facebook accounts will remain active and independent of each other. No data will be deleted.

FAQ 5: I use Facebook to log into Instagram. What happens after unlinking?

If you’ve been using your Facebook credentials to log into Instagram, you’ll need to create a separate password for your Instagram account. You can do this by tapping “Forgot Password?” on the Instagram login screen and following the instructions.

FAQ 6: I have multiple Instagram accounts linked to my Facebook account. Can I unlink them individually?

Yes! The “Account Center” will display all linked Instagram accounts. You can selectively unlink each one individually. Simply repeat the unlinking process for each account you wish to separate.

FAQ 7: Will my Facebook friends still be able to find me on Instagram after unlinking?

Yes, if your Instagram account is public or if they already follow you. Unlinking doesn’t affect whether your Instagram profile is discoverable through Facebook’s friend suggestions if your privacy settings allow it. However, they won’t be able to automatically find you through the linked accounts feature.

FAQ 8: How do I prevent Facebook from suggesting my Instagram account to my Facebook friends after unlinking?

Review your Instagram privacy settings. Specifically, look for settings related to “Suggest similar accounts” or “Connect to Facebook.” Disabling these options will reduce the likelihood of Facebook suggesting your Instagram account to your Facebook friends.

FAQ 9: I accidentally unlinked the wrong account. How do I relink them?

You can relink your accounts through either the Instagram app or the Facebook website, following similar steps to the unlinking process, but choosing the option to “Connect” or “Link Accounts” instead of “Remove.”

FAQ 10: I have a business Instagram account linked to a Facebook page. Will unlinking affect my ads?

Potentially, yes. Unlinking your accounts will break the connection between your Instagram business profile and your Facebook page. This can impact your ability to run ads that target both platforms simultaneously. You may need to re-establish the connection for advertising purposes. Carefully consider the implications for your advertising campaigns before unlinking a business account.

FAQ 11: Is there a limit to how many times I can unlink and relink my accounts?

While there isn’t a publicly stated hard limit, excessively unlinking and relinking your accounts in a short period might trigger security alerts or temporary restrictions. It’s best to unlink or relink only when necessary.

FAQ 12: What should I do if I’m still having trouble unlinking my accounts?

If you’ve followed the steps outlined above and are still experiencing difficulties, consider contacting Instagram or Facebook support directly. They can provide personalized assistance based on your specific account setup and any potential technical issues.

By following these steps and considering the information provided in these FAQs, you’ll be well-equipped to successfully unlink your Instagram and Facebook accounts, giving you greater control over your social media experience. Good luck!