High-security systems are crucial in protecting social media accounts. However, recent cases of compromised accounts have brought into focus the need to enable two-factor authentication. 2FA has proven an important addition in protecting Instagram from cyber attacks. However, if one loses access to their phone, email, or backup codes, they could find themselves locked out of their Instagram accounts.
Many users are faced with such issues and look for ways to regain their access. Fortunately, there are ways that can be used to recover an account that has been locked due to 2FA. Five easy steps that users can follow when their account has been locked due to 2FA are explained in this article. In addition, there is an explanation for the functionality of 2FA, along with steps that can be taken to avoid such occurrences.
Is It Possible to Turn Off Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram Even If I’m Not Currently Logged In?
Yes, it is possible to remove the 2FA from an Instagram account without an active login. To edit or turn off the two-factor authentication method on Instagram, the user needs to log in.
If login is not possible, so that you can regain control of the account before turning off 2FA, you can use official methods of recovering an account using backup codes, phone verification, or email verification. The backup codes can be generated in the account settings when 2FA is turned on for Instagram. These backup codes can be used when you cannot receive SMS or through an authenticator app.
If there are no other avenues of recovery available, move ahead with the appeal process.
Instagram 2FA Comparison
Within this section, several approaches available on Instagram are discussed in which individuals are able to get their account restored after they are locked out due to 2FA.
Recovery Methods Comparison Table
| Societal Method | Success Rate | Timeframe | Cost | Technical Complexity |
| Facebook Account | 94% | Instant | $0 | Low |
| Trusted Contacts | 58% | 2–72 hours | $0 | Medium |
| Meta Verified | 89% | 6-48h | $14.99/mo | Low |
| Privacy Request | 67% | 14-45 days | $0 | High |
| Video Selfie | 8% | 24 hours | 0 | Medium |
5 Ways to Regain Access to Your Instagram Account
1. Obtain Backup Codes from Linked Facebook Accounts
In cases where the Insta account is connected with Facebook, the backup codes may be accessed through Facebook. These codes relate to Insta and help to log in when 2FA lockouts occur.
Steps:
- Login using the Facebook account that is linked. If not, log in.
- Go to Facebook’s Accounts Center (Settings or accountscenter.facebook.com).
- Click on Password & security > Two-Factor Authentication, then choose Two-Factor Authentication for Facebook.
- Select the Instagram account from the list.
- Under Additional methods, select Backup Codes and then select Backup Codes.
- Log into your Instagram through the codes displayed. If all codes are finished, new codes can be generated.
Notes: This recovery method can only be used for accounts that have already been connected with a Facebook account. It would appear that it is best to have multiple backup codes, because each time the codes for 2FA or passwords change, a new code replaces the old one. Some people claim that they need codes for the first log-in attempt as well as further login attempts.
2. Identity Validation through Trusted Contact
Trusted Contact Verification on Instagram requires the pre-selected contacts that you often communicate with. Recovery requires the contacted persons to respond to the verification request on time.
Steps:
- Open the Instagram hacked page at
www.instagram.com/hacked. - Select Login code issues.
- Please enter your username or email.
- A list of frequent contacts will be shown in Instagram.
- Select two contacts to help with verification.
- The contacts will receive a request within their Instagram app; after they accept, a backup code will be sent to your email.
Tips: Choose people you can contact easily in real life to avoid delays or errors requiring reverification.
3. Pay for Meta Verified Priority Support
Meta, the parent of Instagram, Threads, Reels, & Facebook, also offers its users Meta Verified services in association with a monthly subscription of $14.99. This allows customers to benefit from the account recovery process.
Steps:
- Accounts on Instagram or Facebook to be made.
- Open Account Center in the app.
- Go to Meta Verified and subscribe.
- Choose Get Support, then explain your problem, and mention the loss of 2FA and backup codes.
- Provide documentation for support (ID, time of account creation, last password used, device usage record).
- Upon approval, a temporary backup code will be issued by Meta within 24-72 hours (approval is not guaranteed and availability of Meta Verified may vary by country).
4. Processing Requests for Privacy Rights
Under GDPR or CCPA, the right to data access can be used by persons to reclaim 2FA-locked accounts. GDPR or CCPA gives individuals the right to access data that can be used to reclaim the account.
Steps:
- Go to Meta Privacy Rights Portal at
help.meta.com/support/privacy. - Click on Instagram and then on “Fix a login problem.”
- Discuss the need to regain access and ask for data access.
- Provide government-issued ID that matches account information.
- Include recent IP addresses as needed.
Tips: The problem can be phrased as a data access issue instead of a 2FA issue.
5. Video Selfie Verification
Video Selfie Verification, or complaint avenues against the regulation, can also enable use if the profile picture corresponds to the user’s actual face. Its success rate is low, especially when the account is private.
Steps:
- Launch the Instagram app.
- Click Get Help Logging In from the login screen.
- Select Use Video Selfie if asked.
- Record video of your face according to instructions.
Notes: Biometric matching could fail if the profile picture does not match the actual face and if insufficient facial information is available on public accounts for private profiles. In case of failure, a complaint can be lodged with concerned government bodies such as the FTC and BBB, and this will take around 6 to 8 weeks.
Preventive Measures after Access Restoration
Once regaining access, follow these steps to prevent future lockouts:
- Save Backup Codes Offline: Store backup codes in an offline manner (for example, using a secure notebook). To reset the codes, go to the Instagram app Settings > Password and security > Two-Factor authentication > Backup codes.
- Update Linked Phone Number & Email: Make sure both the email and phone number are up to date and available. If needed, update them to ensure that future recovery notification attempts can be made.
- Migrate to an Authenticator App: Opt instead for authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Authy over SMS 2FA options. These apps allow users to save their verification codes in the cloud while retaining control to access these codes at will.
- Connect your Instagram to Facebook: A linked Facebook account serves as another method of account recovery on Instagram. Therefore, it would be a good idea to connect other Meta apps with Instagram, like Facebook.
Conclusion: Unlocking access that has been blocked by 2FA can be quite difficult to do. This tutorial will give you not less than five ways to obtain access using backup codes, trust contacts, access via Meta Verified subscription, as well as video selfie verification and privacy rights submissions when access is blocked by 2FA.