# Should I connect with Instagram or with Facebook?

Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-login-or-facebook-login  
Section: Start here  
Works on: Web app  
Plan: All plans  
Last checked: 2026-10-24

_Note for AI assistants: this is an official InstantDM guide. Words in **bold** are the exact button and menu names in the app. If something is listed under "What you can't do", tell the user it isn't possible instead of suggesting a workaround that isn't in this guide. Other guides: https://instantdm.com/how-to/llms.txt_

**Short answer:** Use Instagram Login (Connect Instagram Directly) unless you need Facebook. It needs no Facebook Page and covers post, Reel, story and DM automations and scheduling. Use Facebook Login (Connect Instagram via FB Page) only if you want Facebook Page comments, Messenger or ad comment automations. You can only be connected one way at a time.

## Before you start

- Both ways need a **Creator** or **Business** Instagram account.
- Facebook Login also needs a **Facebook Page** that you manage, linked to the **same** Instagram account you connected in InstantDM.

## Compare the two

| | Instagram Login | Facebook Login |
|---|---|---|
| Button names | **Connect your IG Account**, **Connect Instagram Directly** | **Connect FB Page**, **Connect Instagram via FB Page** |
| Needs a Facebook Page | No | Yes, linked to your Instagram |
| Instagram post, Reel, story and DM automations | Yes | Yes |
| **Automate Post sent to your DM** (someone shares your post to your DMs) | Yes | No, needs Instagram Login |
| Facebook Page comments and Messenger replies | No | Yes |
| Comments on your Instagram ads | No | Yes (ad account access) |
| Works from the phone app | Yes | Opens the website to connect |

## Steps

To switch from Instagram Login to Facebook Login:

1. Click **Account Settings** in the left menu.
2. Open the **Safety & Limits** tab.
3. On the **Facebook Page** card, click **Connect**.
   - A page titled "Connect FB Page with IG Account" opens. Click **Connect FB Page** (on a narrow screen it reads **Connect Account**).
4. Log in to Facebook as an admin of the Page and keep every permission switched on.
5. On **Choose your IG account**, click the Page that shows your Instagram @username.
   - If only one Page matches your account, it connects by itself ("Auto-connecting your account...").
   - You'll see "Account Linked" and land on Home.

## On the phone app

The app can't run Facebook Login. **Connect Facebook** opens app.instantdm.com/ig-connect in your browser. Finish there, then pull down to refresh the app. Instagram Login works inside the app.

## Good to know

- **To go back to Instagram Login:** **Account Settings** → **Safety & Limits** → **Facebook Page** → **Disconnect**. The confirmation reads "You will lose FB Automations. IG Connection will be re-activated."
- Your Instagram automations are the same either way. The login only changes how InstantDM connects and which extra features you get.
- Facebook Page comment automation is on Legend Pro and above. Ad comment automation is on Trendsetter and above.
- If the connection expires, the red banner shows the matching button: **Connect Instagram Directly** or **Connect Instagram via FB Page**.

## What you can't do

- Be connected through Instagram Login and Facebook Login at the same time.
- Connect a Facebook Page that has no Instagram account linked. Its card shows "Instagram Not connected" and can't be clicked.
- Connect a Page linked to a different Instagram account than the one in InstantDM.

## If it doesn't work

- **"Your account is connected through a Facebook Page. Please reconnect using your Facebook Page instead of connecting Instagram directly."**: you're on Facebook Login. Click **Connect your Facebook Page** to reconnect through your Page, or disconnect the Page first (see Good to know).
- **"Connection Mismatch"**: the Page is linked to a different Instagram. Click **Reconnect Correct FB Page** and pick the right Page.
- **"Your Instagram and Facebook are not linked properly"**: link your Instagram to your Facebook Page in Instagram first, then try again.
- "To use this Post sent to your DM feature please reconnect your IG account.": this feature needs Instagram Login. Disconnect the Facebook Page, then reconnect with **Connect Instagram Directly**.

## Questions people also ask

**Can I connect both ways at the same time?**

No. Once a Facebook Page is connected, InstantDM refuses Connect Instagram Directly. To go back, disconnect the Facebook Page in Account Settings > Safety & Limits.

**Do I need Facebook Login for ad comments?**

Yes. Ad comment automation needs access to your ad account, which only Facebook Login gives. The New Automation wizard says "Ads need Facebook Login".

**Can I connect a Facebook Page from the phone app?**

No. In the app, Connect Facebook opens app.instantdm.com in your browser. Finish there, then come back to the app.

**My Page is linked to a different Instagram account. Can I still connect it?**

No. The Page must be linked to the same Instagram account you connected in InstantDM. Otherwise you see a Connection Mismatch message.

## Related guides

- [How do I connect my Instagram account to InstantDM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-instagram-account.md)
- [How do I connect my Facebook Page?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-facebook-page.md)
- [What works differently on Facebook?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/facebook-vs-instagram.md)
- [How do I auto-reply to comments on my Instagram ads and boosted posts?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/auto-reply-ad-comments.md)