Do I need a professional Instagram account? How do I switch?

Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android app
2 min
Last checked October 24, 2026

Short answer

Yes. InstantDM only works with a professional Instagram account, either Creator or Business. A personal account can't be connected. To switch, open the Instagram app, go to Settings and activity, then Account type and tools, and tap Switch to professional account. Switching is free and you don't need a Facebook Page.

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Instagram only lets automation tools work with professional accounts. There are two kinds: Creator and Business. Both work with InstantDM.

Before you start

You need the Instagram app on your phone, logged in to the account you want to automate.
The menu names below may be named slightly differently in your version of Instagram.

Steps

Open the Instagram app and go to your Profile.
Tap the menu icon (three lines) at the top right.
Tap Settings and activity.
Tap Account type and tools.
Tap Switch to professional account and follow Instagram’s screens.
Pick Creator or Business when Instagram asks.
Check that messages are allowed: go back to Settings and activity, open Messages and story replies, then Message controls, then Connected tools, and turn on Allow access to messages.
- You’ll see the switch turned on. InstantDM can now send DMs from your account.
Now connect your account to InstantDM.

On the phone app

These steps happen in the Instagram app, not in InstantDM. After switching, open the InstantDM app (or app.instantdm.com) and connect your account.

Good to know

You don’t need a Facebook Page to connect with Instagram Login. You only need a Page if you want Facebook Page automations or ad comment automations. See Should I connect with Instagram or with Facebook?
If Allow access to messages is off, comments can still trigger your automation, but the DMs won’t go out. You may get an email from InstantDM titled “Your Instagram DMs are turned off”.

What you can’t do

Connect a personal Instagram account to InstantDM. Instagram does not let any tool automate personal accounts.

If it doesn’t work

InstantDM says “Profile not found?” when you connect: check the account is Creator or Business (not Personal), try from a computer browser, and clear your browser cache. See Why can’t I connect my Instagram account?
Comments come in but no DMs are sent: check Allow access to messages (step 7), then see Why didn’t my automation send a DM?
You can’t find Account type and tools: menus change between Instagram versions. Look through Settings and activity for an option about your account type or a professional account.

Questions people also ask

Will I lose my posts or followers if I switch?

No. Your posts, followers and messages stay. Instagram adds professional tools such as insights and a category label. One change to know: Instagram keeps professional accounts public, so a private account becomes public when you switch.

Can I switch back to a personal account later?

Yes. In the Instagram app, the same Account type and tools menu lets you switch back. InstantDM stops working on that account while it is personal.

Should I pick Creator or Business?

Either works with InstantDM. Pick the one that describes you best. InstantDM treats both the same way.

Do I need a Facebook Page to use InstantDM?

Not for Instagram automations. Connecting with Instagram Login needs no Facebook Page. You only need a Page for Facebook Page automations and for ad comments.

What does "Allow access to messages" do?

It is an Instagram setting that lets connected tools like InstantDM send and read your DMs. If it is off, InstantDM can't send DMs.