# Do I need a professional Instagram account? How do I switch? Guide: https://instantdm.com/how-to/switch-to-professional-account Section: Start here Works on: Web app, iPhone app, Android app 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:** 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. 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 1. Open the Instagram app and go to your **Profile**. 2. Tap the menu icon (three lines) at the top right. 3. Tap **Settings and activity**. 4. Tap **Account type and tools**. 5. Tap **Switch to professional account** and follow Instagram's screens. 6. Pick **Creator** or **Business** when Instagram asks. 7. 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. 8. Now [connect your account to InstantDM](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-instagram-account.md). ## 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?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-login-or-facebook-login.md) - 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?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/cant-connect-instagram.md) - 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?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/automation-not-sending.md) - 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. ## Related guides - [How do I connect my Instagram account to InstantDM?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/connect-instagram-account.md) - [Should I connect with Instagram or with Facebook?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/instagram-login-or-facebook-login.md) - [Why can't I connect my Instagram account?](https://instantdm.com/how-to/cant-connect-instagram.md) - [How do I set up my first automation? (Start here)](https://instantdm.com/how-to/first-automation.md)