Regain Access to a Hacked Instagram Account: A Practical, Independent Guide (Australia)

Regain Access to a Hacked Instagram Account: A Practical, Independent Guide (Australia)

If you think your Instagram account has been hacked or compromised, the priority is to act calmly and follow the official steps in the right order. This guide explains the common signs of compromise, the immediate actions you can take, and what to expect from Instagram’s recovery process.

Important note: SafetyNet Cyber Security is an independent Australian cyber security business. We are not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, or Facebook. We provide third-party guidance to help you use the official recovery and appeal processes. Meta makes the final decision on account access and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Has your Instagram been compromised? We're here to help: swiftly and securely.

Why acting quickly matters (without panic)

Losing access to a social media account is stressful. In some cases, a compromised Instagram account can also be linked to broader risks such as email compromise, impersonation attempts, or unauthorised access to other accounts.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre has reported high volumes of cybercrime reports in Australia in recent years.

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Step 1: Confirm whether your account is compromised

Common signs include:

• Your email or phone number was changed without your consent
• Your username, name, bio, or profile photo changed unexpectedly
• Unknown posts, stories, or DMs were sent
• You received login alerts from locations/devices you don’t recognise
• You can no longer log in using your usual method

If you suspect compromise, consider warning close contacts not to click links sent from your account until you regain control.

Step 2: Immediate actions to take

1) Check if you’re still logged in anywhere

If you’re logged in on any device (phone, tablet, or browser), you may be able to:

• change your password, and
• review account settings and security options.

2) Secure the email account linked to Instagram

Instagram recovery often depends on your email. If your email is compromised, recovery becomes much harder.

Minimum checks:

• change your email password
• enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
• check forwarding rules and “blocked senders” lists (so Instagram emails aren’t being silently filtered).

3) Make sure your device is clean and updated

Before submitting recovery requests:

• update the Instagram app
• update your phone’s operating system
• avoid using public Wi-Fi for recovery steps if possible.

Step 3: Follow Instagram’s official recovery process

A) Identify your account

Use your email, phone number, or username on the Instagram login screen.
If your details have been changed, ask a friend to look up your profile and confirm the current username.

B) Attempt a password reset

Use Instagram’s password reset process. If you can’t access the email/phone linked to the account, follow the prompts for “need more help” or equivalent recovery options.

C) Complete verification steps carefully

Instagram may ask for:

• additional security confirmations, and/or
• identity verification (including video selfie verification in some cases).

Be accurate and consistent. Submitting incorrect information can slow the process.

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Common issue: selfie video upload problems

Some people experience video upload errors during verification. If this happens:

• ensure you’re on stable internet (try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data)
• update the Instagram app
• restart your phone
• try again later if Instagram’s servers are under load.

Step 4: After you regain access, secure the account immediately

Once you’re back in:

• set a new, strong password (unique to Instagram)
• confirm your email and phone number are correct
• enable 2FA (prefer an authenticator app where possible)
• review login activity and remove unknown devices
• check connected apps and revoke anything you don’t recognise.

If the compromise involved financial scams or impersonation, consider notifying your bank and reporting the incident through appropriate channels.

Need help navigating the process?

SafetyNet Cyber Security provides paid, independent guidance for:

• Hacked Instagram account recovery
• Disabled Instagram account recovery

We guide you through Meta’s official recovery and appeal steps and help you secure your accounts afterwards. We do not bypass security, impersonate Meta, or use “inside access”. Meta makes the final decision on account outcomes.

Contact SafetyNet Cyber Security
Phone: 0434 791 357 (Nick)
Email: nick@safetynetcyber.com.au
Or complete our enquiry form and tell us what you’re seeing on-screen.

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