Skip to main content
All CollectionsAccount Setup, Settings, and Permissions
Setting up app-based two-factor authentication for Instagram for teams sharing an Instagram account
Setting up app-based two-factor authentication for Instagram for teams sharing an Instagram account
Naomi Gaeng avatar
Written by Naomi Gaeng
Updated over a week ago

Need help setting up two-factor authentication? Our team can jump on a call with you here: https://calendly.com/sked-support/connecting-accounts

Want to use Sked but also have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled on your IG account? No problem! We just need to set it up so that way not only can we access your account to post but that your team can also access it friction-free. No more texting each other for the 6 digit code to get into the IG account.

You can set up the two-factor authentication so that we can generate a two factor key on our side, the same way you would with your team.

We support app-based two-factor authentication with Instagram. This is the most secure method and recommended by Instagram. We are unable to support SMS based two factor authentication. We recommend using the free Google Authenticator app if you don't already have an authentication app installed.

If you've already set up two-factor authentication and stored your "Instagram Key" somewhere, you can update that within your Sked account. The key is in the format of 8 groups of 4 characters (letters AND numbers), like "2X4G B9X1 C1ME F5D0 Q9R4 F3V2 M2ZQ H4P6", and be sure to include the spaces (space every four characters). We cannot use the "backup codes" those are for you to keep and store in a safe place.

If you haven't set up app-based Instagram 2FA yet, follow the instructions below.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram

Step 1: From your Instagram profile, click the three lines in the top right corner. Then click Settings and privacy > Accounts Center.

Step 2: Next click Passwords and security > Two-factor authentication > and select the desired Instagram account from the list.

Step 3: Make sure that Authentication app is selected and click Next. Here Instagram will tell you how to add the key to your authenticator app. Click Copy key.

IMPORTANT! SCREENSHOT AND SAVE THIS KEY SO YOU CAN ADD IT TO SKED LATER.

Step 4: Without fully closing Instagram, open your Google Authenticator app and click the plus sign (+) in the bottom right corner. Select Enter a setup key. Name the account and paste in the key and click Add.

Step 5: Go back to Instagram and click Next. Now Instagram will prompt you to enter a code from your authenticator app. Reopen Google Authenticator, copy a code from the app, paste it here and click Next. Now your 2FA is on!

We recommend clicking the blue backup codes button and saving a copy of them for your records in case you lose or reset your phone. These are one-time overrides for two-factor login. These number-only recovery keys are different to the Instagram key. Click Done.

Step 6: Lastly, select Additional methods and make sure login requests is toggled off.

Add your 2FA Instagram key to Sked Social

Now that your Instagram 2FA is on, let's add it to Sked Social so we can autopost for you. Login to your Sked account and navigate to Manage Accounts from the dropdown in the top right.

Paste the 32 character Instagram key (including the space) into the 'Instagram, 2-factor authentication key' section of your account settings, and click save key. We will store the key securely. You will not see it displayed in settings after saving, but it will show you that one is on file: It will appear as dots.

After the key is saved, then you need to run a login check by going to "reconnect account" in blue in the top of the page.

Adding additional devices (users) to your Instagram 2FA

If you work with a team, you'll want each user to add their device to 2FA so that they don't have to rely on someone else for a code every time they log in.

Step 1: From the additional device, open Instagram and enter the login credentials. If 2FA is already on, you'll be prompted to enter a code from the authentication app of the original user.

Have the original user share a code with you one time so that you can login and add your own device to 2FA. Enter the code, click trust this device and skip this step from now on and click continue.

Step 2: From your Instagram profile, click the three lines in the top right corner. Then click Settings and privacy > Accounts Center.

Step 3: Next click Passwords and security > Two-factor authentication > and select the desired Instagram account from the list.

Step 4: You'll see that 2FA is already turned on. Click Authentication app and click the blue Add button to add your device. Give the device a name (we recommend the name or initials of the person who owns the device) and click done.

Step 5: Now Instagram will tell you how to add the key to your authenticator app. Click Copy key.

Step 6: Without fully closing Instagram, open your Google Authenticator app and click the plus sign (+) in the bottom right corner. Select Enter a setup key. Name the account and paste in the key and click Add.

Step 7: Go back to Instagram and click Next. Now Instagram will prompt you to enter a code from your authenticator app. Reopen Google Authenticator, copy a code from the app, paste it here and click Next. Now your 2FA is on!

We recommend clicking the blue backup codes button and saving a copy of them for your records in case you lose or reset your phone. These are one-time overrides for two-factor login. These number-only recovery keys are different to the Instagram key. Click Done.

Step 8: Now you'll see multiple devices listed under 2FA. Lastly, select Additional methods and make sure login requests is toggled off.

Need assistance? No worries! Set up 2FA with a Sked team member here: https://calendly.com/sked-support/connecting-accounts

Did this answer your question?