How To Fix Issues When You Can’t Create an Instagram Account in 2025

Trying to Create a New Instagram Account? Here’s What I Learned

If you’ve been hitting a wall with creating a new Instagram account and keep getting that frustrating message about not being able to get an account, you’re not alone. It’s a common hiccup, especially these days, and from what I’ve seen, it’s often a combo of app versions, device quirks, and network issues. Honestly, I spent way too much time trying to figure this out, so here’s what finally worked for me—and what might help you avoid the same rabbit hole.

Making Sure Instagram Is Up-to-Date

First things first, check if your Instagram app is running the latest version. This seems obvious but is surprisingly overlooked. I’ve had issues where old versions just don’t communicate properly with Instagram’s servers anymore. Head over to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, Search for Instagram, and see if an update is available. Newer versions include security patches and bug fixes that can make a big difference. Just updating might clear out some weird errors during account setup.

If you’re on Android and want to go the extra mile, you can even force-update via ADB if you’re comfortable with that. On a rooted or developer phone, you could do:

adb shell pm list packages | grep com.instagram.android

and then launch the store page with:

adb shell am start -a android.intent.action. VIEW -d "https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instagram.android"

This might seem overkill, but hey, sometimes the app refuses to update silently, and this is a way to push it directly from the store—at least that’s what helped in my case. Be aware, though: depending on your device or OS version, these commands might behave differently or be disabled.

Check Your Device and Network Settings

Once the app is current, it’s time to look into your device. Make sure your connection is solid. A flaky Wi-Fi or Cellular network can mess with account creation, especially if Instagram detects inconsistent IP addresses. I had this happen on my older ASUS phone—if your network keeps dropping or bouncing between VPNs and local IPs, it might flag your account creation as suspicious.

Also, if you’re connected to a VPN—disabling it temporarily is often the key. Instagram gets picky about VPNs—if it sees an IP that’s bouncing or from a suspicious location, it may block new sign-ups. Disconnect the VPN, or switch to a different network altogether.

On Android, check if your device is on the latest OS version—head into Settings > About Phone > Software Updates. On iPhone, it’s Settings > General > Software Update. Running outdated OS versions can cause compatibility issues, especially with newer app policies.

If you’re into Developer Options, with Android, you might want to confirm that OEM unlocking is turned off — in some cases, enabling it can cause weird app restrictions. Enable Developer Mode by tapping the build number in About Phone seven times, then go into Settings > System > Developer options and double-check these settings.

Updating Firmware

Sometimes the root cause is the OS itself. On Android, check for system updates regularly; same on iOS. These updates patch security issues and improve overall system stability, which can influence how apps like Instagram behave during sign-up. I found that updating the OS helped resolve some of those errors that just wouldn’t go away.

Clear Cache and Data — It’s Surprisingly Helpful

After everything’s current, I’d recommend clearing the Instagram app cache and data. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage—then hit Clear Cache and Clear Data. Keep in mind, clearing data resets the app to a fresh state, so you’ll need to log in again, but it wipes out corrupted files or residual info that might be blocking new account creation.

On iOS, you can’t clear cache directly without uninstalling. So, delete the app and reinstall it fresh from the App Store. It’s a pain, but I’ve seen this fix stubborn registration issues more than once.

Permissions Matter

Next, check that Instagram has all the necessary permissions. Sometimes, restrictions here can block features, including account creation. Dive into your device’s permissions settings—on Android, Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions, and on iOS, Settings > Instagram > Permissions. Make sure it’s got access to storage, camera, microphone, and internet. I’ve seen accounts get blocked or stuck because the app couldn’t access some basic permissions.

Reinstall or Update the App

If clearing cache/data and permissions hasn’t helped, do a full uninstall and reinstall. It’s worth doing because sometimes the installation gets corrupted or isn’t the latest version. Download from the store again, or if you’re techy, sideload an APK on Android (but only from trustworthy sources!).Doing this wipe-and-reinstall helped me clear sneaky bugs.

Final Push: Try Creating the Account Again

After all that, reboot your device properly—not just a quick toggle—hold down the power button and select restart. Then, open Instagram and give creating the account another shot. Use a different email or phone number—sometimes, the system flags previous attempts or suspicious activity associated with your device or IP. Also, pick a username that isn’t already taken; if it’s blocked or seems suspicious, it can cause issues.

If it’s still not working, give it a few hours or even a day. Instagram sometimes blocks new account creation temporarily if it detects rapid or suspicious sign-up activity. Switching Wi-Fi networks, resetting your router (which changes your public IP), or even ensuring your device time is synced correctly can help. On Android and iOS, head into Settings > Date & Time and toggle on automatic date/time — mismatches here can look suspicious to Instagram’s security algorithms.

Honestly, this whole process was a bit of a mess at first, but after updating everything, resetting permissions, and changing networks, it finally went through. Hope this helps someone else avoid wasting 3am trying to figure it out. It’s not always straightforward—and sometimes, Instagram just needs a bit of a reset on their end. Good luck, and don’t give up!