What happens
When a person changes their username, the old one is released. Someone else can register it, and Instagram's help page describes who can reuse a previous username.
How to act
- Open the username change screen on your account.
- Type the handle. If it is accepted, save it.
- If it is still taken, try again later.
Watch the details
Links to the old profile stop working once it is registered by someone else. Update your own links after switching.
Official sources
Platforms change their help pages and forms often. Follow the wording on your own screen and the current Help Center. Atclaim is an independent service and is not affiliated with Meta or any platform named on this site.