Quick answerGo to instagram.com/hacked or facebook.com/hacked and follow the official recovery flow; check your email for a message from security@mail.instagram.com or Facebook that lets you reverse an email change. If the email and phone were both changed, use the identity-verification option (video selfie or ID). Never pay "recovery agents" who contact you.
Hacked Instagram and Facebook accounts are used to run fake giveaways, crypto scams and "I'm stuck, send money" messages to your followers. Speed matters both for getting the account back and for limiting damage to people who trust you.
Step 1: check your email first
When someone changes your login email, Meta sends a message to the old address with a link to revert the change and secure your account. Search your inbox (and spam) for messages from Instagram or Facebook security and use that link.
Step 2: use the official recovery page
- On a phone or computer you've used before, go to instagram.com/hacked or facebook.com/hacked.
- Choose the option that matches your situation: password changed, email changed, or account disabled.
- Follow the prompts for a login code to your email or phone.
- If you no longer have access to either, request identity verification. Instagram may ask for a short video selfie; Facebook may ask for an ID.
Step 3: lock it down
- Set a new, unique password.
- Turn on two-factor authentication with an authenticator app.
- Review logged-in devices and remove any you don't recognise.
- Check linked email, phone, and connected apps, and remove anything the attacker added.
- Post a warning so followers ignore messages sent while the account was hijacked.
Avoid the "recovery hacker" scam
Comments and DMs offering to recover your account for a fee are scams. Only Meta can restore your account, and its recovery is free.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Instagram take to recover a hacked account?
If you use the email revert link it's immediate. Identity verification by video selfie usually takes from a few hours to a few days.
Can I recover Facebook if the hacker changed my email and phone?
Yes, go to facebook.com/hacked from a device you've used before and choose identity verification.