What can I do if Instagram says a username is unavailable but it isn't being used?

Instagram Help Center If a username you want is being used by an account that seems inactive, you can choose an available version of the username. You can add periods, numbers, underscores or abbreviations to help you come up with a username that's not already in use. To change your username, you can edit your profile.

Considering this, why can't I use an Instagram name that isn't taken?

The username you are trying to use has been used before and it is now not attached to any account but can not be used again due to the following reasons: The account owner deactivated their account permanently. The account is disabled temporarily by the owner.

One may also ask, does Instagram delete inactive accounts? Yes, Instagram tends to delete accounts that have been inactive for a prolonged period of time. I found this on their website: "We encourage people to actively log in and use Instagram once they create an account. To keep your account active, be sure to log in and share photos, as well as like and comment on photos.

Also Know, how long does it take until a deleted Instagram username becomes available again?

14 days

What do you do when your username is not available?

If a username you want is being used by an account that seems inactive, you can choose an available version of the username. You can add periods, numbers, underscores or abbreviations to help you come up with a username that's not already in use.

Related Question Answers

How often does Instagram purge?

Although there are no official statements that support this, some believe that Instagram deletes accounts if they were completely inactive for anywhere from 1 to 2 years.

What are periods in Instagram usernames?

Keep it Simple. There is a 30 symbol limit for Instagram usernames. Usernames can include letters, numbers, periods and underscores. But that doesn't mean it's an open invitation to pack it all with keywords and complicated words.

What does it mean when it says story is no longer available on Instagram?

It's a deleted story The user deleted that content and Instagram still displayed the user's profile with the orangy circle around it at the top of your feed. This is often the case when it was just deleted and you haven't refreshed Instagram.

How do you know if you've been blocked by someone on Instagram?

You can also tell if you've been blocked by looking at the follow button. If the normally blue button labeled "Follow" is replaced with a white bar that says "User Not Found," or if you can't follow regardless of how many times you tap the follow button, that person has definitely blocked you.

Can Instagram call?

Instagram's contact phone number is 650-543-4800 and their contact email is support@instagram.com, but please note it's highly likely you won't receive a response to your inquiry via these channels.

How do you get verified on Instagram?

Verified Badges

Make sure you're logged in to the account you're requesting a verified badge for.
Go to your profile by tapping in the bottom right.
Tap in the top right.
Tap Settings > Account > Request Verification.
Enter your full name and provide the required form of identification (example: government-issued photo ID).

What symbols can I use in my Instagram name?

An Instagram username is limited to 30 characters and must contain only letters, numbers, periods, and underscores. You can't include symbols or other punctuation marks as a part of your username.

Why can't I change my Instagram username?

If you are gettings change username error or won't change using app then check internet connection and update app if available. If your old username is taken by other user then you can't change back or recover to your old username. You will also able to change or edit your name in edit profile option.

Can you ask Instagram for a username?

If a username you want is being used by an account that seems inactive, you can choose an available version of the username to use on Instagram. You can add periods, numbers, underscores or abbreviations to help you come up with a username that's not already in use. Great, thanks a lot.

Can I get my old Instagram username back?

Instagram is testing a grace period to allow its users to revert back to their old username after changing it. The change, which is currently in testing, would give the previous owner of an Instagram handle up to 14 days to revert back to their old username after changing it.

Is there any way to recover a deleted Instagram account?

If your account was deleted by you or someone with your password, there's no way to restore it. You can create a new account with the same email address you used before, but you may not be able to get the same username.

Can I merge two Instagram accounts?

Can you merge multiple Instagram accounts? While you can go back and forth between 5 accounts, you can't actually merge them. The best you can do is download all photos from one account and post them again to another one.

Why can't I use my old Instagram username?

In most cases, you can change an Instagram username back to a previously used name if: The username hasn't been taken by a new person on Instagram. The username hasn't been recently removed from an active Instagram account that you don't own.

How long can your Instagram username be?

Your username, on the other hand, appears at the top of your profile and at the end of your profile's URL. It needs to be unique to you. It's also subject to more restrictions: it can't be longer than 30 characters and can only contain letters, numbers, periods, and underscores.

Can I claim an inactive Instagram account?

We have helped many users claim inactive Instagram username several times, so we know a few things that work. After you find the Instagram Username Availability tool of iStaunch, type the instagram username that you want to get. Tap on the claim username and it will be available for registration within 24 hours.

Can you claim an inactive Instagram account?

Please read the ENTIRE article before sending us a message on Instagram. However, there are 2 types of inactive username on Instagram: Somebody took the username and hasn't been sharing pictures for weeks, but it is still there and you can see the account. You can't claim that username because it's already taken.