How to Create a Second Instagram Account with a Virtual Number (2025 Guide)
There are a hundred reasons to want a second Instagram account. Maybe you're separating your personal life from a business. Maybe you're building a niche content page you don't want connected to your main profile. Maybe you just want a fresh start without nuking your existing account.
Instagram officially supports multiple accounts. It even has a built-in switcher for exactly this. The catch is that each account needs its own unique phone number for verification.
Most people only have one SIM card.
That's the whole problem. And a virtual phone number is the whole solution.
What Is a Virtual Phone Number?
A virtual phone number is a real mobile number that lives online instead of on a physical SIM card. It can receive SMS messages and OTP codes from Instagram just like any regular number would.
With ESIMPY, you can get a virtual number from 100+ countries in minutes, use it to verify your second Instagram account, and you're done before you finish your coffee.
What You'll Need
- The Instagram app on iOS or Android, or instagram.com on desktop
- A virtual phone number from ESIMPY
- A new email address (optional but makes things cleaner)
How to Create a Second Instagram Account with a Virtual Number
Step 1: Get a Virtual Number from ESIMPY
Go to esimpy.com/pricing/esim. Use the app filter to select Instagram, pick your preferred country (US numbers have the highest compatibility), and sort by accuracy. Complete the purchase and your number is ready instantly on your dashboard.
Step 2: Open Instagram and Start a New Account
On mobile:
- 1.Open the Instagram app
- 2.Tap your profile icon, then tap your username at the top
- 3.Tap Add account
- 4.Select Create new account
On desktop:
- 1.Go to instagram.com
- 2.Click Log in, then Create new account
Step 3: Fill in Your Details
Enter your name, username, and password for the new account. When Instagram asks for a phone number, enter the virtual number you grabbed from ESIMPY.
Step 4: Get the OTP from Your Dashboard
Instagram will send a verification code to your virtual number. Head back to your ESIMPY dashboard. The SMS shows up there within seconds. Copy the code and paste it into Instagram.
Step 5: Finish Setting Up Your Account
Add a bio, profile picture, and whatever else you want. Your second Instagram account is live.
Switching Between Your Two Accounts
Once both accounts are set up, switching between them is seamless.
On mobile: Tap your profile icon, tap your username at the top, and select the other account from the list.
On desktop: Click your avatar in the top right corner and switch from the dropdown.
No logging out. No passwords. Just tap and go.
Tips for Running Two Instagram Accounts
Use a different email for each account. It keeps them properly separated and makes recovery much simpler if you ever get locked out of one.
Give each account a clear purpose. Personal versus business, niche content versus general lifestyle content. A clear focus helps each account actually grow instead of just existing.
Don't cross-post everything. Your audiences follow each account for different reasons. The content that works on one rarely lands the same way on the other.
Keep your ESIMPY dashboard bookmarked. Instagram occasionally asks you to re-verify your number. Having your dashboard handy means you can pull up your number details quickly if that comes up.
Is Using a Virtual Number Against Instagram's Rules?
No. Instagram officially supports multiple accounts and provides built-in tools to manage them. Using a virtual number for verification is no different from using a second SIM card. Both deliver the SMS the same way. Instagram cannot tell the difference.
Virtual Number vs Second SIM Card
| Virtual Number | Second SIM Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Minutes | Hours, requires a store visit |
| Cost | Low, one-time credit | Ongoing monthly plan |
| Works internationally | Yes, 100+ countries | Depends on your carrier |
| Physical card needed | No | Yes |
| OTP delivery | Instant | Standard SMS |
If all you need is a number for verification, a virtual number is the faster and more affordable route. A second SIM card brings a full monthly plan you'll pay for every month, for something you needed exactly once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a virtual number to verify Instagram permanently? The virtual number only needs to work during the initial verification step. Once your account is created, the number isn't needed for everyday use.
Which country should I choose for my virtual number? US numbers have the highest compatibility with Instagram. If a US number doesn't work on the first try, UK or Canada are solid backups.
Will Instagram flag or ban my account for using a virtual number? No. Instagram sends an SMS and gets a code back. It doesn't matter whether the number is on a physical SIM or a virtual one. The process looks identical from Instagram's side.
Can I use the same virtual number for multiple Instagram accounts? No. Each Instagram account needs its own unique phone number. Pick up a separate virtual number for each account you create.
Getting a virtual number takes less than two minutes from purchase to receiving your OTP. No SIM card, no store visit, no waiting around.
Head to esimpy.com/pricing/esim, filter by Instagram, sort by accuracy, and get your second account set up today.
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