6 Ways to Fix Instagram Not Working on iPhone

Quick Tips

• Open Settings > Instagram, enable Background App Refresh, and allow Full Access to Photos.
• Open Settings > Mobile Data and enable it for Instagram.
• Disable Low Data Mode and Low Power Mode to ensure Instagram doesn’t face any restrictions.

Basic Fixes

• Check if Instagram is down: Check if Instagram is facing downtime. If yes, wait for the platform to be restored.
• Restart device and Instagram: Restart your device, and the Instagram app to fix temporary bugs and glitches.
• Check notifications: Ensure you’ve enabled notifications for Instagram on the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Update Instagram: Update Instagram to the latest version on iOS devices for a bug-free experience.
• Check network: Ensure you have an active cellular data/Wi-Fi plan with a stable network signal on your device.

Fix 1: Check Cellular Data Access

If you’ve disabled cellular data access for Instagram, the app won’t work on mobile data.

Go to Settings, scroll down, select Instagram from the list, and enable Mobile Data.

Fix 2: Disable Low Data Mode

Data saver settings on your iPhone may restrict Instagram from loading data, or uploading content in the highest quality.

Step 1: Open Settings > tap on Cellular Data/Mobile data.

Step 2: Tap on Mobile Data Options (or Cellular Data Options).

Step 3: Tap on Data Mode. Ensure you haven’t selected Low Data Mode. Select Allow More Data on 5G or Standard.

Additionally, ensure you’ve not enabled Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi networks as well. Open the Settings app > tap on Wi-Fi > tap on the info icon next to the connected network > turn off the toggle for Low Data Mode.

Fix 3: Turn Off Data Saver Settings on Instagram

Instagram app also has a few data saver settings that can prevent the app from showing, or uploading content in the highest quality.

Step 1: Open the Profile tab, and tap on the menu button at the top right corner.

Step 2: Select Media quality and turn off Use less mobile data. Additionally, enable Upload at highest quality.

Fix 4: Enable Background App Refresh

Background app refresh helps Instagram work without issues even after you exit the app. This may be helpful for several background activities, such as uploading stories, videos or posts.

Open Settings > Instagram and enable Background App Refresh.

Fix 5: Enable Permissions

Can’t access your Photos from the Instagram app? Ensure you’ve provided permissions for Instagram to access your device storage.

Step 1: Open Settings, scroll down and select Instagram from the list of apps.

Step 2: Select Photos and allow Full Access.

Fix 6: Clear Cache

Offloading Instagram and re-installing it on your iPhone clears the cache on Instagram, and deletes any unwanted data from the app. Don’t worry – you won’t lose any of your important app data.

Step 1: Open the Settings app. Go to General -> iPhone Storage.

Step 2: Scroll down and select Instagram from the list. Select Offload App. Wait for the offloading to complete, then tap on the Reinstall App option.

If the above methods do not resolve the problem, contact Instagram’s support team for further assistance.