Usually not. Instagram has no process for requesting a username that another account is using, even if that account looks inactive. Its help center suggests choosing an available variation instead (Instagram Help). The only official route is a report, and it applies only when the account infringes your registered trademark or pretends to be you. Even then, Instagram may change the other account’s username, but it doesn’t promise to give it to you.
Why you can’t claim an inactive username
Instagram doesn’t release usernames on request, and it doesn’t publish a rule for when an unused name becomes free. Its Terms of Use also ban buying, selling or transferring any part of an account, including the username (Instagram Terms of Use). The same Terms let Instagram change a username that infringes someone’s intellectual property or impersonates another user, and that’s what the trademark and impersonation reports are for.
Choose a close variation
Add a period, an underscore or a number, or a short word such as “the”, “hq”, “official” or your city. Usernames can contain only letters, numbers, periods and underscores, up to 30 characters, and a period can’t come first, last or twice in a row (Outfy). Commas, dashes and spaces aren’t allowed.
Report trademark misuse or impersonation
If another account uses your registered trademark in its username, name, bio or profile picture, file Instagram’s Trademark Report Form. Only the rights owner or their representative can file it. You need the registration details, and each report covers one trademark. The form warns that misuse can get your own account terminated and that the reported account may be able to contact you by email. It doesn’t promise to transfer the username.
If an account pretends to be you or your business, report it as impersonation (Instagram Help). Our guide on how many reports it takes to delete an account explains how reports are handled.
Get your own old username back
In most cases you can switch back to a username you used before, as long as nobody else has taken it in the meantime (Instagram Help). If you deleted an account, Instagram warns that you may not be able to use the same username again (Instagram Help).
Don’t buy a username
Buying a username breaks Instagram’s Terms of Use, and there’s no official way to hand one over. Rare handles are also a target for theft: in 2021 Instagram and other platforms seized accounts linked to resellers whose handles came from hacking, SIM swapping and extortion (KrebsOnSecurity). Never give your password to someone who offers to get you a username. The Terms ban collecting other people’s login details as well.
Setting up the rest of your profile? See how to add line breaks to your Instagram bio.
FAQ
Can I report an inactive account to get its username?
No. Instagram has no request process for inactive usernames and suggests picking a variation.
If someone changes their username, can I take the old one right away?
Not always. In 2019 Instagram confirmed it was testing a 14-day hold on usernames that had recently been changed (Fortune). Instagram doesn’t document the current rule, so try again after a couple of weeks.
Why can’t I use a dash in my username?
Instagram usernames allow only letters, numbers, periods and underscores. Use a period or an underscore instead.
Does a trademark report get me the username?
Not necessarily. Instagram can change a username that infringes a trademark, but the form doesn’t promise to transfer it to you.