How to Request Access to an Instagram Account (2026 Marketing Agency Guide)

As a marketing agency, you can request access to a client’s Instagram account without asking for their username or password. You can either send a Partner access request through Meta Business Portfolio or use a client onboarding tool like Leadsie to get access with a single link.

Alternatively, you can ask the business or Instagram account owner to give your agency access from their side. In this guide, we’ll explain both ways agencies can request Instagram access, what you’ll need from the client, and how to get the correct permissions securely.

🔗 Related article: How to Add Someone or Give Admin Access to Your Instagram Account

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Ways to request access to a client’s Instagram account

Should agencies use Instagram Shared Access or Meta Partner access?

Instagram has a built-in Shared Access feature which lets an account owner invite an individual user. The account owner must send the invitation, so an agency cannot request this access itself.

Partner access in Meta Business Suite connects the client’s account to an agency’s Meta Business Portfolio.

For marketing agencies, Partner access is the better option because access can be assigned and managed across the agency’s team, rather than being tied to one individually invited Instagram user.

Method 1: Request Instagram access manually via Meta Business Portfolio

If you’re a freelancer, agency, or social media manager, you can request access to a client’s Instagram account directly through Meta Business Portfolio instead of asking for their password.

This method sends the client a Partner access request that they can approve from their own Meta settings.

📝 Before you get started, make sure:

• You have full control of your business portfolio
• Your client has their own business portfolio
• You have their business portfolio ID (found under Business portfolio info)

Step 1: Open the Partners section

Go to your Meta Business Portfolio settings or go to https://business.facebook.com/latest/settings.

Under the Users menu, select “Partners,” then click Add > Ask a partner to assign you their assets.

Step 2: Enter your client’s information

Enter the contact details of the person or business you’re requesting access from.

You’ll also need their Meta Business Portfolio ID (found under Business Portfolio Info in Meta Business Portfolio Settings).

🔗 Here’s how to find a Meta Business ID.

Next, select the relationship type that best describes both parties:

• Brand/business
• Media agency
• Other partner

Step 3: Request Instagram permissions

Select “Instagram accounts” and choose the permissions you want access to.

With Partial access, request only the permissions your agency needs:

• Content: Manage posts, stories and other content.
• Messages: Send and respond to DMs.
• Community activity: Manage comments and unwanted activity.
• Ads: Create and manage ads and ad partnerships.
• Insights: View account, content and ad performance.
• Creator content: Manage creator content and ad permissions.
• Creator management: Find creators and manage campaigns.

Full access includes all permissions, payment methods and the ability to manage account access.

Step 4: Review and send the request

Review your request, optionally add a message for the client, then click “Send Request.”

How does the client approve your request?

Your client will receive an approval notification by email and inside Meta Business Suite. Once they approve the request, the Instagram account will appear inside your Meta Business Portfolio.

Removing a partner from your Business Portfolio

In your Meta Business Portfolio, head to Users > Partners and select the client. Click the options button beside Assign assets, then select "Remove from business portfolio."

Meta doesn’t clarify this in its official documentation or removal message, but in our testing, this ended the Partner relationship in both directions. Your agency loses access to the client’s shared assets and is also automatically removed from the client’s Business Portfolio.

💡 Tip: Before removing the client, make sure you’ve exported any reports or campaign data required for the handover.

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Method 2: Request Instagram access with Leadsie

Leadsie is a client onboarding tool that automates the Instagram partner access request process with a single shareable link. 

Instead of manually connecting Meta Business Portfolios, finding Business IDs, and assigning permissions, agencies can generate one Leadsie link and send it directly to the client.

The client clicks the link, approves access, and Leadsie automatically assigns the agency to the correct Instagram assets inside Meta Business Portfolio. No password sharing is required, and agencies can start managing the account immediately.

Agencies using Leadsie reported cutting onboarding turnaround time by over 50%, according to a DashClicks case study.

Leadsie is commonly used by:

• Marketing agencies
• Social media managers
• Paid ads specialists
• Multi-client teams managing Instagram accounts at scale

Access can be also be revoked instantly from the Leadsie dashboard, making it easier to offboard clients when projects end.

🔗 Bonus: If you manage several clients’ Instagram profiles, check out our guide on best practices for managing multiple Instagram Business Accounts.

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Why can’t you request or receive Instagram access?

If the Instagram account doesn’t appear or the request isn’t received, check that:

• The client’s Instagram account is professional.
• The Instagram account has been added to the client’s Business Portfolio.
• You entered the correct Business Portfolio ID.
• The client is reviewing the correct Business Portfolio.
• The request hasn’t expired or already been declined.
• Both parties have the necessary control permissions.