Instagram not working on iPhone 12? Here’s how to fix it

By Dave Johnson - Executive Editor
3 Min Read

Social media is a huge part of our lives. Whether you’re trying to have some fun, keep in touch with others, or promote your next big project, Instagram not working on iPhone 12 is sure to mess with your day. In this article, I’ll explain why Instagram is not working on your iPhone 12 and show you how to fix the problem for good.

Instagram is a free social media platform for sharing photos and videos. If Instagram is not working on your iPhone 12, there are different reasons this could happen. It could be that Instagram’s servers are having a hiccup, your phone is creating problems, or the app is simply misbehaving. For those unfortunate occurrences when Instagram isn’t working on your iPhone 12, we’ve put together a list of ways to fix it. Follow the troubleshooting guide below, and you’ll be able to fix any Instagram problems you might be having on your iPhone 12.

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

How to fix Instagram not working on iPhone 12

These tried and tested tips can help you fix the Instagram app not working on iPhone 12 issue.

Check if Instagram is down

If Instagram isn’t working on your iPhone 12, the first thing to consider is that it might not be working for anyone. There are two places to check whether Instagram is down. Down Detector is a site that tracks all kinds of services and whether or not they are down. Head to Down Detector’s Instagram page, and it will tell you whether Instagram is having issues or not. You can also check the Live Outage Map to see if the problem is restricted to specific regions.

The second option is the official Instagram Twitter support account. It will always have the latest news about Instagram outages and how long it might be until it’s back up and running, so follow it if you want to stay updated.

Close and re-open Instagram

If Instagram is up but still isn’t working on your iPhone 12, close the app and re-open it. If the issues persist, try logging out of your account and logging back in. Additionally, uninstalling and re-installing the app sometimes works too. And if you want to take this method a bit further, you can also try logging out of Instagram and logging back in.

Check for updates

Running an old version of an app is usually OK, but it might also bring issues in some instances, especially when significant changes are implemented to apps. It might be worth checking for updates. Open up the App Store and check for available updates. When you log back into Instagram, any missed message will be waiting for you.

How to check for app updates on iPhone:

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Tap on your profile at the top right of the screen.
  3. Look for the Instagram app.
  4. You should see an Update option if there’s an available update. Tap on it.

While you’re at it, it might also help to have your iPhone’s software on its latest available update.

How to update your iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go into General.
  3. Select Software Update.
  4. If an update is available, hit Download & Install.
  5. Follow instructions to finalize the update.

Restart your iPhone

Like many tech problems, the simplest solution is to restart the device. When Instagram isn’t working on iPhone 12, the same logic applies. Reset your device, and it may instantly solve your iPhone 12 Instagram problems. Simply press and hold on to the Side an either of the volume buttons until the power off slider appears. Drag the power slider from left to right to turn off your iPhone. If that doesn’t do the trick, move on to the next fix.

Check your internet connection

The problem may be your internet connection if Instagram is not working on your iPhone 12. A quick way to verify if this is the case would be to test any other app that uses the internet, or open your browser and try to open Google.com. If nothing else works, then your internet connection is likely the issue.

If you’re using data, try switching to Wi-Fi, and vice versa. You can also try moving closer to your router. Resetting the router may solve the issue, too, even if your internet works on other devices. For those using a VPN, you may need to disable it while you use Instagram. Instagram often stops working on iPhone 12 if it detects any third-party apps, including VPNs.

Additionally, if you’re using Wi-Fi, there is a chance the network administrator might be blocking certain services, such as Instagram. This is often the case at schools, libraries, and other places where they would rather not let people use Wi-Fi for entertainment purposes. The only solution would be to ask the administrator to let you use said apps, or simply use data.

Another common issue is that we often turn off mobile data by accident. Make sure you can access mobile data in the Settings.

How to turn on mobile data on iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go into Cellular.
  3. Toggle Cellular data on.

Fix Instagram not working on iPhone 12 issue

That’s it for our guide on what to do when Instagram isn’t working on iPhone 12. I hope that this article was helpful to you. Which fix worked for you? Drop a comment and let us know!

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By Dave Johnson Executive Editor
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Dave Johnson is the editor-in-chief at GeeksChalk where he oversees all of site’s evergreen content to ensure it’s up to date with the latest information. Hailing from New Jersey in the US, he has over seven years of experience in the tech journalism space and holds a degree in English Literature. In his spare time, Dave can found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, and petting every dog he comes across in the outside world.
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