How to reconnect Instagram and obtain a New Access Token
Access tokens are essential for third-party applications to securely interact with Instagram's API on behalf of users. These tokens are used to authorize the app to retrieve and display user data, such as photos, videos, and profile information. However, access tokens have an expiration date and need to be renewed to ensure continued access to Instagram's API.
After the expiration of a token, your app or widget will lose the ability to display the latest media or interact with the user's Instagram data. To avoid interruptions and keep your integration functioning smoothly, it’s important to know how to renew your access token before it expires.
This guide will walk you through the steps needed to renew your Instagram access token.
Understanding Access Tokens
Steps to Renew Your Access Token
Instagram uses access tokens to allow third-party applications to securely access a user's data. The type of token you receive depends on the method used to authenticate and the duration of access granted.
- Short-lived tokens: These tokens are valid for a very limited time, typically 1 hour. Once expired, they need to be refreshed or reissued.
- Long-lived tokens: These tokens last longer, up to 60 days, but still need renewal at some point to maintain access to Instagram's API.
It is important to track when your token expires so you can renew it in a timely manner, ensuring uninterrupted access to Instagram data for your app or widget.
To begin the process of renewing your Instagram access token, you first need to reconnect your account within the app. Here’s how you can do that:
Open the app and navigate to the Account section.
Click on the Reconnect button to reauthorize access to your Instagram account.
By reconnecting your account, you are essentially asking Instagram to issue a new access token. This process is simple and ensures that the application or widget will have access to the latest token for secure API communication.
Once your account is reconnected, the next step is to refresh your media sources. Follow these steps:
Navigate to the Media Sources section within the app.
Start syncing your media posts to pull in the latest content and display it on your widget or application feed.
This will ensure that the most recent media from your Instagram account is displayed correctly, using the new access token that has been issued during the reconnect process.
Renewing your Instagram access token is a crucial step to ensure that your application or widget continues to function without interruption. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide—reconnecting your account and syncing your media sources—you can easily refresh your access token and keep your integration up-to-date. Monitoring token expiration and taking action in advance will save you from disruptions and allow you to continue displaying your Instagram content seamlessly.
Always be mindful of the expiration periods for both short-lived and long-lived tokens, and renew them promptly to avoid any lapses in functionality.
If you have any further concern, you can always reach out to us via in-app live chat or email at support@socialhead.io
After the expiration of a token, your app or widget will lose the ability to display the latest media or interact with the user's Instagram data. To avoid interruptions and keep your integration functioning smoothly, it’s important to know how to renew your access token before it expires.
This guide will walk you through the steps needed to renew your Instagram access token.
Table of Contents
Understanding Access Tokens
Steps to Renew Your Access Token
Understanding Access Tokens
Instagram uses access tokens to allow third-party applications to securely access a user's data. The type of token you receive depends on the method used to authenticate and the duration of access granted.
Types of Access Tokens
- Short-lived tokens: These tokens are valid for a very limited time, typically 1 hour. Once expired, they need to be refreshed or reissued.
- Long-lived tokens: These tokens last longer, up to 60 days, but still need renewal at some point to maintain access to Instagram's API.
It is important to track when your token expires so you can renew it in a timely manner, ensuring uninterrupted access to Instagram data for your app or widget.
Steps to Renew Your Access Token
Step 1: Reconnect Your Account
To begin the process of renewing your Instagram access token, you first need to reconnect your account within the app. Here’s how you can do that:
Open the app and navigate to the Account section.
Click on the Reconnect button to reauthorize access to your Instagram account.
By reconnecting your account, you are essentially asking Instagram to issue a new access token. This process is simple and ensures that the application or widget will have access to the latest token for secure API communication.
Step 2: Sync Your Media Sources
Once your account is reconnected, the next step is to refresh your media sources. Follow these steps:
Navigate to the Media Sources section within the app.
Start syncing your media posts to pull in the latest content and display it on your widget or application feed.
This will ensure that the most recent media from your Instagram account is displayed correctly, using the new access token that has been issued during the reconnect process.
Renewing your Instagram access token is a crucial step to ensure that your application or widget continues to function without interruption. By following the simple steps outlined in this guide—reconnecting your account and syncing your media sources—you can easily refresh your access token and keep your integration up-to-date. Monitoring token expiration and taking action in advance will save you from disruptions and allow you to continue displaying your Instagram content seamlessly.
Always be mindful of the expiration periods for both short-lived and long-lived tokens, and renew them promptly to avoid any lapses in functionality.
If you have any further concern, you can always reach out to us via in-app live chat or email at support@socialhead.io
Updated on: 04/04/2025
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