# Connecting an Instagram inbox

An **Instagram** inbox brings the direct messages sent to your Instagram account into Mampu AI, where your team or your AI agent replies.

## Before you start

Your Instagram account must be a professional account (**Business** or **Creator**). You can switch in the Instagram app under **Settings → Account type and tools**. Have the login for that account ready; you will sign in to Instagram during the setup.

## 1. Add an Instagram inbox

Go to **Settings → Inboxes → Add Inbox** and choose **Instagram**.

![Connect your Instagram Profile step](../../.gitbook/assets/guides/instagram-add-inbox-form.jpg)

## 2. Continue with Instagram

Click **Continue with Instagram**, sign in with the Instagram account, and allow all the requested permissions. They let direct messages reach your inbox and let your replies go back out. When Instagram sends you back, the inbox is created.

## 3. Add agents

Pick the agents who will answer Instagram messages and **Add agents**. **Take me there** opens the inbox.

## If you connected Instagram through Facebook before

An Instagram account that was linked the older way, through a Facebook page, shows a banner saying the account was migrated to the new Instagram inbox. Messages now arrive in the inbox created with **Continue with Instagram**; the old one no longer sends or receives.

## After the inbox is live

The inbox gets the usual **Settings**, **Collaborators**, **Business Hours** and **CSAT** tabs, explained in [Inbox settings, tab by tab](/settings/inbox-settings-tabs). If the connection expires, a **Reconnect** banner appears at the top of the inbox's settings; click it and sign in again. On accounts with comment replies for Instagram, a **Comment Replies** tab holds the rules for answering comments on your posts.

## Related

* [Inboxes and channels](/settings/inboxes-and-channels)
* [Connecting a Facebook inbox](/settings/connecting-a-facebook-inbox)
* [Inbox settings, tab by tab](/settings/inbox-settings-tabs)

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Source: https://help.mampuai.com/settings/connecting-an-instagram-inbox