How to create an Access Token and User ID to Manually connect an Instagram Account

This guide outlines the process of creating an Instagram Access Token and User ID using our Instagram Access Token tool. This can be used if you have been asked to provide one for setting up a Instagram Feed on a website.

Would you like to connect an Instagram account to a client’s website, now that our access token tool is gone?

Due to changes in Meta/Instagram’s data protection policies, we are no longer able to offer our tool for retrieving an access token.

This guide shows you four other ways to connect your client’s account. It also explains what Add Account Manually still does if you already have an access token.

Before you get started, make sure Instagram Feed is installed and activated on your site.

• Connecting a Business Profile Through Facebook
• Letting an Administrator Connect Their Account
• Giving an Editor Access to the Settings Page
• Sharing Your Screen With Your Client
• Adding an Account Manually
• Frequently Asked Questions

Connecting a Business Profile Through Facebook

This method works for Instagram Business profiles. Your client gives you a role on the Facebook page that is linked to their Instagram account. Then, connect the Instagram account in the plugin with your own Facebook profile.

In the plugin, an account connected through Facebook shows as Business Advanced. To connect it, follow the steps in Letting an Administrator Connect Their Account from your own WordPress dashboard. On the connection page, choose Business Advanced, and log in with your own Facebook profile when asked.

Next, we’ll look at what your client can do when they are an Administrator on your site.

Letting an Administrator Connect Their Account

If your client is an Administrator on the WordPress site, they can connect their account themselves.

1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Instagram Feed » Settings.
2. On the General tab, find the Manage Sources box. Then, click Add Source.
3. Instagram Feed then sends you to Smash Balloon’s connection page. The redirect happens on its own after a few seconds.
4. On the connection page, choose Business Basic or Business Advanced. Then, click Connect.
5. Next, log in with the Instagram account when you are asked to.

Next, we’ll cover clients who have the Editor role.

Giving an Editor Access to the Settings Page

If your client is an Editor on the WordPress site, you can give the Editor role access to the plugin’s Settings page. The sbi_settings_pages_capability filter changes which capability the page checks. Our guide on allowing editors access to the Instagram plugin settings shows how to use it. To learn what each role can do, see Beginner’s Guide to WordPress User Roles and Permissions.

When the Editor can open Instagram Feed » Settings, they can connect their account with the steps in Letting an Administrator Connect Their Account.

Next, we’ll look at clients who have no access to your dashboard.

Sharing Your Screen With Your Client

If your client does not have any access to the WordPress dashboard, start a screen-sharing session with them.

You can do the steps below in a private or incognito window. That way, the connection does not use any previously logged-in Instagram session, and your client’s session is not saved in your browser.

1. On your computer, go to Instagram Feed » Settings in the WordPress dashboard.
2. Give your client control of your screen.
3. Let them log in with their Instagram account while they connect it, using the steps in Letting an Administrator Connect Their Account.

Finally, we’ll cover what to do if you already have an access token.

Adding an Account Manually

If you already have an Account ID and an access token for the account, add it by hand. This does not need your client to log in.

1. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Instagram Feed » Settings. On the General tab, click Add Source in the Manage Sources box.
2. When Instagram Feed sends you to Smash Balloon’s connection page, click Add Account Manually.
3. In the Add a Source Manually window, choose Personal or Business under Source Type.
4. Next, enter your Account ID in the Instagram Account ID field. Then, enter your token in the Instagram Access Token field.
5. When both fields are filled in, click Add.

That’s it! You now know how to connect a client’s Instagram account without our access token tool. To learn more about Business Advanced accounts, see our guide on Instagram Business Advanced accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about connecting a client’s account.