Connecting Instagram via Session ID

This method is for cases when Instagram does not send an SMS or a two-factor code during login with login and password. You sign in to Instagram in a desktop browser (SMS and 2FA usually work there), copy the sessionid cookie and paste it into ParrotPoster. No password is needed in ParrotPoster.

How to copy sessionid

  1. Open instagram.com in a desktop browser and sign in.

  2. Open developer tools (the F12 key) and find the sessionid cookie for https://www.instagram.com:

    Chrome, Edge, Yandex Browser — F12 → Application tab → on the left Cookies → https://www.instagram.com → the sessionid row → copy Value.

    Firefox — F12 → Storage tab → Cookies → https://www.instagram.com → sessionid → Value.

    Safari (Mac) — enable the Develop menu in Safari settings → Develop → Show Web Inspector → Storage → Cookies → sessionid.

  3. Copy exactly the value from the Value column — a long string (50+ characters) that starts with your userId digits. Do not copy ds_user_id or csrftoken.

  4. In ParrotPoster open Accounts → Instagram, choose "Via Session ID (if SMS codes don't arrive)", paste the value into the "Session ID" field and click Connect.

Security

Do not share the Session ID with anyone: it can be used to access your account.

Validity

A Session ID is valid for about 90 days. If you change your password or log out of the account in the browser, you will need to reconnect the account: choose Reconnect in the card menu, open the Session ID tab and paste the new value.

Proxy

For Session ID, as for login with password, the "Proxy (optional)" field is available. See the Instagram guide.

Troubleshooting

"Failed to connect. Check that the data entered is correct"
  • You copied the value from the Value column of the sessionid row, with no extra spaces or quotes.
  • You did not mix up the rows: ds_user_id and csrftoken do not work.
  • You did not log out in the browser after copying: logging out invalidates the Session ID (see "Validity").
The connection stopped working

Most likely about 90 days have passed, or you changed your password or logged out. Copy a new sessionid and use Reconnect.

I cannot find the cookies in developer tools

Make sure the Application tab (Chrome, Edge, Yandex Browser) or Storage tab (Firefox) is open and the https://www.instagram.com domain is selected. If there is no such tab, open developer tools on the instagram.com page.