> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theomnibot.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Instagram to ChatbotX: Two Methods Explained

> Connect your Instagram Professional account via Instagram OAuth or Facebook OAuth, then automate DMs, Story Mentions, and Comment-to-DM conversion flows.

By connecting your Instagram Professional account to ChatbotX, you can leverage AI Agents to automate Direct Messages (DMs), respond to Story Mentions, and convert post comments into leads through "Comment-to-DM" automation. ChatbotX provides **two connection methods** for Instagram:

* **Login with Instagram** — Connect directly via Instagram OAuth authentication. Simple process, no Facebook Page linking required.
* **Login with Facebook** — Connect via Facebook OAuth authentication. Requires linking a Facebook Page to your Instagram account before getting started. Best when you want to manage multiple Facebook Pages and Instagram accounts at once.

Choose the method that suits you and follow the guide below.

***

## Prerequisites

**Common requirements (both methods):**

1. **Instagram Professional account** — your Instagram account must be set as a **Business** or **Creator** profile. If you are using a personal account, follow [this official guide](https://help.instagram.com/502981923235522) to switch.

**Additional requirements (only for "Login with Facebook" method):**

2. **Linked Facebook Page** — your Instagram account must be linked to a Facebook Page where you have **Admin** access.
3. **Admin access** — you need **"Full Control"** or **Admin** permissions on the linked Facebook Page.
4. **Personal Facebook account** — you must be logged in on your browser with the Facebook account that manages that Page.

<Note>
  Make sure **"Allow Access to Messages"** is turned **ON** in the Instagram mobile app. Go to **Settings and privacy → Messages and story replies → Message controls** and toggle **Allow Access to Messages** to ON. This is required for third-party tools to receive your Direct Messages.
</Note>

***

## Step 1: Open the Channel Configuration in ChatbotX

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to Channels">
    Log in to your ChatbotX dashboard. Go to **Settings → Channels**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Instagram">
    Find the Instagram icon and click the **"Add Instagram"** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your connection method">
    The **Add Instagram** window will pop up showing both connection methods. Choose the method that suits you and follow the corresponding instructions in Step 2 below.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Authenticate and Complete Connection

### Method A — Login with Instagram

This method connects directly via Instagram OAuth. You do **not need** to link a Facebook Page first.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Grant access permissions on Instagram">
    The browser will display an access request window from Instagram:

    1. Ensure the following permission options are toggled **ON**:
       * **Access and manage comments**
       * **Access and manage messages**
    2. Click the **Allow** button at the bottom to authorize the application access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete connection">
    The system redirects you back to the ChatbotX dashboard and displays the **Connect Instagram** notification. Click the **Continue** button to finish.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Method B — Login with Facebook

This method connects via Facebook OAuth. You need to **link your Facebook Page to your Instagram account first** before proceeding.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Link your Facebook Page to your Instagram account">
    If your Facebook Page is already linked to your Instagram account, skip this step and go to Step 2.2.

    1. Go to the [Facebook Pages Manager](https://www.facebook.com/pages/?category=your_pages), select the Page you want to link, and open **Settings**.
    2. Go to **Linked Accounts** and connect your Instagram Professional account — select **Instagram**, click **"Connect account"**, and follow the Instagram login prompts.
    3. If everything is successful, you will see the message **"Instagram connected."** on the settings page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate via Meta and grant permissions">
    Back in ChatbotX, after selecting **Login with Facebook**, the system will redirect you to the Meta (Facebook) permission granting interface:

    1. **Continue with your personal account** — click **Continue** to allow ChatbotX to access your name and profile picture. (On the Meta interface it may appear under the registered name ChatConnectX.)
    2. **Choose the Facebook Pages you want to connect** — select **Opt in to all current and future Pages** (recommended) or **Opt in to current Pages only**, then click **Continue**.
    3. **Choose the Instagram accounts you want to connect** — select **Opt in to all current and future Instagram accounts** or **Opt in to current Instagram accounts only**, then click **Continue**.
    4. **Review access permissions** — review the full list of permissions the application is requesting and click the **Save** button at the bottom.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete connection">
    The interface displays a successful connection message. Click the **Got it** button to finish and return to ChatbotX.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 3: Sync Contacts and Chat History (Optional)

After completing the connection, a dialog will appear asking if you want to sync existing contacts and chat history.

* **Enable sync** — allow ChatbotX to import existing Instagram contacts and up to **3 months** of conversation history from this account. Note: for accounts with many conversations, this sync process may take several hours to complete.
* **Don't sync** — skip importing old data and start fresh with new customer interactions.

***

## Step 4: Finalize and Verify

After being redirected back to the system, your Instagram account will appear on the ChatbotX dashboard.

* **Confirm connection** — make sure the correct Instagram account is displayed with the Instagram icon.
* **Check integration** — click **Test Now** to send a test message and confirm the AI Agent is working.

***

## Step 5: Test Automation

Your Instagram account is now connected. You can test it using one of the following methods:

* **Option 1: Create a Flow** — go to the **Flows** section in the sidebar, create a simple welcome message or an interactive menu, then send a DM to the Instagram account to verify the response.
* **Option 2: Set up an AI Agent** — go to the **AI Agent** tab to configure your agent's personality. After saving, send a DM to the Instagram account from another account to test the AI response.

***

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why doesn't my Instagram account appear in the connection list?">
    This is the most common issue during setup. It is usually because your account does not meet Meta's requirements.

    **Check account type** — make sure your Instagram account is set as **Business** or **Creator**. Personal accounts are not supported by the Meta API for third-party integrations.

    **Admin permissions** — you must have **Admin** access on the Facebook Page linked to that Instagram account. If it is already linked but still not showing, go to **Facebook Page Settings → Linked Accounts**, disconnect and then reconnect the Instagram account to refresh the access token.

    **How to fix** — go to your personal Facebook profile → **Settings & Privacy** → **Settings** → **Business Integrations**. Find **ChatbotX**, click **Remove**, then go back to Step 1 to start over.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I connected successfully but I'm not receiving messages in ChatbotX?">
    If the status shows "Connected" but messages are not appearing, check the following:

    **Enable 'Allow Access to Messages':**

    1. Open the Instagram app on your phone.
    2. Go to **Settings and privacy → Messages and story replies → Message controls**.
    3. Scroll down to the **Connected tools** section and toggle **'Allow Access to Messages'** to **ON**.

    **Check AI Agent** — make sure you have assigned an **AI Agent** to this Instagram channel in the **AI Agent Settings**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can ChatbotX automatically respond to Instagram Stories and Mentions?">
    **Absolutely.** ChatbotX fully supports interactive features to boost customer engagement. Your AI Agent can be configured to automatically send thank-you messages or provide information when someone replies to your Story or mentions your account.

    **24-Hour Rule** — like Messenger, AI can only respond within a **24-hour** window from the user's last interaction.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use Comment-to-DM automation on Instagram posts?">
    **Yes, this is a powerful feature for converting followers.** You can set up your AI Agent to automatically reply to comments on your posts and simultaneously send a DM to that user (for example, sending a discount code when a user comments "Interested"). This increases conversion rates without manual effort.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How does Facebook's 24-hour rule affect the bot?">
    According to Meta's policy, bots are only allowed to respond to customers **within 24 hours of the customer's most recent message**. After 24 hours, you must use **Message Tags** or **Marketing Messages** to continue the conversation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I update permissions when I add a new Instagram account?">
    You do not need to disconnect the existing connection. Simply repeat the **Add Instagram** process. When the Meta window appears, click **Edit Settings** and check the new Instagram account. The system will automatically update the list without affecting previously connected channels.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>