Instagram how to get my user id from username?

Enter this url in your browser with the users name you want to find and your access token

https://api.instagram.com/v1/users/search?q=[USERNAME]&access_token=[ACCESS TOKEN]

Update in Jun-5-2022, Instagram API no longer use Bearer Token for authentication. But I find another useful API. All you need is added extra header X-IG-App-ID with "magic value".

https://i.instagram.com/api/v1/users/web_profile_info/?username=therock

Use can use my docker container Insta-Proxy-Server to bypass the authentication.

https://hub.docker.com/repository/docker/dockerer123456/insta-proxy-server

Demo video (I just run directly from source code): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frHC1jOfK1k


Update in Mar-19-2022, the API is require login now. Sorry for the bad news.

But we can solve this problem in two ways.

  1. Using my C# lib, login using your account (without any Instagram app token stuff and graph api.)
  2. In case the lib failed (I'm no longer maintain it long time ago), create a proxy server with logged in instagram account.

[Your app] --> [Proxy server] --> [Instagram] --> [Proxy server] -(forward)-> [Your app]

For Proxy server, you can use Nodejs app which install Chromium headless module (Puppeteer for example), logged in with an instagram account.

Proof of concept:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlnNBpCXQM8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMb9us2hH3w


Update in June-20-2019, the API is public now. No authentication required.


Update in December-11-2018, I needed to confirm that this endpoint still work.

You need to login before sending request to this site because it's not public endpoint anymore.


Update in Apr-17-2018, it's look like this endpoint still working (but its not public endpoint anymore), you must send a request with extra information to that endpoint. (Press F12 to open developer toolbar, then click to Network Tab and trace the request.)


Update in Apr-12-2018, cameronjonesweb said that this endpoint doesn't work anymore. When he/she trying to access this endpoint, 403 status code return.


You can get user info when a request is made with the url below:

https://www.instagram.com/{username}/?__a=1

E.g:

This url will get all information about a user whose username is therock

https://www.instagram.com/therock/?__a=1