Instagram requirement 1 of 3

Instagram Business or Creator account required

Before HabariChat can manage your Instagram DMs, your account must be a Business or Creator account, not a personal one. Switching is free, takes about a minute in the Instagram app, and keeps your username, followers and posts.

Why a professional account is needed

Instagram only opens up its messaging tools to professional accounts. Those tools are what let an approved partner like HabariChat receive a DM, reply on your behalf, and let the AI answer from your knowledge base. A personal account hides those tools, so there is nothing for HabariChat to connect to.

There are two kinds of professional account, and both work with HabariChat:

Account type	Meta recommends it for
Business	Shops, brands, organisations and service providers.
Creator	Public figures, content creators, artists and influencers.

Tip: not sure which to pick? Choose Business if you sell products or services. You can switch between Business and Creator later without losing anything.

Switch to a professional account

Before you start

The Instagram mobile app on the phone that is logged into your account.
You are the owner of the account (you know the login).

Steps

Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
Tap the menu (☰) in the top corner, then Settings and privacy.
Tap Account type and tools, then Switch to professional account.
Choose a category that fits your business, then pick Business or Creator.
Finish the prompts. Your account is now professional, with messaging tools enabled.

Next: a professional account on its own is not enough. Instagram messaging is managed through Meta, so the account also needs to be linked to a Facebook Page. Continue with Link your Instagram account to a Facebook Page.

Troubleshooting

Issue	What to do
No "Switch to professional account" option	Update the Instagram app to the latest version, then reopen Settings.
Worried about losing followers or posts	Switching keeps everything. It only adds professional tools.
Account is managed by someone else	Ask the account owner to switch it, or to give you the login first.
Already professional but DMs still won't connect	Move on to linking a Facebook Page and authorising with Facebook login.

Common questions

Why can't I connect a personal Instagram account?

Only Business and Creator accounts support the messaging tools that HabariChat uses to receive and send Instagram DMs. A personal account does not expose those tools, so it cannot be connected. Switching to a professional account is free and keeps your username, followers and posts.

Should I choose a Business or a Creator account?

Both work with HabariChat. Meta recommends a Business account for shops, brands and service providers, and a Creator account for public figures, content creators and influencers. You can switch between the two at any time in the Instagram app.

Will switching to a professional account change my username or followers?

No. Switching from a personal to a Business or Creator account is free and keeps your username, followers, posts and message history. It only unlocks the professional tools, including the messaging access HabariChat needs.

Sources

This requirement and the steps above follow Meta's official guidance on professional Instagram accounts:

Set up a professional Instagram account to access business or creator tools and controls — Instagram Help Center.
About professional accounts on Instagram (Business and Creator) — Instagram Help Center.