Lessons Learned: Our Instagram 2FA Fiasco

We have a story to tell. It’s a bit (very) embarrassing. But we’re all friends here, right? 

Sit back, and let us take you on a journey of how we lost our Instagram account. Was it pretty? No. Did we learn anything? Absolutely.

And we think you can too.

Losing Access to Our Account

Once upon a time, we decided to hand over our Instagram account to an external agency. Everything was smooth sailing. But then, the unexpected happened. The agency closed and our Instagram account kept ticking on until we wanted to change things around.

“Not a big deal,” we thought. “We have our username and password.” But here’s the twist – the agency had set up the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with their phone number. Big problem. No phone number, no access.

Panic Stations

Shock and disbelief. Surely there is a way.  We tried everything to get back in, but without that phone number, we were locked out for good. Meta couldn’t help, they needed that 2FA - after all, that’s how a good security feature should work!

Our Facebook and Instagram page were still connected, so we could still post. But - as you know if your business is on social media - that’s not enough. We couldn’t engage with our audience, view other content, edit our bio, follow any new accounts, or do anything natively from the Instagram app.

To make matters worse (yes, it got worse) we disconnected our Instagram from our Meta Business Suite before we were able to post a ‘We’ve moved to a new account’ final grid post. Our old account still remains, and we can’t delete it. Lurking like a reminder of blunder, a blemish you can't unfollow - still there, just taunting us.
But, as with all mistakes comes the opportunity to grow. We decided to learn and we came out smarter (and stronger).

Lessons Learned

1) Take Control of Your Security:

Always, always, always manage your own 2FA. It’s crucial to have control over your security settings. Trusting someone else with that responsibility can lead to major headaches.

Pro Tip: Use an authenticator app instead of a phone number for 2FA. It’s more secure and doesn’t rely on a single device. The other option is an email address. But, take it from us, a phone number is really not the way to go.

2) Backup Plans are a Must:

Have a backup plan for everything. From social media accounts to website logins, make sure there’s a Plan B.

Pro Tip: Keep a secure, updated list of all your usernames, passwords, and backup codes. Store them in a password manager for easy access. And, make sure you have more than one person as main admin. If you’re a business owner get your comms or marketing person as a main admin too. If you’re a sole trader, get your partner or a friend as a main admin.

3) Communication is Key:

Maintain open communication with any third-party service providers. Regular check-ins can help you stay updated on their status and any potential changes.

Pro Tip: Establish a clear exit strategy with your service providers, including how to transfer account access back to you.

This goes for communication within your team too. If you’re going to make a major move like disconnecting your Instagram account from Meta, make sure everyone is across the timing of it.

4) Embrace the Power of DIY:

Sometimes, doing it yourself can save you from a lot of trouble. We’ve now taken back control of our social media accounts, and it feels great!

Pro Tip: If you do hire an agency, ensure they guide you through setting up your accounts and security measures, so you’re never left in the dark.

Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

Despite the blunder, we’ve come out of this experience with a renewed sense of ownership and security. Plus, we actually like our new Instagram account a lot more. It’s more fun, more vibrant, and we have loads of ideas for how to make it even better.

Follow Us on Instagram

There’s something missing though. You guys! We need to build up our following again. So come and join the fun and give us a follow @digitalboost_nz. We’d love to see you over there. And while you’re at it, tell us what you like and don’t like, and how you think we could improve.

So, there you have it. Our Instagram mishap was the plot twist we didn’t see coming. We hope our tale of woe helps you dodge similar pitfalls and keeps your business running like a well-oiled machine. Remember, every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.

If you want to know more about 2FA or managing social media, come and chat to our support team.