DMA
Our solution is built in line with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). User profiles are never stored or scraped, and our API focuses exclusively on enabling messaging interoperability. Clients are expected to comply with the terms of each provider.
Instagram isn’t just a place to share content anymore, it has become a direct messaging hub where users connect instantly with their audience. For platforms like CRMs, ATS tools, or customer engagement solutions, integrating Instagram messaging unlocks real-time conversations and seamless communication inside your product.
The challenge is that Meta’s official APIs remain restrictive and complex, requiring partner approvals, fragmented documentation, and account limitations that slow down innovation.
With Unipile, you bypass those hurdles. Through one unified API, your users can sync their Instagram inbox, send and receive DMs, and centralize all conversations directly in your app, no Meta partnership required, no complicated setup, just streamlined messaging.
Introduction to Instagram API
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What Instagram’s APIs officially allow (and don’t)
- How Unipile simplifies everything into one unified interface
- What features you can launch and how fast
The Instagram API Landscape
If you’re planning to integrate Instagram into your product, you’ll quickly realize: there isn’t just one API to rule them all. Instead, Meta offers a set of APIs, each with its own purpose, limitations, and access conditions. Let’s break them down.
Instagram Graph API (the official one)
This is the main API you’ll hear about. It’s powerful — on paper. You can:
-
Publish photos and videos
-
Get insights (reach, impressions, engagement)
-
Manage comments
-
Fetch user media
-
List stories
But there’s a catch:
-
It only works with Business or Creator accounts
-
It requires the Instagram account to be linked to a Facebook Page
-
You must authenticate via Facebook Login
-
You need specific scopes (e.g. instagram_basic, pages_show_list, instagram_content_publish)
-
In many cases, you need to go through App Review and Partner Validation to unlock certain features
Messenger API for Instagram (for DMs only)
Want to access Instagram Direct Messages?
You’ll need this separate API, which:
-
Only works for Business accounts
-
Requires at least 1,000 followers
-
Is not included by default — it needs dedicated permissions
-
Has strict rate limits
-
Doesn’t offer full message sync flexibility
DMs are one of the most requested features… and one of the hardest to implement properly with Meta’s stack.
Instagram Basic Display API
Forget this one for SaaS. It’s designed for:
-
Personal accounts
-
Public profile data
-
Read-only media access
There’s no write access, no insights, no DMs, no interactivity.
It’s basically a “view-only” API for portfolios or galleries.
What You Can Build with Instagram — Instantly, with Unipile
With Unipile, you don’t need to deal with Meta’s fragmented approach.
We’ve unified the essential Instagram messaging capabilities into a single API interface:
-
Manage and reply to DMs
-
Real-time inbox synchronization
-
Secure and simplified authentication flow
Please note that Unipile is not a Meta Partner. Our API is built to focus exclusively on messaging interoperability, and we invite all users to respect Meta’s Terms of Service: no scraping, no spam, no unauthorized automation.
No need to build or maintain a Facebook app. No access restrictions on your side. Just one streamlined integration that enables compliant and reliable messaging.
Connect to the Instagram API with Unipile
Skip the Meta maze with Unipile, you can connect Instagram to your app in days, not weeks, with full messaging and content capabilities through a single, unified API.
Unified Inbox for All Channels
Centralize Instagram messages next to LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail and more, all from a single thread per contact. No more switching tabs or losing context.
Real-Time Sync Built In
Every new message is instantly synced to your app.
No polling, no delays, just clean webhooks and up-to-date conversations, even for multi-agent teams.
Modular Integration for Any Workflow
Whether you’re building a CRM, ATS or a creator tool, you can plug Instagram messaging where it makes sense: inside candidate cards, sales threads, support tickets, or contact timelines.
Why Choose Unipile Instead of Building on Meta
Skip the limitations of Meta’s APIs. Here’s how Unipile compares when it comes to speed, effort, and access — so you can focus on building, not battling with setup.
| Criteria | Meta APIs | Unipile |
|---|---|---|
| Time to integrate | Weeks or months | 2–3 days |
| Dev effort | High | Low (REST + SDKs) |
| Maintenance | Manual | Fully managed |
| Access to features | Partial (after approval) | Full, instantly |
| Support | Self-service only | Dedicated tech team |
| Criteria | Meta APIs | Unipile |
|---|---|---|
| Time to integrate | Weeks/months | 2–3 days |
| Dev effort | High | Low (REST + SDKs) |
| Maintenance | Manual | Fully managed |
| Access to features | Partial (after approval) | Full, now |
| Support | Self-service only | Dedicated tech team |
Installing and Configuring Instagram API
Unipile makes it easy to launch Instagram messaging and content features, without the hassle of Meta’s developer flow.
Sign Up to Unipile
Log to Dashboard
Access your workspace and manage your connected accounts.
Retrieving your Instagram credentials
To perform an authentication for Instagram, a user need its INSTAGRAM username and password. Authentication via Facebook credentials is not supported at the moment.
Authentication
Make a POST request to this Unipile API endpoint or use the appropriate SDK Method.
curl --request POST \
--url https://{YOUR_DSN}/api/v1/accounts \
--header 'X-API-KEY: {YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN}' \
--header 'accept: application/json' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--data '
{
"provider": "INSTAGRAM",
"username": "unipile",
"password": "********"
}
'
Handle 2FA checkpoint
If an Instagram account has the two-factor authentication activated, you will encounter a checkpoint through a 202 status. Here’s an example of a checkpoint response.
{
"object": "Checkpoint",
"account_id": "098dez89d",
"checkpoint": {
"type": "2FA"
}
}
In this case, a new Authentication Intent starts. This intent last 5 minutes and checkpoints must be solved in this time frame.
Solve 2FA checkpoint
To solve the 2FA checkpoint, make a POST request to the Unipile API using the Solve checkpoint endpoint or use an SDK Method by giving the account_id returned by the first request.
curl --request POST \
--url https://{YOUR_DSN}/api/v1/accounts/checkpoint \
--header 'X-API-KEY: {YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN}' \
--header 'accept: application/json' \
--header 'content-type: application/json' \
--data '
{
"provider": "INSTAGRAM",
"account_id": "098dez89d",
"code": "******"
}
'
Handle Intent Timeout
If the user takes more than 5 minutes to solve the checkpoint, the account will not be connected. Any subsequent request to solve a checkpoint outside a 5 minutes time frame will first respond a 408 – Request Timeout, then a 400 – Bad Request as the Authentication Intent will self destroy.
You’re ready to call Instagram endpoints
Start using Unipile’s Instagram messaging capabilities:
🟢 Read & send DMs: /api/v1/chats, /api/v1/messages
🟢 Real-time sync across user inboxes
🟢 Secure authentication flow without Facebook Login
Please note: Unipile is not a Meta Partner. Our API is designed only for messaging interoperability, and users must respect Meta’s Terms of Service (no scraping, no spam, no unauthorized automation).
👉 Full reference available in the Unipile developer docs.
Essential Instagram API Features for Software Integration
Instagram Features
Account connection
Hosted Auth: White label to connect your end users
Custom auth: connect user with credentials, cookies, your chrome extension
Messages
Send & Reply Messages
List Messages, Chats & Attendees
Sync History
List Reactions
Read Receipts
Send Files attachments
Receive Files attachments
Webhooks
Account status
New Message
New Reaction / Read / Event
Key Features of Instagram API by Unipile
List All Instagram Chats
curl --request GET \
--url https://api1.unipile.com:13111/api/v1/chats \
--header 'accept: application/json'
Unipile lets you fetch all recent Instagram conversations in a single API call. Whether for CRM, ATS, or support use cases, your app can display all active chats, with real-time updates, in a unified inbox alongside LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and Gmail. Perfect for multi-channel support or sales agents who don’t want to lose context.
Use Cases: Add Instagram to Your Product
CRM / Sales tools
Turn conversations into revenue.
Bring your users’ Instagram DMs and LinkedIn messages into your CRM. Centralize inboxes, reply faster, and trigger follow-ups, all without switching tools.
ATS / Recruiting
Reach talent where they talk.
Sync candidate DMs (Instagram) and manage LinkedIn conversations in a shared inbox. Assign messages, collaborate with teammates, and keep every thread visible in your ATS.
Outreach platforms
Multi-channel by design.
Build sequences that combine LinkedIn invitations and messages, Instagram DMs, and email, through one unified API. Keep it compliant, messaging-only on Meta, with smooth, in-app conversation management.
Explore more with
our Messaging API
In addition to Instagram, our platform connects with other key messaging channels like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Messenger, X (Twitter), and Telegram. By centralizing these platforms, you can manage DMs, comments, and engagement from a single interface — making it easier to track conversations, respond faster, and deliver a seamless user experience across all your channels.
Final Thoughts
Instagram is a must-have channel, but Meta’s stack wasn’t built for agile SaaS teams.
With Unipile, you unlock Instagram messaging inside your software without the friction of Meta’s ecosystem. Your users can read and reply to DMs, centralize conversations, and keep every interaction synced in real time, all from one unified inbox.
Please note: Unipile is not a Meta Partner. While we simplify integration, it remains essential to respect Meta’s Terms of Service at all times, no scraping, no spam, no unauthorized automation.
In just a few days, your app can support Instagram messaging, fully synced, fully integrated, and ready to scale responsibly.
Integration Support and Resources for Instagram API Success
Technical Setup Made Simple
Quickly integrate Instagram messaging features using our fully documented API and Python examples. Whether you’re embedding DMs, scheduling content, or syncing post insights, our tools are designed to help you go live in days, not weeks.
Expert Support for Smooth Deployment
Our technical team works directly with your developers to ensure a flawless onboarding experience. From API token management to debugging real-time messaging flows, Unipile experts are available to guide your integration every step of the way.
Continuous Improvements and Compatibility
We continuously align our Instagram API endpoints with Meta’s latest updates. This ensures your product benefits from every enhancement, without breaking changes or surprise deprecations. You stay up-to-date, with zero maintenance overhead.
FAQs
Is Instagram's API free?
Yes, Instagram’s Graph API is free to use. However, it comes with strict limitations: you must go through Facebook Login, link a Business or Creator account, and in many cases request approval from Meta.
With Unipile, you skip all that and access Instagram features directly — with full pricing transparency and no hidden quotas.
What is API for Instagram?
Instagram offers APIs to help developers access and manage accounts, media, insights, and messages. The official API from Meta is called the Instagram Graph API, designed for professional use with Business accounts.
Unipile simplifies this by offering a single API to connect Instagram (and other channels) with zero OAuth or app review required.
What data can you pull from the Instagram API?
With the right access, you can retrieve:
-
Published media (photos, videos, carousels)
-
Post and story insights (reach, impressions, engagement)
-
Comments and replies
-
Account-level stats
-
Messages (via the Messenger API for Instagram)
Unipile unifies all of this and makes it accessible from one consistent endpoint.
Can I post on Instagram with API?
Yes — but only via the Graph API and only for Business or Creator accounts, using Facebook Login.
With Unipile, you can post to Instagram (media + captions + scheduling) instantly, without needing to register a Meta app or wait for approval.
Is Unipile’s Instagram API DMA compliant?
Yes. Our API is designed in line with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). We only provide interoperability for messaging and do not store or scrape user profiles. Please note that Unipile is not a Meta Partner, and our solution focuses exclusively on secure and compliant messaging use cases.
Are there limits or conditions when using Unipile with Meta platforms?
Yes. Clients must always respect Meta’s Terms of Service. This means avoiding spam, mass automation, or unauthorized scraping. The API should only be used for legitimate messaging scenarios such as customer support, team communication, or user interactions, while acting responsibly and within Meta’s rules.
Do I need to be a Meta partner to use the Instagram API?
To unlock advanced features like messaging or publishing at scale, Meta often requires you to apply for Business App Review — which can take weeks and isn’t guaranteed.
Unipile removes this barrier: you don’t need to be a Meta partner to offer full Instagram functionality inside your product.
Can I use the Instagram API in my CRM or SaaS platform?
Absolutely — that’s what Unipile was built for. Our unified API lets you integrate Instagram alongside LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Gmail, and more. You can build outreach tools, inboxes, automation flows, and dashboards with Instagram fully integrated — in just a few days.
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