To mention someone on Instagram using an Android device, type the "@" symbol immediately followed by their username in the text field of a post caption, comment, Story, or direct message. As you type, Instagram will show a dropdown list of matching accounts — tap the correct username from that list to complete the mention. This turns their name into a clickable link that takes people to that person's profile when tapped.
Here's how it works in different areas of the app:
- Comments and captions: When writing a caption for a new post or replying in the comments section, type "@" then start typing the username. Select the account from the suggestions that appear above the keyboard.
- Stories: Open the Stories camera, take or upload a photo/video, then tap the sticker icon (the square smiley face icon) at the top and choose the "@Mention" sticker, or simply type "@username" using the text tool. The mention will appear as a tappable sticker or link on your Story, and the mentioned account may receive a notification and the option to reshare it.
- Direct Messages: While typing a message, use "@" followed by the username to tag someone within the conversation, useful in group chats.
- Bio: You can also mention an account in your profile bio by typing "@" and their username, which creates a clickable link to their profile.
Note that the account must be public, or you must follow each other in some contexts, for the mention to reliably link and notify them properly. If someone has restricted or blocked you, or you don't share a connection depending on their privacy settings, the mention feature may not trigger a notification even if the tag still appears in text.
Keep in mind that Instagram periodically updates its interface, so icon placement (like the sticker icon in Stories) may shift slightly between app versions, but the core "@username" method remains consistent across captions, comments, DMs, Stories, and bios.