---
title: How to generate a Meta System User Access Token for Instagram
description: Create a non-expiring Meta System User Access Token to connect your Instagram Professional Account to the Buildfire Instagram plugin.
---

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# How to generate a Meta System User Access Token for Instagram

## Create a non-expiring Meta System User Access Token to connect your Instagram Professional Account to the Instagram plugin.

Creating a System User Access Token ensures your Instagram feed loads reliably inside your app. This process involves creating a Meta App, creating a System User, assigning permissions, and generating the token that you will paste into your Instagram plugin settings.

---

### **Requirements**

- An Instagram Professional Account (Business or Creator)
- A Facebook Page linked to your Instagram account
- Access to Meta for Developers (developer.facebook.com)
- Access to Meta Business Settings (business.facebook.com)

---

### **How to generate a Meta System User Access Token for Instagram**

1. Create a Meta App

     - Go to Meta for Developers and log in
     - Click **My Apps → Create App**
     - Name your app
     - In the sidebar, choose Content Management **→** Manage messaging & content on Instagram, then click **Next.**
     - Select **Business** as the app type
     - Review app details and choose your Business portfolio
2. Create a System User

     - Go to Meta Business Settings (business.facebook.com)
     - Select your Business Account
     - In the left menu, open **Users → System Users**
     - Click **Add**
     - Enter a name (e.g., “App\_Plugin\_Access”)
     - Set the role to **Admin** and click **Create System User**
3. Assign assets to the System User

     - Select the System User you just created
     - Click **Add Assets**
     - Choose **Apps**, select the Meta App you created, and enable **Manage App (Full Control)**
     - Save changes
     - Click **Add Assets** again

           1. Choose **Pages**
           2. Select the Facebook Page linked to your Instagram account
     - Save changes after toggling on the required permissions
4. Generate the System User Access Token

     - Select the System User
     - Click **Generate New Token**
     - Choose your App from the dropdown
     - Under Assign permissions, enable:

           1. instagram\_basic
           2. pages\_show\_list
           3. pages\_read\_engagement
     - Click **Generate Token**
     - Copy and save the token immediately (Meta will not show it again)
5. Add your Token to the Control Panel

     - Open your Control Panel
     - Go to the Instagram plugin
     - Click the **Settings** tab
     - Paste the token into the Access Token field
     - Save your changes

---

### **Troubleshooting & FAQs**

**My token stopped working**

- Standard user tokens expire.
- System User tokens are long-lived but can be invalidated if:

    1. App permissions change
    2. Your Meta App is edited or removed
    3. Page access is revoked
    4. Business ownership is modified

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