Leanbox

Connect Instagram

Step-by-step guide to connecting your Instagram account to Leanbox.

To connect Leanbox to Instagram you'll convert your account to a Business account, link it to a Facebook Page, create a Meta for Developers app, request the Instagram messaging permissions, and paste your app credentials into Leanbox.

Step 1: Set up an Instagram Business account (1 minute)

  1. Open the Instagram app and go to Settings > Account.
  2. Tap Switch to Professional Account, choose Business, and pick a category that fits your work.
  3. Complete the short setup flow to confirm the switch.

Already a Business account?

If your account is already a Business or Creator account, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Link Instagram to a Facebook Page (1 minute)

  1. In the Instagram app, go to Settings > Account > Linked Accounts > Facebook.
  2. Connect to an existing Facebook Page that you own, or create a new Page from the same screen.
  3. Confirm the link — Meta requires a Facebook Page on the same account to authorize Instagram messaging.

Step 3: Create a Meta for Developers app (2 minutes)

  1. Go to the Meta for Developers Console and log in with the Facebook account that owns the Page from Step 2.
  2. Click My Apps > Create App.
  3. Under Use case, select Other, then click the Other option with the subtitle "Your app will be created with the only experience". Click Next.
  4. Under App type, select Business and click Next.
  5. Enter an app name (e.g. Leanbox Integration) and click Create app.

Step 4: Configure your app settings (1 minute)

  1. In the left sidebar, click App settings > Basic.
  2. In the Privacy Policy URL field, enter the privacy policy URL for your app (e.g. https://your-leanbox-domain.com/privacy).
  3. Scroll to the bottom and click Save changes.

Step 5: Add yourself as an Instagram tester (1 minute)

  1. In the left sidebar, click App roles > Roles.
  2. Click the Add people button and select Instagram tester.
  3. Enter the username of your Instagram account and click Add.
  4. Open the Apps and Websites page on Instagram, go to Tester Invites, and accept your invite.

Accept the tester invite first

You must accept the tester invite before you can authorize the app — otherwise Meta will reject the connection.

Step 6: Set up Instagram Business Login (2 minutes)

  1. In the left sidebar, next to Products, click Add Product.

  2. Find Instagram in the list and click Set up.

  3. Click Set up Instagram Business Login.

  4. In the OAuth redirect URI field, enter:

    https://www.leanbox.app/api/instagram/callback

  5. Save your changes.

  6. At the top of the page, toggle App Development to Live.

Step 7: Connect Instagram in Leanbox (30 seconds)

  1. Back in App settings > Basic, copy the Instagram App ID and Instagram App Secret values.
  2. Open Leanbox and go to Settings.
  3. On the Instagram integration card, click Connect Instagram.
  4. Paste your App ID and App Secret from the previous step into the dialog.
  5. Click Save & Connect — you'll be redirected to Instagram.
  6. Sign in with the Instagram account you want to triage, then approve all requested permissions.
  7. You'll land back in Leanbox with the Instagram card showing a Connected status.

Heads up

You must approve all requested permissions — denying any will leave the connection in a broken state and Leanbox won't be able to read your DMs.

Connect Gmail

Step-by-step guide to connecting your Gmail account to Leanbox.

On this page

Step 1: Set up an Instagram Business account (1 minute)Step 2: Link Instagram to a Facebook Page (1 minute)Step 3: Create a Meta for Developers app (2 minutes)Step 4: Configure your app settings (1 minute)Step 5: Add yourself as an Instagram tester (1 minute)Step 6: Set up Instagram Business Login (2 minutes)Step 7: Connect Instagram in Leanbox (30 seconds)