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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 Buildfire 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., “Buildfire_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 Buildfire

    • Open your Buildfire 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