diff --git a/commands.go b/commands.go
index 3b323a3..a7b1433 100644
--- a/commands.go
+++ b/commands.go
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ var cmdToggleEncryption = &commands.FullHandler{
 }
 
 func fnToggleEncryption(ce *WrappedCommandEvent) {
-	if !ce.Bridge.Config.Meta.Mode.IsMessenger() {
+	if !ce.Bridge.Config.Meta.Mode.IsMessenger() && !ce.Bridge.Config.Meta.IGE2EE {
 		ce.Reply("Encryption support is not yet enabled in Instagram mode")
 		return
 	} else if !ce.Portal.IsPrivateChat() {
diff --git a/config/config.go b/config/config.go
index 49de7e9..8fea57a 100644
--- a/config/config.go
+++ b/config/config.go
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ type Config struct {
 
 	Meta struct {
 		Mode         BridgeMode `yaml:"mode"`
+		IGE2EE       bool       `yaml:"ig_e2ee"`
 		Proxy        string     `yaml:"proxy"`
 		GetProxyFrom string     `yaml:"get_proxy_from"`
 	} `yaml:"meta"`
diff --git a/config/upgrade.go b/config/upgrade.go
index 3f92244..a3db980 100644
--- a/config/upgrade.go
+++ b/config/upgrade.go
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ func DoUpgrade(helper *up.Helper) {
 	helper.Copy(up.Str, "metrics", "listen")
 
 	helper.Copy(up.Str, "meta", "mode")
+	helper.Copy(up.Bool, "meta", "ig_e2ee")
 	helper.Copy(up.Str|up.Null, "meta", "proxy")
 	helper.Copy(up.Str|up.Null, "meta", "get_proxy_from")
 
diff --git a/example-config.yaml b/example-config.yaml
index 57aeadc..3a8236b 100644
--- a/example-config.yaml
+++ b/example-config.yaml
@@ -94,6 +94,9 @@ meta:
     #
     # Remember to change the appservice id, bot profile info, bridge username_template and management_room_text too.
     mode: instagram
+    # When in Instagram mode, should the bridge connect to WhatsApp servers for encrypted chats?
+    # In FB/Messenger mode encryption is always enabled, this option only affects Instagram mode.
+    ig_e2ee: false
     # Static proxy address (HTTP or SOCKS5) for connecting to Meta.
     proxy:
     # HTTP endpoint to request new proxy address from, for dynamically assigned proxies.
diff --git a/user.go b/user.go
index c16857a..3207a3e 100644
--- a/user.go
+++ b/user.go
@@ -935,7 +935,7 @@ func (user *User) eventHandler(rawEvt any) {
 		user.BridgeState.Send(status.BridgeState{StateEvent: status.StateConnected})
 		user.tryAutomaticDoublePuppeting()
 		user.handleTable(evt.Table)
-		if user.bridge.Config.Meta.Mode.IsMessenger() {
+		if user.bridge.Config.Meta.Mode.IsMessenger() || user.bridge.Config.Meta.IGE2EE {
 			go func() {
 				err := user.connectE2EE()
 				if err != nil {