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How to find phone contacts on instagram


How to Find Your Contacts on Instagram

By: Jenn Herman and Eric Butow and Corey Walker and

Updated: 11-14-2022

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If you're new to Instagram, you may be wondering where to start. Instagram (and its daddy, Facebook) is happy to help you make connections. You can find people in a few different ways.

Finding your Facebook friends

Facebook has a vested interest in making Instagram grow, so it tries to encourage you to round up your Facebook friends and bring them over to Instagram. It’s an easy way for you to find people.

To find friends on Facebook, follow these steps:

  1. Go to your Instagram profile page by tapping your photo at the bottom right of your phone’s screen.
  2. Tap the person with a plus (and possibly a red number) at the top left.
  3. Tap the Facebook link at the top of your screen.
  4. Confirm your Facebook login by tapping OK.The screen displays how many Facebook friends you have on Instagram.
  5. Tap either Follow All or Follow.To follow every one of your Facebook friends on Instagram, tap Follow All. If you’d rather be more selective, especially because you'll likely be promoting your product or service, you may want to follow friends one by one. Simply tap Follow next to each friend you’d like to connect with, and keep scrolling and following!

Instagram displays all Facebook friends who are available to follow on Instagram.

Some of your friends may have set their accounts to private. In this case, you see Requested after you tap Follow. They need to approve you before you can view their profile and posts.

Syncing your contact list

Instagram can also connect you with the contacts stored on your phone or tablet. After you activate this feature, your contacts are periodically synced with Instagram’s servers. Instagram does not follow anyone on your behalf, and you can disconnect your contacts at any time so that Instagram cannot access them.

This feature may be best as a one-and-done in the beginning versus a constant connection for privacy purposes.

To connect your contacts, follow these steps:
  1. Go to your Instagram profile page by tapping your photo at the bottom right of your phone’s screen.
  2. Tap the small person with a plus (and possibly a red number) at the top left.
  3. Tap the Contacts link.The next screen tells you that Instagram will find people you know, and you're given the option to follow them.
  4. To proceed, tap Connect Contacts.Another pop-up asks whether Instagram can access your contacts.
  5. Tap Allow Access.
  6. A pop-up appears asking you to allow Instagram access to your Contacts. This is your last chance to cancel your decision to allow Instagram to access your contacts.
  7. Tap OK.The pop-up goes away, and the Contacts screen appears.
  8. Follow all your contacts on Instagram by tapping Follow All, or choose which contacts to follow by tapping Follow next to each one.

Instagram can pull contacts from your phone’s saved contacts for you to select to follow.

If you change your mind at some point and want to disallow Instagram’s access to your contacts, tap the wheel icon on your profile page, scroll down to Settings, and then tap Contacts. Tap the Connect Contacts toggle to return it to white, which terminates Instagram’s access.

About This Article

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How to Find Contacts on Instagram

Device Links

  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Chromebook
  • Mac
  • Windows
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One of the key features of Instagram is to create connections among users. People can easily find and connect with a large community, whether these are through mutual friends, interests, or used hashtags. All it takes is a few simple clicks.

Suppose you’re interested in finding new contacts on Instagram. In that case, this article explains how to link device contacts, connect to Facebook contacts, and search for people so you can start following new and exciting profiles.

How to Find Contacts on Instagram using iOS/iPhone

Assuming you want to connect to more people on Instagram, you can use your phone contacts, as well as your Facebook Friends list. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the “Instagram app.”

  2. Click on your “profile icon” to open the “Profile” page.

  3. Click on the “hamburger icon,” then click on “Discover People.”

  4. Tap on the “Connect to Facebook” or “Connect Contacts” option. You can do both by repeating all steps for the other choice later.
  5. Select “Allow Access” in the popup window and your contacts begin to synchronize.

Note: You can also use Search to find more people. Tap on the “magnifying glass icon” at the top of the screen and search people by their username, place, or tags. You’ll always have various profiles to scroll through under the “Search” box to find someone new to follow.

How to Find Contacts on Instagram using Android

If you made a new Instagram profile, haven’t used it in a while, or you’re just eager to find more people to follow, you can use your Google Contacts list and your Facebook Friends list on Instagram. Don’t worry. You still have to “Follow” them to add them to your “Following” list. Here’s how to add Google Contacts and Facebook Friends to Instagram using Android.

  1. Open the Android Instagram app, then click on your “profile icon” in the bottom-right section to open your Profile page.
  2. In the “Discover People” section, tap on “See All.”
  3. Tap on “Connect Contacts” at the top, then go to the next step. You can also choose “Connect to Facebook” and then skip to “Step 6.”
  4. To allow contacts access, tap on “Allow Access.”
  5. After connecting Instagram to Google or IOS Contacts, browse “Top Suggestions,” which is first in the list or head to “Most Mutual Connections” underneath it.
  6. When you find a person on the list that you want to add to your Instagram account, tap “Follow” or tap on the
    “profile” first for verification, then tap “Follow” from there instead.
  7. Return to “Top Suggestions” or “Most Mutual Connections,” then tap “See All.” Select “Connect to Facebook” at the top to link more contacts to Instagram.

If you find that your Google account’s Contact list didn’t add much to Instagram, you may need to access a different Google account in your “Contacts” app or change your default account on Android. Check your contacts first to see what gets stored under the current main account. For instance, your primary Google account may not be the one with most of your contacts, or the existing main account in your Android device is not your real main account.

When we tested the process out on Android 11, we had to go to “Contacts,” tap the vertical ellipsis (vertical three-dots), choose “Select All,” and then add or merge contacts from a different account.

Contacts Not Showing Up on Instagram

Some contacts may not show up on Instagram based on the available information. For instance, a name with an old phone number or a mailing address won’t have any practical or usable information. In addition, a contact that has not registered for an Instagram account won’t display either.

Furthermore, Instagram only provides recommendations based on your contacts and those with an active Instagram account with any credentials from your contact details. Instagram can also use Facebook information to populate your search lists, such as their phone number or email address. In summary, some of your contacts will show up in the list to follow while others won’t.

How to Find Instagram Contacts on Windows, Mac, or Chromebook

When you open Instagram on your computer, here’s how you can find new contacts:

  1. On the upper right corner, click on the “compass icon.”

  2. On top of the new page, use the “Search box” to type any profile name or personal name and find the profiles you want to follow.

How to Find Instagram Contacts by Phone Number

Here’s how to find new people on Instagram using their phone number:

  1. Save someone’s phone number in your contacts list on your phone.
  2. Open “Instagram” on the phone where you saved the number.
  3. Go to the “Profile” page.

  4. Click on the “hamburger icon” (three lines), and you’ll see the menu tab on the right.

  5. Tap on “Discover People,” and you’ll see an option to connect your account with Facebook or your phone contacts.

  6. Choose “Connect” and allow Instagram to access your phone or Facebook contact lists. Here, you’ll also see profile suggestions.

If someone didn’t use their mobile phone to register their account, you most likely wouldn’t be able to find them through the contacts list. In that case, it’s best to use the “Search” option.

Adding Contacts through Instagram Search

You can also add people directly to Instagram based on a username or real name.

  1. Click the magnifying glass at the bottom on Android/iOS or the search bar at the top on a PC browser, then type the name.
  2. Results appear and get populated based on connections and other algorithms.

Bear in mind that the person may not have associated/registered Instagram with the actual name or username you have synced on your device. You can also search Instagram by tags or places, but that process makes it more challenging to find what you want.

In closing, finding and adding your contacts on Instagram has never been more straightforward. All you need to know is where to look for them, and Instagram developers have made sure that it’s just a click away. Once you know all the tricks, you’ll have your family and friends as Instagram friends.

Finding New Instagram Contacts FAQs

What do I do if Instagram’s Find Contacts isn’t working?

When you allow Instagram to upload all your phone contacts, you should see them on the app or through the browser. Since contacts get synchronized periodically, give it some time. If you still can’t access any of them, you’ll have to disconnect contact syncing and reconnect it.

Open Instagram and click on your profile photo. Click on the “hamburger icon” (three-line icon) and select “Settings.” Go to “Account and Contacts Syncing.” From there, turn off syncing and click on “Disconnect.” This option deletes all your contacts, leaving your list empty.

Why is Find Contacts on Instagram blank?

At times, syncing contacts may not run smoothly, and your contact list might remain empty. The only way to solve this is to disconnect and reconnect your contacts’ synchronization a few times.

How to find a person on Instagram by phone number

Surely you did not know about one interesting trick in Instagram - the social network can find a person by phone number. Let's tell you how you can quickly find a person's account on Instagram, knowing his phone number.

October 02, 2021 Miscellaneous

3 minutes, 3 seconds to read

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Miscellaneous

The search is easy, but requires compliance with important conditions:

How to find a person on Instagram

Instructions for enabling synchronization:

1. Add the phone number of the person you need to your contacts;

2. Log in to your account and click on the "three stripes" icon in the upper right corner;

3. Select "Settings" > "Account" > "Account Sync"

4. In the Connect Contact List section, move the slider to the right

Now you have synchronized your contacts with Instagram and the service will save all numbers, including the contact of the user whose account you are looking for. It will search its database. If the recorded phone is linked to a page, it will be displayed in the list of synchronized ones.

How to check the list of linked numbers:

1. Wait for the synchronization to complete and go to the "Settings" of the application again

2. From the list of sections, click "Interesting People". The profiles of the people in your phonebook with their associated numbers will be displayed first.

3. Find a user account by name and profile picture.

Please note that other users will be able to find your account in the same way.

How to remove or hide a number on Instagram

There are several proven ways to remove your phone number from Instagram so that other people cannot find your profile:

  • Do not link the page to your mobile number. We do not recommend using it because you will need a phone number to recover your account or password.
  • Link your profile to a virtual number. We also do not recommend using the method, since you can easily lose access to such a number.
  • Connect your account to a phone no one knows about. Use the SIM card with the new number to bind the number and get the verification code, then put it in a safe place. In the event that you need to restore your account, the SIM card will be at your fingertips.

Do not forget about the main rule: if you do not use the number for a long time, the operator will deactivate it. Specify in advance about the conditions necessary to save the number, such as account replenishment / calls / SMS.

The “confusion” of the latter method justifies its effectiveness: you will be able to remain anonymous, and at the same time not lose access to your Instagram page.

Why can't I recognize Instagram by number

  • The user does not have a page in the application
  • the page is linked to another number;
  • other avatars/account names or fake pages are linked in the list of connected contacts. As a result, it is impossible to determine which page belongs to your friend.

You can find the Instagram of any user by phone number in a few simple clicks. Don't forget, if you've linked a different number to hide the real one, Instagram's smart algorithm still knows who your friends are.

How to find a person on Instagram by phone number

Connecting with people is one of the main goals of social networks and online networks. And since networking starts with finding the people you want to connect with, it's important to know how to do it. Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and all other popular social media platforms have different methods of finding people.

Table of contents

Find people on Instagram by phone number

Find someone by phone number

Method 1: use the native option

Method 2: let Instagram find your friends

Warnings

Stay in touch with your friends



You can use any of the social networks to find people who share common interests with you , and add them or follow their updates.

The most common method of finding people on social networks is to look for their usernames or legal names. But it's an inefficient method of finding someone you know because multiple people use the same username and username on the same app. Besides, it takes quite a long time. Searching for a person by phone number is a more efficient approach.

Did you know: You can control and limit your Instagram posts and stories in four different ways.

Finding people on Instagram by phone number

Accessing your contacts or address book to find friends is a feature shared by Facebook and Twitter. However, few people know that people on Instagram can also be found by their phone numbers. It's pretty nifty and hidden in the Instagram app.

If you don't remember the username, full name, or any of your Instagram friend's name(s), it's okay. You can find them and contact them by phone number - this only works if they have added it to their Instagram account.

Disclaimer: This manual is for personal use only. If you use it to report, harass, stalk or harass strangers on Instagram, it is a criminal offense in several regions. Check the law in your country before continuing with this guide.

Find someone by phone number

First, you need to make sure that the person's number is saved in your phone's contacts phone book. Also, if you want to find more than one person, make sure their phone number is saved in your device's (Android or iOS) phonebook. Only then do the following.

Method 1: Use the native option

Step 1: Launch the Instagram app on your phone and tap the Profile icon in the bottom left corner of the app.



Step 2: On your profile page, tap the Hamburger menu icon in the top right corner to open the profile option. Select Find people.



Step 3: On the Find People page, go to the Contacts section and click the Connect Contacts button.



Step 4: If this is your first time using this feature, Instagram will ask you to access your phone's contacts. Click "Allow" to grant Instagram access to your contact list.



This will allow the app to access your contact list and identify people who are already on Instagram.

Step 5: Once you've given the app access to your contact, Instagram will automatically sync the phone numbers from your phone to your account.

All Instagram accounts associated with the phone number in your contact will appear in the Contacts section of the Find/Discover People page. Then you can move on to choosing who you want to follow.

Note: Sharing your contacts with Instagram will automatically enable contact sync, meaning your contacts are periodically synced and stored on Instagram's servers.

Step 6: If none of the phone numbers in your contacts list is associated with an Instagram account, the message "No contacts available" will appear.



If you can't find your friends by phone number, there are only two reasons. Either they registered under a different number, or they didn't add a number at all.

Method 2: let Instagram find your friends

Step 1: Launch the Instagram app and go to the "Profile" section of the app.



Step 2: Tap the Hamburger menu icon in the top left corner and select Settings at the bottom of the screen.



Step 3: On the app's settings page, select Subscribe and Invite Friends.



Step 4: On the next page, select Follow Contact and Instagram will display all the usernames (read: Instagram accounts) associated with the phone number in your contact list.



Step 5: If none of the phone numbers in your contact list are listed on Instagram, the message "No contacts available" will appear on the screen.

Whenever your contact joins Instagram using their phone number, or connects their phone number to their Instagram account, they appear in the Contacts section of the app.

Warnings

  • Trying to find someone you don't know that well (personally) on Instagram using their phone number can be considered unethical.
  • You won't be able to find people who haven't linked their phone numbers to their Instagram accounts using the two methods above.

Stay in touch with friends

Now that you know how to connect and find people on Instagram by their phone numbers, start using that knowledge to connect with friends and family in your contact list.

Watch this video tutorial from our Guiding Tech YouTube channel (in English):

Next: Do you sometimes feel like someone blocked you on Instagram? Especially when their posts and stories stop showing up in your feed.

Learn more