How to put your account private on instagram


Want to set your Instagram account private? Follow below-given steps

Here is a complete step by step guide which you can follow so that only approved followers can see what you share.

India Today Web Desk

New Delhi,UPDATED: Mar 13, 2020 18:55 IST

Steps you can follow to set your Instagram account to private | Representational image

By India Today Web Desk: If you want to hide your post content by a particular individual or group of people who might go looking for you on Instagram, you can change your privacy setting. By default, anyone can see your profile and posts on Instagram, but Instagram gives you the option to make your account private so that only followers you approve can see what you share.

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Do you know how to set your Instagram account to private? Here is a step by step guide which you can follow to set your Instagram account to private. If your account is set to private, then only would the followers you approved be able to see your photos or videos on hashtag or location pages.

How to set your account to private from the Instagram app

Here is a step-by-step guide which you can follow to set your Instagram account to private from the Instagram app. You can set your Instagram account to private from your Android as well as an iOS device.

Step 1: First you need to open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS device.
Step 2: Then go to your profile, then tap Settings.
Step 3: From the given option tap Privacy and then Account Privacy.
Step 4: Next you need to tap next to Private Account to make your account private.

How to set your account to private on your computer or mobile browser

If you want to set your account to private through your computer or using a mobile browser, you can follow the below-given steps:

Step 1: At first you need to go to instagram. com on your computer or mobile browser.
Step 2: After that you need to click Human icon, then click Menu.
Step 3: Next you need to click Privacy and Security.
Step 4: Below the Account Privacy, click to check the box next to Private Account.

So Instagram allows you to make your account private at any time. You can follow the above-given steps to make your account private. Remember, when you make your account private, your existing followers won't be affected.

Important points about private accounts
  • Remember that the private posts you share to social networks may be visible to the public depending on your privacy settings for those networks. For example, If you share a post to Twitter that was set to private on Instagram may be visible to the people who can see your Twitter posts.
  • Once you make your Instagram account private, people who want to follow you will have to send you a follow request to see your posts.
  • All the follow requests which you will receive will appear in
  • Activity, where you can approve or ignore them.
  • If someone who is already following you before you set your posts to private and you don't want them to see your posts, you can simply block them.
  • Any Instagram user can send a photo or video directly to you even if they're not following you.

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Apart from the above points, keep in mind that business profiles users will not be able to make their accounts private. In case if you want to make your business account private, you first have to switch back to a personal account.

(Information source: Instagram help)

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Edited By:

Roshni

Published On:

Mar 13, 2020

How to make your Instagram account private

With Instagram's standard personal account settings, anyone in the world can see your Instagram profile and any and all photo or video content that you post to the social service.

If you're sharing photos of your children, or images that reveal your home, or if you're just a private person, you may wish to protect your profile from snooping eyes. You can choose to make your Instagram account private. This means that only other Instagram users that you've approved can see your content.

If you're looking to turn your existing public account into a private one, we can help. Here's a simple walkthrough to take you from visible to privacy-protected, on iOS, Android, and via a browser.

How to make your Instagram account private on Android or iOS devices

It's a simple task to make your Instagram account private, you just need to find out where to do so. Start by opening the app and heading to your profile page by tapping the person-shaped icon at the bottom right-hand corner of your phone's screen.

Open the Instagram app, and find the little person icon. Credit: instagram

Then tap the three lines menu at the top right of your screen on your profile.

Click the three lines on your profile Credit: Instagram

Next, tap the cog-shaped icon at the top of the pop-up list that appears to take you to your settings menu.

Credit: instagram

In the next screen that appears, tap on "Privacy" next to the padlock-shaped icon.

A private instagram is a click away. Credit: INSTAGRAM

Then, look halfway down the next page to see your "Account Privacy" options. Tap this.

Credit: INSTAGRAM

Tap toggle the button to blue to "Private account" to change your Instagram account privacy settings. The first time you do this, Instagram will give you the useful option to review your current followers in case you want to revoke access for anyone on that list.

Once you set your instagram to private, people who don't follow you can no longer see your photos. Credit: INSTAGRAM

To make your account public again, simply toggle the Private account button back to white to deactivate the extra privacy.

Credit: INSTAGRAM

When you first do this, Instagram will show you a warning window to ensure you understand the changes you are making.

How to make your Instagram account private via a computer or mobile browser

If you'd rather change your setting on your laptop, or via a mobile browser, it's equally as simple. Head over to www.instagram.com on your computer or mobile browser and sign in if you aren't already.

In the top right-hand corner of your screen click on either of your account avatars to go to your profile page.

Credit: INSTAGRAM

Next, click the cog-shaped icon to bring up your settings menu.

Credit: INSTAGRAM

In the pop-up menu that appears click "Privacy and Security."

Credit: INSTAGRAM

Below the "Account Privacy" header at the top of your screen, click to check the box next to "Private Account."

Credit: instagram

What happens now your account is set to private

Now, only people who follow you will now be able to see your posts, your followers list or your following list.

If anyone visits your profile page, they will see your basic information, your profile photo, and a message stating "This Account is Private" giving further instructions on how to send a follow request.

Credit: INSTAGRAM

Any follow requests you receive will appear in your "Activity" feed. These can be viewed by tapping on the heart-shaped icon.

Credit: INSTAGRAM

It's entirely up to you whether you approve or ignore the follow requests that you receive.

Privacy first

Now that you've changed your privacy settings, there are some important points to remember.

  • When you make your account private, anyone who was already following you will still be able to see all of your posts

  • Anyone can still view your Instagram profile picture

  • Instagram users can still send you messages via Instagram Direct

  • People may still be able to see your private Instagram content if you share it via social media

Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account. If you're helping your teen set up their Instagram, then we'd strongly recommend making it a private account from the start. Or at least start a Finsta.

Similarly, if you're new to Instagram at any age, you may want to go down the private route — at least at first — while you become familiar with the platform and you build up your followers.

For even more Instagram How Tos:

  • How to best organize all your saved recipes on Instagram

  • How to clear your Instagram search history

  • How to save Instagram photos

  • The 34 best Instagram accounts to capture your hearts

Related Video: It's surprisingly easy to be more secure online

How to close an Instagram profile from strangers

By default, each registered account on the Instagram social network is open to all users. Any owner of an Instagram page can view posts and Stories, send private messages and leave comments. For those who do not like publicity, it is possible to hide their publications from outsiders.

  • Why restrict access to your Instagram account
  • How to close an Instagram profile using a smartphone or tablet
  • How to close an Instagram account using a computer
  • How to add or remove followers on a closed Instagram profile
  • How to make a closed Instagram profile reopen
  • How to close a business -profile on Instagram
  • In what cases it is necessary to close the profile on Instagram

In some cases, it becomes necessary to block annoying visitors so that they cannot interact with the owner of the Instagram account. Privacy settings allow you to restrict access to the profile to unwanted interlocutors, spammers and scammers. Also, such a decision may be due to the desire to hide their activity from a certain circle of people. nine0005

After activating a private Instagram profile, new followers will need to request permission to follow and view posts. Approve the application from each specific follower or reject, the creator of the account will decide. If a particular subscriber is undesirable, it can be removed using the option of the same name.

If you use Instagram through the official mobile application, the procedure is as follows:

  1. Log in to Instagram with your username and click on the avatar icon located in the lower right corner. nine0010
  2. Click on the three-bar icon at the top of the screen.
  3. In the pop-up menu, you must select the "Settings" item (on iOS devices it is called "Settings").
  4. On the new page, you will need to go to the "Privacy" section.
  5. In the "Closed account" line, you must turn the switch to the active position.
  6. To confirm, click on the "Make private" button. nine0010

After enabling this option, only existing followers, as well as those who have received appropriate approval from the account owner, will have access to visiting the page on Instagram. If a particular subscriber annoys with insults or unwanted communication, it is enough to add him to the so-called "black list".

To do this, you need to visit the profile of the ill-wisher and click on the ellipsis symbol at the top of the screen. After that, a list of functions will be displayed in which you will need to select the “Block” item. As a result, a window will appear with a warning that this user will no longer be able to write to you in Instagram Direct, view posts and Stories. This window will ask you to confirm the blocking of the user. nine0005

The procedure for activating a closed account on the desktop version of Instagram consists of the following steps:

  1. Go to the official Instagram website and log in to your account.
  2. In the upper corner, click on your avatar image.
  3. After that, a menu will open in which you will need to click on the "Settings" button.
  4. Next, you will need to go to the "Privacy and Security" tab.
  5. It remains to tick the box "Closed account" to restrict access to outsiders.

If you make your Instagram profile private, then new followers will have to send a subscription request to the account owner. The corresponding requests will appear in the "Actions" tab located on the bottom panel.

Applications can be approved or ignored at your discretion. In order to allow access to publications for a specific subscriber, you will need to click on the "Confirm" button located opposite the profile picture. nine0005

To return the ability to see your posts on Instagram to strangers, you need to follow the reverse procedure. To do this, in the Instagram profile settings, you need to go to the "Privacy" section. Then uncheck the box next to the "Closed account" line, turning your account into a public one.

A warning will appear on the screen that the privacy settings have changed, and now all users will be able to visit the page without the approval of the creator. Here you will need to confirm your action by clicking on the "OK" button. nine0005

For a business account on Instagram, switching to a closed profile type is inappropriate, since such an action is guaranteed to lead to the loss of some of the existing followers. In addition, this feature is only available for personal accounts. It is important to understand that Instagram is characterized by an engaged audience that actively engages with business account holders.

Potential customers will want to familiarize themselves with the assortment of the promoted brand. This will not be possible if the creator restricts entry to interested users. nine0005

This feature will be useful in cases where there is a desire to protect your page from uninvited guests and unfriendly commentators, and make your stay on the Instagram social network more comfortable. After that, only current subscribers will be able to view the published photos, videos and stories. If you do not have the task of promoting your account and gaining more followers, then you may like this solution.

In addition, the "Restrictions" function is available in Instagram, which allows you to get rid of a group of users. After its activation, messages and comments will be hidden from unwanted users (until the account owner approves it). nine0005

Kristina Gorbunova author

How to close an Instagram profile from outsiders

By default, each registered account on the Instagram social network is open to all users. Any owner of an Instagram page can view posts and Stories, send private messages and leave comments. For those who do not like publicity, it is possible to hide their publications from outsiders. nine0005

  • Why restrict access to your Instagram account
  • How to close an Instagram profile using a smartphone or tablet
  • How to close an Instagram account using a computer
  • How to add or remove followers on a private Instagram profile
  • How to make it private Instagram profile reopened
  • How to close a business profile on Instagram
  • When to close an Instagram profile

In some cases, it becomes necessary to block annoying visitors so that they cannot interact with the owner of the Instagram account. Privacy settings allow you to restrict access to the profile to unwanted interlocutors, spammers and scammers. Also, such a decision may be due to the desire to hide their activity from a certain circle of people.

After activating a private Instagram profile, new followers will need to request permission to follow and view posts. Approve the application from each specific follower or reject, the creator of the account will decide. If a particular subscriber is undesirable, it can be removed using the option of the same name. nine0005

If you use Instagram through the official mobile application, the procedure is as follows:

  1. Log in to Instagram with your username and click on the avatar icon located in the lower right corner.
  2. Click on the three-bar icon at the top of the screen.
  3. In the pop-up menu, you must select the "Settings" item (on iOS devices it is called "Settings").
  4. On the new page, you will need to go to the "Privacy" section. nine0010
  5. In the "Closed account" line, you need to turn the switch to the active position.
  6. To confirm, click on the "Make private" button.

After enabling this option, only existing followers, as well as those who have received appropriate approval from the account owner, will have access to visiting the page on Instagram. If a particular subscriber annoys with insults or unwanted communication, it is enough to add him to the so-called "black list". nine0005

To do this, you need to visit the profile of the ill-wisher and click on the ellipsis symbol at the top of the screen. After that, a list of functions will be displayed in which you will need to select the “Block” item. As a result, a window will appear with a warning that this user will no longer be able to write to you in Instagram Direct, view posts and Stories. This window will ask you to confirm the blocking of the user.

The procedure for activating a closed account on the desktop version of Instagram consists of the following steps:

  1. Go to the official website of Instagram and log in to your account.
  2. In the upper corner, click on your avatar image.
  3. After that, a menu will open in which you will need to click on the "Settings" button.
  4. Next, you will need to go to the "Privacy and Security" tab.
  5. It remains to tick the box "Closed account" to restrict access to outsiders.

If you make your Instagram profile private, then new followers will have to send a subscription request to the account owner. The corresponding requests will appear in the "Actions" tab located on the bottom panel. nine0005

Applications can be approved or ignored at your discretion. In order to allow access to publications for a specific subscriber, you will need to click on the "Confirm" button located opposite the profile picture.

To return the ability to see your posts on Instagram to strangers, you need to follow the reverse procedure. To do this, in the Instagram profile settings, you need to go to the "Privacy" section. Then uncheck the box next to the "Closed account" line, turning your account into a public one. nine0005

A warning will appear on the screen stating that the privacy settings have changed, and now all users will be able to visit the page without the approval of the creator. Here you will need to confirm your action by clicking on the "OK" button.

For a business account on Instagram, switching to a private profile type is inappropriate, since such an action is guaranteed to lead to the loss of some of the existing followers. In addition, this feature is only available for personal accounts. It is important to understand that Instagram is characterized by an engaged audience that actively engages with business account holders. nine0005

Potential customers will want to familiarize themselves with the assortment of the promoted brand. This will not be possible if the creator restricts entry to interested users.

This feature will be useful in cases where you want to protect your page from uninvited guests and unfriendly commentators, and make your stay on the Instagram social network more comfortable.


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