How to take your instagram account off private
How to Change an Instagram Profile From Private to Public | Small Business
By Ashley Donohoe Updated January 19, 2021
When you made an Instagram profile to showcase your company or interact with other professionals in your field, you may have initially opted for a personal account that you can choose to make private or public. While having an Instagram private account offers some security benefits, you might prefer to go public to make your content accessible to more users. Fortunately, Instagram makes it easy to switch your account from private to public. You also have the option to switch to a professional public account that can provide you with marketing and analytical tools.
Comparing Instagram Account Types
Instagram offers both personal and professional accounts, and the privacy options and account features differ for these types.
MailUp mentions that some businesses might forego the professional account since it doesn't have a private option. Instead, they might prefer a personal Instagram account and make it private to protect their privacy, reduce spam and filter followers. However, Instagram public professional accounts include extras such as a contact button, permissions for others to help manage the account, and marketing analytical tools that aren't available for personal accounts.
While public accounts of any type are visible to any non-blocked user and make it easy to reach a large audience, private accounts require a follower request to view. Instagram warns some private posts can still be spread around the web since followers might take a screenshot or download the images and post them online for others to see.
Changing Your Profile to Public
To change your personal Instagram private account to public, Instagram advises you to use either the Instagram website or app. If you have multiple Instagram accounts for your work, be sure to switch to the right one before proceeding with the following steps based on your device:
- Instagram mobile website: Go to your profile tab and click the gear icon on the top of the page.
Go to "Privacy and Security" and uncheck the "Private Account" box.
- Instagram mobile app: As with the mobile website, go to your profile tab but proceed by selecting the "Settings" option from the hamburger menu on the top of the app screen. The "Settings" option brings up a list of options where you'll see one for "Privacy." You can then clear the "Private Account" box.
- Instagram desktop website: Click your profile image on the top of the page to show the "Settings" option. Go to the "Privacy and Security" option to find the "Private Account" check box and clear it.
Regardless of which device you use, you'll see a confirmation message in which you need to OK the change to make your Instagram account public. Keep in mind that you can go back to the same check box at any time to set a personal account to private again if you change your mind.
Upgrading to a Professional Account
If you want to move forward with a professional Instagram account, select the "Account" option from the "Settings" in the Instagram app; this feature isn't available through the mobile or desktop website.
You'll find an option there to set up or switch to a professional account. If you proceed, you can expect to walk through several steps for filling out your new business profile and linking it to your Facebook page if you have one.
Viewing an Instagram Private Account
If you're on the other side as a user who wants to view someone's private account, Business Insider notes that the easiest option is to use the profile's "Follow" button to send a request to get access. Other options include running a search for the person's Instagram account name to see if any photos have been posted elsewhere or have someone you know who is a follower show you the post.
While you might see a website or app that claims to be a private Instagram viewer, beware of using such a tool. Upleap warns that a private Instagram profile viewer might be a scam that steals your information or infects your device. Even if you gain access to the private profile with one of these services, the images may be low quality or blurry.
References
- Instagram: About Professional Accounts
- Instagram: How Do I Set My Instagram Account to Private So That Only Approved Followers Can See What I Share?
- Instagram: Privacy Settings & Information
- MailUp: Good and Bad Things About Using a Private Instagram Account for Branding
- Business Insider: How to View a Private Instagram Account in a Few Different Ways – Though the Best Way Is to Just Send a Follow Request
- Upleap: Should You Use a Private Instagram Viewer?
- Instagram: Set Up a Business Account on Instagram
Writer Bio
Ashley Donohoe started writing professionally online in 2010. Having a Master of Business Administration degree and experience running a small business, she is knowledgeable in the issues and decisions that small business owners face. Other places featuring her business writing include JobHero, LoveToKnow, Bizfluent, PocketSense and Study.com.
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 devicesIt'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.
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 privateNow, 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 firstNow 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 your Instagram account*
May 4, 2020LikbezTechnology
Hide your photos and videos from strangers.
Share
0If you do not like publicity and do not want strangers to view your content, close your profile.
After that, all the stories and posts added to it will be available only to existing subscribers and people whom you allow to follow you in the future.
Even if you add a hashtag to the photo, outsiders will not be able to find it in the search. In addition, your content will not be recommended.
After closing your account, you can open it again at any time.
How to close your Instagram* profile using the mobile app
Open Settings. Go to the "Privacy" → "Account Privacy" section and enable the "Private account" option.
To open your profile, go to Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy again and turn off the “Closed Account” option.
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- How to clean up your gadgets, since you still have to stay at home
How to close your Instagram account * through the site
Open the settings: click on the profile icon in the upper right corner, and then click on the gear. In the menu that appears, select "Privacy and security" and check the "Closed account" box.
To open the profile, click again in the "Privacy and security" settings and uncheck the "Closed account" box.
How to close an Instagram author or business account*
If you previously switched from a regular profile to an author or business account, you won't be able to close that page. These types of accounts are for public users who promote their brand. Therefore, they do not imply the possibility of closure.
The only way out is to switch back to a regular account. This can be done in the Instagram* mobile app. Click in the settings "Account" → "Switch to personal account" and follow the prompts of the system.
After switching to a regular profile, you can close it as described above.
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- 15 best apps for Instagram* Stories
- How to change your Instagram nickname or name*
- How to view your Instagram profile statistics*
- How to download Instagram photos* to your computer, tablet or smartphone
- How to close your VKontakte profile
*Activity of Meta Platforms Inc. and its social networks Facebook and Instagram are prohibited in the territory of the Russian Federation.
How to close an Instagram account 2021
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Someone actively promotes their profile, and someone wants to close their Instagram account from prying eyes. You can do this in a couple of clicks, you just need to find the desired item in the settings.
Now Instagram has updated the "Settings" section. We are posting screenshots of how to close your Instagram account after the 2022 update.
How to close your Instagram account in 2022 after the
update Below you will find instructions on how to close your Instagram profile so that posts and Stories are only visible to followers. Even on anonymous browsing sites, your Stories will not be viewable.
If you want to temporarily hide your account from everyone, you can block it. And if only from a specific person, then block his profile.
- Log in to your account, go to Settings (this is how they look after the 2022 update).
- On some phones in 2022, the settings menu looks like this:
- Scroll down and find the "Privacy" item, after - "Closed account" drag the slider to the right.
- Make account private? Click Make Private
How to add or remove followers on a private Instagram profile
When someone wants to follow you, you will need to go to notifications and confirm or decline the subscription.
In order for one of the already approved subscribers to no longer see your posts, he must be removed from the subscribers. Open the list of your subscribers, find the right one. Click the three dots on the right, select "Delete". Your subscriber will not know about this until he goes to your profile (he will not be able to see the posts anymore and will understand that he was removed from the subscribers).
How to open a closed account on Instagram
To open the account back, repeat all the same steps (screenshots above). Open the settings, find "Privacy and security", after - "Account privacy".
"Closed Account" Drag the slider to the left. "Make the account public?" Click OK.
How to make a private business account on Instagram?
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None. If you have an account with connected statistics (business account), then you can make it closed only by transferring it back to your personal account. Business accounts were invented to make promotion on Instagram more efficient. Accordingly, such an account should be open in order to attract a maximum of subscribers. Still want to close your profile? Switch to a personal account without statistics and then close it according to the instructions above.
How to switch back to a personal account is in the article: How to make a business account on Instagram.
What is the difference between a closed Instagram account and an open one?
In 2020, after the update, only the interface has changed, while all the advantages and disadvantages of a closed account have remained the same.
