By default the images you share on your Instagram profile can be viewed by virtually anyone that signed up with an account on the app. If you’d rather stay under the radar instead, there are a few things you can do to hide your Instagram account and prevent your contacts and other people from finding you on the social network. Show
For example, by removing specific information, even if someone has your phone number, they won’t be able to find you on Instagram. Follow along with this guide, as we detail additional options that will help you stay hidden from prying eyes. ContentRemove Your Facebook Account From InstagramTo make sharing easier, Instagram allows you to link your Facebook account to the app (and vice versa.) If you want to prevent people from finding you on Instagram, we advise against it. Linking the two accounts means both apps will have access to the others’ friend list. So whenever a Facebook friend of yours creates an account on Instagram, your profile will show up as a friend suggestion. Since this is something we want to avoid, go ahead and remove your Facebook connection from Instagram.
Once you unlink your Facebook account, you will no longer risk appearing as a friend suggestion for any of your Facebook friends joining Instagram. Make Your Account PrivateSetting your account to private is one of the easiest ways to make your profile less visible. Even if someone does eventually find you, they won’t be able to see your posts unless you give them express permission to do so.
Remove Your Phone Number from InstagramBefore you go ahead with removing your phone number from Instagram, keep in mind that you won’t be able to have the two-factor authentication feature enabled. You also need to have a verified email address for this to work, since Instagram does require at least one verified way to contact you in case of emergency. You can disable two-factor-authentication by going to “Settings -> Security -> Two-Factor Authentication” and turning it off from there.
Once your phone number is removed, people who have saved your digits to their mobile won’t be able to find you once they activate “Connect Contacts.” Speaking of which, you’ve probably used the option yourself back when you were setting up your Instagram account for the first time. Still, if you wish to stay hidden, you should relinquish this functionality. You’ll need to use your mobile device for this.
Prevent Your Friends From Finding You in Similar AccountsThe person you’re trying to hide from can easily find you if they happen to follow an account similar to yours. To prevent this from happening, go to Instagram on your desktop browser. Strangely enough, you won’t be able to turn off this option from your phone or tablet.
From here, it’s also possible to add or remove your phone number, in case you didn’t follow the steps described above. Turn Your Online Status OffIf you want even more privacy, turning your online status off is a step in the right direction. To hide your online status from others on Instagram for mobile:
Block Certain AccountsWant to make absolutely sure someone can’t find you no matter what? Block their account if you know their username.
Temporary Deactivate Your AccountThe only way to be 100% sure someone will never find you is if you erase your account. But since that’s a bit drastic, you can opt instead to temporary disable your account and get some peace of mind. This means your photos, likes, and comments will be hidden until you decide to log back into the app. Note: You can only deactivate your account once a week. To deactivate your account you must use Instagram on a PC or log into your account into a mobile browser.
Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I control who messages me on Instagram?If you wish to control who you interact with on Instagram via Direct Messages you can. Go to “Settings -> Privacy -> Messages” and set up “Message Requests” for people who follow you and those who don’t. This means Direct messages won’t automatically go to your Instagram Inbox, but will be lodged in a “Request” tab from where you can quickly delete them. Also make sure you tweak the settings for who can add you in “Group chats” and to “Groups” if you don’t want to socialize more than you have to. How do I remove an Instagram follower?Go to your profile and tap on “Followers” next to your profile picture. The list of accounts that follow you will become visible. Tap on the “Remove” button next to the account you want to get rid of to delete them from your list. Instagram won’t notify that particular account that you’ve removed it. If I block an account, can the person behind it still contact/follow me via another account?Unfortunately, yes. This is why we recommend making your account private, so you can screen any account that wants to follow you and identify any potential shady accounts you don’t want to have in your list. Image credit: Ibadah Mimpi via Pexels. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici. Is this article useful? Subscribe to our newsletter! Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox Will my friends know if I create another Instagram account?They won't know that it is you unless you link your new account to your facebook/twitter. Because it will most likely put you on the “suggestions for you” section for your friends, though this doesn't mean they'll know it's run by you unless your account is public and you have pictures of yourself posted.
How do I create an Instagram account without notifying friends?If you want to make your Instagram profile even harder to find, here are a few simple tips that could help:. Make your account private.. Don't show your face in your profile photo.. Remove your name, website, and bio, all of which could point to the account being yours.. Use an anonymous email.. How can you tell if someone has multiple Instagram accounts?How to Tell if Someone Has More Than One Instagram Account. Read their bio.. Check your recommended friends.. Sync your phone contacts.. Look at who follows them.. Search for their name on Instagram.. Google them.. Do a reverse image search on one of their photos.. Find their other social media accounts.. |