How to Make Your Instagram Account Private on all Devices

ByUmar Ali – April 27, 2020How to Private Instagram Account

How to make your Instagram account private in a few simple steps? Everybody wants to private their social media account from peer eyes. If it is your Facebook account, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram privacy is important to keep your post away from the other peoples. Instagram has been a huge success story. Since its launch in 2010, the video and photo-sharing application has gathered more than 6 hundred million users who share an amazing 70 million image a day.

Similarly, other social media platforms, Instagram’s default setting lets your IG profile and posts to be viewed by any other follower. That is nice if you are hoping your videos or images will receive Beyonc-levels of exposure. But you are worried about your information and posts being made public, especially for kids or young users. And keep in mind, when something is online it could be visible forever – the internet never forgets.

Read: Can I Share Instagram Story to Facebook and Page Story

How to Make Your Instagram Account Private 2020 on Andriod, iPhone, Window Phones & Web browser

Table of Contents

So you want to make your IG account private in 2020? You are on the right path – particularly if you post or share content (photos, videos, or text) that you do not want to be visible or hidden from specific individuals or groups of users who might go looking for you on Instagram.

Making your IG profile private is quite simple. Let’s follow the given steps t getting it done, as explained using Instagram on different devices like Android app, iPhone app, Windows phone app, and Desktop web browser on your computer or laptop.

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How to Make Your Instagram Account Private on Android App

Here are the steps to follow for making your IG account private on the app of your Android device:

  1. Tap to Open your Instagram App
  2. Log in to your IG Account if not
  3. Select the Profile icon from the bottom right side look like a person’s head
  4. Then Tap the More option or Three line bars from the top
  5. Now tap on the Settings icon from the bottom your screen
  6. Go to the Privacy option
  7. Press Account privacy under Privacy
  8. Tap to Enable the Private Account setting toggle then tap OK option

Open Instagram App, Profile icon, More Option & Settings optionSelect Privacy, Account Privacy, & Turn On Private Account Settings Toggle

Read:Close Friends Feature on Instagram App Android iOS

How to Make Your Instagram Account Private on iPhone App

Let’s follow the given listed steps to for making your Instagram account private on your iPhone device App.

  1. Tap to Open your Instagram App
  2. Log in to your IG Account if not
  3. Select the Profile icon from the bottom right side look like a person’s head
  4. Tap the More or Three-lines bar menu from the top
  5. Then tap on Setting Gear icon at the bottom
  6. Go to Privacy & Security option
  7. Select the tap the Account Privacy option
  8. Turn on the Toggle next to the Account Privacy settings

Read:How to sell products on Instagram Shopping

How to Make Your Instagram Account Private on Window Phones

The users of window phone can follow the given steps to make your Instagram account private:

  1. Navigate the Instagram app on your window phone
  2. Tap the Profile icon at the bottom right side of your phone looks like a person
  3. Select the More option or Main menu from the top
  4. Then tap the Settings gear icon from the bottom
  5. Finally, turn on the Private Account Settings toggle

How to Make Your Instagram Account Private on Desktop Web

If you are using your Instagram account on a web browser on your Computer or Laptop and you don’t know how to make it private. Then follow the below steps for your guidance:

  1. Open your Instagram.com with any web browser
  2. Log in to your Instagram account with your credentials (if not)
  3. Click the Profile picture at the top right side at will take to your profile page
  4. Then click on the Gear icon or Edit profile option from the top
  5. Select the Privacy & Security option from the pop window or from the left side panel
  6. Now Mark the Checkbox to the left side of Private Account option in the Account Privacy section

Go to Instagram Website and Log in to your AccountClick the Edit Profile or Cog IconSelect Privacy and Security optionMark the Checkbox to Left side of Private Account In Account Privacy Section

Important Note: Remember one thing that the business account can’t be private. You will need to Switch from a Business account to a Personal account first.

When you make your IG post private, then users will have to send you a follow request if they want to view your posts, your list of your followers, or the people that you follow.

Read: How to Clear Search History on Instagram App and Web

How to Make Public Your Instagram Account on Mobile App & Web

If you change your mind or by mistake private your IG account and want to visible again to the public your private Instagram account. While using your smartphone app and web browser on desktop (PC or Laptop).

How to Make Public Your Instagram Account on Mobile App

Let’s show how to make your private Instagram account to visible again to the public and followers

  1. Open your Instagram app on your Mobile phone
  2. Log in to your Instagram Account
  3. Tap on the Profile icon at the bottom to go to your profile page
  4. Select the More or Main Menu option from the top
  5. Press the Settings with a Gear icon at the bottom
  6. Go to Go to Privacy & Security option (iPhone) or Privacy option (Android)
  7. Then tap the Account & Privacy option
  8. Turn off the Toggle next to the Private Account

Turn off the Private Account Toggle and Click OK to Public

Read: How to Delete seen Someone’s Instagram Story and Messages

How to Make Public Your Instagram Account on Desktop Web

If you are using your Instagram account on a web browser on your Computer or Laptop. You want to make visible to public your IG private Account. Then follow the below steps for your guidance:

  1. Open your Instagram.com with any web browser
  2. Log in to your Instagram account with your credentials (if not)
  3. Click the Profile picture at the top right side at will take to your profile page
  4. Then click on the Gear icon or Edit profile option from the top
  5. Select the Privacy & Security option from the pop window or from the left side panel
  6. Now Unmarked the Checkbox to the left side of Private Account option in the Account Privacy section
  7. Click Okay chang privacy to Public account

Unmarked Checkbox to Left side Private Account to Make PubliclyPress Okay option Change Privacy Settings to Public

After that your IG private Accout will visible again to your followers and publicly. They can view your followers and people followed by you without your permission.

Read: How to View Restore & Download Your Old Instagram Stories

Frequently Ask Question-FAQ

Here are the following Frequently Ask Questions by different people and you might interested to read it.

How to Watch Private Instagram Profiles?

You can also watch private Instagram profiles by following some of the tricks to view private Instagram profiles. This is the best legitimate and straightforward method to watch IG private accounts. You can not directly become the follower of any Private IG profile. for More details visit How to Watch Private Instagram Profiles

How do I set my Instagram account to private so that only approved followers can see what I share?

Yes, you can set your Instagram account to private so that only approved followers can view what you share on your IG profile. While you are using the Instagram app on your iOS or Android app or Desktop website. Simply Go to your IG profile then select the Settings option. Tap Privacy>Account Privacy, then select to toggle next to the Private Account to make your IG account private.

Read: How to follow or unfollow someone on Instagram

How often can I switch back and forth between public and private?

There does not seem to be a limit number of to enable your Privacy Settings Turn on or off, so if you feel willing to do it various times daily, it should not be a problem. This option is flexible could change due to Instagram places restrictions on other forms of activity.

Read: How to Restore Lost or Deleted Instagram Photos and Videos

How to Controlling Your Visibility | Instagram App | www.instagram.com

Controlling the visibility of your Instagram account while using the Instagram app or instagram.com. While using Android or iOS IG App or visiting an Instagram website or Instagram.com on your computer. Simply Go to your IG profile then select the Settings option. Tap Privacy>Account Privacy, then select to toggle next to the Private Account to make your IG account private.

What else can I do to stay private on Instagram?

You can limit or control the number of personal info in your Instagram profile – You do not have to use your real name if you do not wish to. If you want to make more changes to your profile then follow these steps:

  1. Click the Profile icon again
  2. Tap the Edit Your Profile option
  3. Then tap four options Name, Username, Website, & Bio

You can also block someone who followed you before you made your IG account private, should you want.

  1. Tap on the person username to navigate their profile
  2. Select Three horizontal dots icon
  3. Then tap Block User option
  4. Confirm your action to Block user

Read: How to block someone on Instagram [App & Browser]

What if I want to share an Instagram post on other social network sites when my profile is set to private?

If you wish to share a post to Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Tumblr, or another social media platform, it will be visible and accessible publicly to see as a standalone post. Anyone viewing it will be able to click on the permalink of Instagram to see it in full, but if they click on your username to see your full profile, they will unable to view your other content unless they follow you already.

Read: How to Unblock Someone Instagram [App & Browser]

Can business Instagram be private?

You cannot directly make your business Instagram private you will need the first switch back to your personal account. By default, everyone can view your profile and posts on Instagram. You can make your account private so that only approved followers can view what you share.

What else do I need to know about keeping my Instagram posts private?

It is worth keeping in mind that even if you’ve made your IG posts private on the IG application, if you share then elsewhere on social media platforms they may be available to entire users, depending on your IG privacy settings for that social media network. So should you tweet your IG post, it will be visible for your Twitter followers to view and possibly to share with others.

Read: How to Delete Instagram / Disable Account (Screenshots)

Privacy Settings & Information | Instagram Profile

Here you can control the privacy setting & information of your Instagram profile. You will need to open your Instagram account using a mobile app or web browser on your computer. Go to your IG profile then select the Settings option. Tap Privacy>Account Privacy, then select to toggle next to the Private Account to make your IG account private.

What if I tag a user or add a hashtag to one of my Instagram posts when my profile is set to profile? Can people still see it?

Those users will be able to see only who follows you and tagging other users who do not follow you or putting a hashtag in the description doesn’t override the privacy of the IG post. It will not be available to anyone else who doesn’t follow you already.

Read: Can you see who viewed your Instagram Highlight

If someone decides to follow me while my profile is private, will they be able to see my posts?

No, once you approve the person. If users click or tap the follow option on a user whose profile is private, it only sends a follow request notification message. So if you received a follow request message from someone, they will unable to view any of your content until you manual allow them by approving their request to follow you.

Read:How to use Multiple Accounts on Instagram

Someone is following me, but I don’t want him or her as a follower anymore. How do I get rid of this person?

If you want to stop someone from following you, block the account. By following the above-given steps toblock someone. You can also alternatively report the account as well.

Will I lose followers if I make my profile private?

In short no, you’ll not lose any of the followers you recently have, and all will have full access to everything you share or post.

How to make Instagram business account private

If you want to make your Business account private mode, then first switch back to your personal account. By default, everyone can view your profile and posts on Instagram. You can make your account private so that only approved followers can view what you share.

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FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsAppUmar Alihttps://www.dowpie.comUmar Ali is a passionate content writer. He feeds many blogs with his unique content. He loves creating contents tutorial content. And contribute many guest articles on different websites.