Instagram is one of the most popular and widely used social media platforms worldwide with around 2 billion users. The number of people using this app is insanely high and what’s crazier is that how easily you can connect and be friends with these people.
As an Instagram account is by default set to private when you create an account, any one of them can follow you and befriend you on the app and see everything you share in it. But, what if you don’t like it and want some privacy? Well, worry no more because this platform also allows you to make your Instagram private.
If you are unaware of how to make your Instagram private, you have come to the right place because, in this article, we will bring a solution to your problems.
How to Make Your Instagram Private using Mobile?
Private mode on Instagram basically means that you can share anything and everything you wish for, those contents will only be shown to the users you approve of. When you set your Instagram account to private, you can easily select people whom you want to add to the app and whom you wish to keep at a distance. You can do so using the Instagram app on your android as well as iOS devices. You can make your Instagram private using phones by following the given steps:
1. Open the Instagram app and log into your account.
2. Tap on your ‘Profile icon’.
3. Click on the ‘Hamburger icon’ you see.
4. Select the ‘Settings’ option.
5. Now, click on ‘Privacy’.
6. Toggle on the button for ‘Private account’.
7. Click on the ‘Switch to Private’ option to confirm.
8. Your account gets set to private.
In this way, you can make your Instagram private using your mobile phone.
How to Make Your Instagram Private using Desktop/PC?
Setting your Instagram account to private, you will be able to keep your personal life to a personal level or share it only with close people. You will be able to securely post the pictures you wish, and share posts and stories you like without the stalking eyes of strangers. You can also make your Instagram private using your desktop devices. To do so, follow the given steps:
1. Open Instagram and log into your account.
2. From the left sidebar, select ‘Profile’.
3. Click on the ‘Gear icon’ you see.
4. Now, click on ‘Privacy’.
5. Tap on the button for ‘Private account’.
6. Your account gets set to private.
In this way, you can make your Instagram private using your desktop/PC.
How to Make Your Instagram Account Public?
Now that you have learned how to make your Instagram private, it is also important to learn how to set it back to public mode. Especially if you are looking to grow more online and start a business or influencing online, a public account is a smart choice. To make your Instagram account public, follow the given steps:
1. Open Instagram and log into your account.
2. Tap on your ‘Profile icon’.
3. Click on the ‘Hamburger icon’ you see.
4. Select the ‘Settings’ option.
5. Now, click on ‘Privacy’.
6. Toggle off the button for ‘Private account’.
7. Your account gets set to Public.
In this way, you can change your Instagram account back to public.
How do I remove a follower on Instagram?
To do so, just open their profile, tap on the ‘Following’ button, and select the ‘Unfollow’ button to confirm. They will be unfollowed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who will be able to see my posts after I set my account to private?
Anyone who is already our follower on the app will be able to see the posts you have shared on the app even if you set your account to private. If anyone else wants to see the, they will have to first send you a follow request. And only after you approve that request, they will be able to view your profile as posts.
What happens to the hashtags used when you set an account to private?
The hashtags that you use on the posts will appear on them. However, those posts will not appear on that particular topic’s ‘Hashtags’ page. This is done so that you can maintain your privacy. If you want those hashtags to be seen by everyone, you can easily set your account to private.
What does setting my account to the public will do to my follow requests?
You have to make sure to go through the follow requests before you decide to set your account to public. This is because once you set your account to public, anyone will be allowed to follow your account, meaning that all the pending follow requests will be accepted automatically.
You might also be interested in: How to Block Someone on Instagram?
Conclusion
Hence, by using the steps mentioned above in the article, you can now easily make your Instagram private using both the app version as well as web. You can also set your account to the public whenever you wish to and remove followers you do not like.
Hope this article was helpful and cleared your doubts. Feel free to leave comments in case of any queries.