While Instagram encourages public sharing, it also gives its users the option of having a private profile.
So, what can you do if the Instagram profile you want to check out is private?
Fortunately, gaining access to someone’s Instagram profile isn’t impossible, and can be done by implementing a number of easy and effective solutions that we are going to talk about below in this guide on how to view private Instagram profiles.
It might take a minute or two but following the simple steps in this guide is going to make a huge difference and get you well on your way to viewing private Instagram accounts.
Before we dive in, we need to explain that there are both advantages and disadvantages to using private and public Instagram accounts.
Private vs. Public Instagram Accounts
Public or private? Well, this all depends on what you use Instagram for, and what your goals are for the future.
If you are trying to hide your social life from your family, employer, or an ex, then it’s going to be best to keep all of your social accounts private.
However, if privacy isn’t an issue, and you don’t mind sharing your content with anyone who wants to look at it, then there is no real need to make your Instagram profile private.
We think that you should make your profile public if you are a small business or brand that is looking for more engagement with your target audience.
We also think you should make it public if you are a social influencer, public figure, or aspiring influencer that is hoping for more exposure on their content.
Lastly, it’s also worth having a public profile if you don’t mind sharing your personal life.
However, you might want to make your profile private if you are a relatively low-profile person who doesn’t want random people seeing your content.
You might also want to make it private if you aren’t in the spotlight, and you don’t really care about getting more followers.
This means that public Instagram accounts are best for both noncommercial and commercial use including brand awareness, getting more followers, and more social exposure in general.
For the private Instagram account, it is best for both noncommercial and personal use like keeping your content to yourself, and just sharing it with a selected group of friends and family.
How to Make Your Instagram Profile Private
- Go to the Instagram app
- Go the profile icon that you will see at the bottom of your screen to the right
- Select the horizontal line icon that you will see at the top of your Instagram profile to the right
- Select the gear, which is the settings icon, at the bottom of your screen to the right
- Go all the way down until you find ‘private account’. Make sure that this is on
Making your own Instagram profile private is a lot easier than trying to view other people’s accounts that are private already.
5 Best Apps to View Private Instagram Profiles
1. xMobi
If you want to be able to get your hands on one of the best apps for viewing private Instagram profiles, then look no further than xMobi.
xMobi is all about helping their clients in a meaningful way, which allows for convenience on your end.
This is because they are only going to require the username of the profile that you want to look at – that’s it.
There is nothing else that you have to give them.
They are also great when it comes to security, because they are going to make sure that if you share any sensitive information with them, it will be completely encrypted.
2. uMobix
uMobix might not be one of those apps that you have heard of before, but after this, you are going to wish that you already knew them.
They are great if you are trying to look at a private Instagram profile, and they are also great if you want to do a bit of monitoring on the side as well.
Instagram is all well and good, but if you want to go beyond Instagram and check in on other apps like Skype and Snapchat, you can do so with this tool.
Their chat box makes it really simple and easy for you to get assistance if you should require it at any point, and they are always online, so you don’t have to worry about catching them within business hours.
3. Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch is not only a convenient way to look at someone’s private Instagram profile, but they are free for you to use.
They say that they can help you with a free sign up in the beginning, so before you’ve even chosen a package to use with them, you are benefitting from their features.
Once you have signed up and prepared the appropriate devices, they are going to set about making everything as easy for you as possible, and you can go beyond Instagram with this app as well and see who your target person is talking to, as well as where they are currently located.
4. eyeZy
eyeZy wants to make it easy – see what we did there – for you to be able to monitor a private Instagram account with ease.
They say that they are all about making it easy for worried parents to see what their children are getting up to on the social media sharing app, and they say that thanks to their simple technology, you don’t have to worry about being out of your depth if you’ve never used anything like this before.
You can even try them out before you buy them as well, which is going to make a big different to your experience with them.
5. mSpy
mSpy is at straightforward and honest as it gets when it comes to being able to see all of those private Instagram profiles.
They say that you are going to be able to gain remote access to any information that you need, whether it is from Instagram, or for the phone itself.
This way, you can make sure that your teenagers are taking care of themselves out there, and they aren’t doing anything that they shouldn’t be doing.
These guys are great when it comes to offering clients regular discounts, and they also want to make sure that you have access to some of the best encryption possible.
How to View Private Instagram Profiles
Imagine that you are trying to get to know someone that you hardly know, but then you realize that the person has an Instagram account.
You are hoping to connect with this person through this social platform, but then you realize that they have set their account to private. So, what can you do?
1. Send Them a Follow Request
One of the most legitimate and effective ways how to view private Instagram profiles is to simply ask them for access to it. It doesn’t really matter if they know you or not, this is still a legit option.
If you plan on going this route, we recommend that you ask them nicely. Send a follow request and then wait for them to approve it.
If you are a friend of a friend, then it won’t be long until they approve this request.
Once you have been approved, you will be able to see their content.
We also recommend that you be patient. Once you have sent a follow request, try to be patient and give the person you are hoping to connect with some time.
You might get lucky and get approved straightaway, but this completely depends on whether the user is wanting to connect with you or not.
Some people won’t approve requests from people that they don’t know. If this is the case, then we suggest that you message them directly instead.
Tell them how you feel, and let them know who you are, and why you are interested in seeing their Instagram feed. Try to be as authentic as you can.
If you have been waiting for a while, there’s no harm in reminding them that you’ve sent your request, and there’s also no harm in jogging their memory if you have met them in real life before, but you don’t think that they will remember you.
If you are going to try and interact with them through direct message, perhaps encourage them to check out your profile.
This is going to bridge the gap and make them feel more comfortable about accepting your request.
You can also find other platforms out there where you can try and connect with them as well. See if they have a Facebook page, and try to message them through here.
2. Search Their Username
You might not do too well with this method, but we still think it’s worth a shot. Let’s check it out.
- Log into your Instagram account and find the person that you’re looking for.
- Go to Google Search and paste their username into the search bar.
- There is a good chance that your target has left a bit of a digital trail before they decided to switch their Instagram profile to private. If they have information or photos elsewhere, then you might be able to gain access to them this way.
This might not be the most effective solution for your mission, but it is definitely a more legitimate way of doing it compared to the next solution we’re going to give you.
3. Create a Fake Account
If sending a request for a follow hasn’t worked, then don’t give up. You can always create a fake Instagram account.
No, this practice isn’t supported by Instagram, but it does technically work. With this method, you have a high chance of being able to get around privacy and visibility settings.
Just remember that this method is unethical, which is why you might want to reconsider this approach. This is why we have to say that you should try this method out at your own risk.
If you are going to create a fake Instagram account, then use decent photos.
Make your profile look as interesting as possible, and we recommend using a female persona. With this in mind, make sure you upload content that is relevant to women’s interests.
Check out what’s current with female influencers and use this to inspire you.
Now, set your Instagram profile to private. This is going to create curiosity in the person that you’re wanting to connect with.
Send a follow request to them, and if you still don’t get any feedback, you can always send them a direct message, and explain why you want to connect with them.
4. Use Private Instagram Viewer Tools
There are a lot of websites out there that claim they can help you check out people’s private Instagram profiles in just a few simple steps.
However, we have to recommend that you are careful when entering websites like this that might take you down a rabbit hole of dodgy websites, where they will say that you don’t have to pay for their services.
If you think that something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. There are a lot of websites out there that are harboring dangerous malware.
Watch out for websites like Instaspay, WachInsta, View Private Profiles and Private Instaviewer.
These brands usually make people join a survey that is going to eventually require your credit card.
First, they will ask to use your Instagram username, then they will ask you to choose whether you wish to download a photo or just view it.
After this, they will request your personal information, and then they will take you to the private account that you want to check out.
We don’t suggest that use any of these websites. They aren’t safe, and there is a risk that they will steal your personal information.
This is why we have to say that we don’t endorse any of these apps, and you can consider this approach at your own risk.
Final Thoughts
All of the methods that we have talked about above about how to view private Instagram accounts could actually work, but at the end of the day we highly recommend that you try the first method, which is simply following and asking the person directly.
Not only is it ethical, but it won’t get you in trouble.
Of course, if this doesn’t work, you can try making a fake account, or using a private account viewer app.
Please be really careful when using methods like this, as there is no guarantee that your personal information will stay safe.
Lastly, you can just try to build a stronger social presence on your Instagram. People tend to follow Instagram users that have a huge following. Good luck!
