One may get exhausted of becoming Instagram-famous before they were ready. Would it have been nice to be able to quietly browse and this aunt Karen found every photo? You’re so not alone. Instinctively, Instagram is “look at me!”, but it is not hard one bit to go incognito with a little knowledge. This article reveals the tricks to ensure that one patterns their Instagram from any good-looking gaze and slowly works their way into their privacy one concealing setting at a time. Get ready to be an Instagram ninja!
Good to know : did you know that you can now download Instagram Reels directly from the app? Here’s how.
1. Unlink Facebook From Instagram
Looking to remain incognito on Instagram? Then, give it another thought before linking the two communications. Linking the accounts makes one discoverable, so keep them separate if you want privacy.
Want to ditch those awkward friend suggestions from Facebook on your Instagram? The secret? Sever the connection between your accounts. Once unlinked, Instagram won’t keep pulling in your Facebook friends, saving you from those random “Suggested Friend” profiles. Time to declutter and reclaim your Insta-space! Unlink now and say goodbye to unwanted friend suggestions.
Open the Instagram app on your device. Tap on your profile icon on the bottom right.
Press the hamburger menu in the upper-right corner of your profile to access Settings.
SelectAccounts Centerat the very top.
Tap onAccountsin the lower section of the screen.
Press theRemovebutton next to your Facebook account name.
Take a chance. The moment that Instagram created a popup query on “connected experiences” is the moment that should be the moment for you to sever these connections. See that first option? That’s your golden ticket to severing the link – tap it toRemove accountand reclaim your digital independence.
Reconfirm your choice by pressing theContinuebutton on the next screen.
Finally, pressYesto remove the account.
Ready to sever the ties binding Facebook from Instagram on the web? From your feed, just look for the faint “More” button hiding in the left corner. A click on it shall reveal the highly-valued “Settings” option, your entrance into freedom from social media.
On the left side, scroll down and click on theAccounts Centeroption.
SelectAccountson the left and then click theRemovebutton next to your Facebook account.
Tip : check how to use Instagram’s latest Blend feature to create a custom Reel feed.
2. Make Your Account Private
Want to disappear from all social media radars? Toggle that privacy switch! Going private shuts the doors on prying eyes. While strangers accidentally stumbling upon your profile will hit a wall-open but nothing-to-see-here, unless you grant them special pass. Another level of higher stealth mode: ditch real name from handles and bio. Abandon face pic for some abstract art. Boom! Fewer unwanted requests from people barely recollected from that one party, thus ensuring that only your chosen few get to sneak a drone’s-eye view of your digital life.
You can activate the privacy mode on mobile by heading toSettings ->Account privacy.
Toggle on thePrivate accountoption at the top.
Tap toSwitch to privatein the pop-up that appears from the bottom.
On PC, go toSettings ->Account privacyand toggle on thePrivate accountoption on the right.
3. Remove Your Phone Number from Instagram
Heads up! Consider removing your phone number from Instagram? Well, if you have two-factor authentication running, dropping that number will simply pull the plug on the security shield. A little whisper of a warning before you continue.
Instagram demands such a thing-that an emergency must be assigned a verifiable email. So do just that. Pro tip: A mysterious air shall be retained if the email bears no true identity!
Take a shortcut?In other words, you can disable twofactor authentication. Go to Settings, then Accounts Center. Next, tap on Password & security and Twofactor authentication. There you go, toggle it off. Do remember the risk if you do!
To remove your phone number, go back toAccounts Centerin the mobile app and navigate toPersonal details.
Tap onContact infoat the top.
Select the phone number in question.
Then tap the button toDelete phone.
PressDeleteonce again in the pop-up.
Alternatively, tap theAdd new contactbutton to add a new email address.
Delete your number from there.
FYI : here’s how to view someone’s Instagram stories without them knowing about it.
Taking a walk down memory lane…when you first set up an Instagram account, the platform would ask for a permission to sync your contacts. At the time, you just hit “Allow” without giving it much thought. But, what if everyone just did the same? If you would rather not get “found” this way, time to take control and disable the option to sync contacts under the Instagram settings, then reclaim your privacy.
Go toSettings ->Accounts Center ->Your information and permissions.
Go toUpload contacts.
Make sure theConnect contactsoption is off.
Want to cut off the contact sync lifeline? Android users, navigate toSettings >Apps >Permissionsand reclaim control.
ChooseContactsfrom the list.
SelectDon’t allowon the next screen.
On the other hand, if you’re an iPhone user, go toSettings ->Apps ->Instagram.
Tap onContacts.
SelectNone.
5. Prevent Your Friends From Finding You in Similar Accounts
What is Instagram’s secret ingredient to discovery? The “suggested accounts” feature. Even if they do not know you, Instagram can highlight your profile because it vibes with the accounts they already follow-in this way a whole new set of potential followers can be born.
Instagram on Desktop: Your Secret Weapon. Can’t locate that setting on your phone? Head on over to Instagram on your computer. It might surprise you what is hidden away there.
Go to your Instagram profile on your PC and hit theEdit Profilebutton.
Scroll to the bottom and toggle off the option toShow account suggestions on profiles.
Then, click on the blueSubmitbutton.
6. Turn Your Online Status Off
If you want even more privacy, turning your online status off is a step in the right direction.
Go toSettings ->Messagesand story replies(under theHow others can interact with you).
SelectShow activity status.
Toggle off the option on the next screen.
Want to hide your profile? No problem! Head toSettingsand thenMessages and story replies. Can you see theShow activity statustoggle? Switch it off, and you’re completely invisible!
Tip : not seeing someone’s Activity Status on Instagram? Here are some additional reasons why that might not be.
7. Block Certain Accounts
Erase yourself from their digital map. The ultimate disappearing act? Blocking their username. Vanish without a trace.
On mobile, simply navigate to their profile and tap on the three-dot menu in the corner of the display.
A pop-up menu will show up from the bottom of the display. SelectBlockfrom there.
On your PC, find the three dots next to their Instagram user name and selectBlockfrom the pop-up window.
8. Temporarily Deactivate Your Account
Want to vanish from the digital grid? Destroying your account grants you absolute anonymity; it is just a scorched-earth maneuver. Being a little less extreme in this disappearing act is to least temporarily freeze the account: disable it until later to reclaim your peace.
This means your photos, likes, and comments will be hidden until you decide to log back into the app.
Want to go off Instagram, at least temporarily? Hiding the profile is a piece of cake! One-step deactivation of your account, depending on which side you are on, either mobile or computer. For a detailed walkthrough, check our post for all the inside tricks!
‘ready to refresh your Instagram? Just type in your user name and password andinstantlyevery corner of your Instagram world will be resurrected!’
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I control who messages me on Instagram?
How do I remove an Instagram follower?
Looking to prune your Instagram followers? You might be daunted by it, but it is quite simple! Go to your profile and spot the “Followers” button next to the profile picture. Tap on it, andvoila– a list of your fans will come up. See someone that you would rather not keep? Simply tap the “X” next to their name. Poof! Gone. And to top it all off, Instagram will keep the whole thing under wrap-they’ll never even know you decided to unfollow them.
If I block an account, can the person behind it still contact/follow me via another account?
Yup, consider it as if blocking is slamming the door in someone’s face. One can just set up a new profile and start trying to reach out again. Hence, having privacy settings to lock down an account is imperative. Those restrictions act like a bouncer at the door of your digital life, allowing you to screen everyone asking to follow you and keep out anyone they do not want. Spot a suspicious profile? Shame, denial!
Thanks for reading 8 Ways to Hide Instagram Account So Other Users Can’t Find You
