Viewing a Private Instagram Profile: Is it Possible?

Last Updated: January 13, 2023 Tested

Do you want to see someone's private Instagram posts, stories, or Reels without following them first? The truth is, you can only view a private Instagram account by following that user. This wikiHow article will give you the truth about apps and websites that claim they can show you private Instagram profiles without following, and show you 3 ways you can find someone's private photos and videos elsewhere on the web.

Section 1 of 2:

Can you view a private Instagram profile without following?

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The only way to see someone's private Instagram profile or stories is to follow their account. Unfortunately, there are no workarounds—you'll need to tap the Follow button on their profile and wait for the person to approve your request.
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Beware of apps that claim they can get around Instagram privacy settings. While there are many websites that claim you can view private Instagram accounts by installing certain apps, none of these apps work. There's no conceivable way for any app or website to show you private Instagram posts.
- Since 2018, the Instagram API (Application Programming Interface) only allows third parties to display content from an Instagram user's own account.^{[1]
  X
  Research source} If you sign in to an "Instagram viewer" with your account, you'll only see the content that's available to your Instagram account.
- Some "private Instagram viewer" apps and websites are advertising scams that make money when you complete "verification" steps, even though these steps don't ever result in making private accounts visible. Not entirely malicious, but not at all trustworthy!
- Other "private Instagram viewer" sites and apps are flat out malware. To keep your information safe, never provide your credit card information or Instagram login credentials to an app that claims it will show you private Instagram posts or stories.

Section 2 of 2:

Other Tricks to See Private Instagram Posts & Stories

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Find them on TikTok. If you're looking for a private Instagram user's Reels or Stories, don't forget to check their TikTok account—a lot of TikTok users cross-post their videos to their Instagram Reels and Stories, so you're likely to find a lot of their private Instagram videos publicly available on TikTok. Of course, this won't be helpful if their TikTok is also private.
2
Check the person's Facebook account. If the Instagram user you want to check out is on Facebook, their profile might not be as locked down as their Instagram account. Facebook's privacy settings are notoriously complicated, so many users share a lot of photos, posts, and other information publicly without even realizing it.
3
Try searching Google for the person's username. If the person uses the same Instagram username on other platforms, you might be able to find other places on the internet where they've shared some of their photos. When viewing the Google search results, click or tap IMAGES at the top of the page to refine the results to images only.