How to Make Instagram Account Private

If you’re wondering how to make Instagram account private, maybe you’re tired of strangers lurking on your profile—or you’re worried someone might copy your photos, captions, or unique style. You’re not alone. As privacy concerns grow, more people are choosing to keep their content protected. Whether you’re protecting personal moments or just want more control over who sees your posts, this step-by-step guide will answer the question: how do I make my Instagram private and show you exactly what to do.

Why Make Your Instagram Account Private?

There are all kinds of reasons to learn how to make Instagram account private—and it’s not just about blocking random strangers.

1. Maybe you don’t want your ex watching your stories or keeping up with your life. Going private means they can’t snoop unless you let them.
   
2. If you post creative stuff—like outfits, art, or business ideas—you probably don’t want someone copying your style or using your content for their own page.
   
3. Let’s be honest—some relatives love to judge or gossip. If you don’t really talk to them, there’s no reason they need to see what you’re up to online.
   
4. Sometimes, you just want to share things with your circle and not the whole internet. Making your account private puts you in control of who sees what.

View Private Instagram Accounts

Use Peekviewer to watch Instagram stories, accounts, likes, followers completely anonymous

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How Do I Make My Instagram Private? (Step-by-Step Guide)

If you’re really ready to disappear into your quiet little corner of Instagram, here’s how to make Instagram account private.It only takes a minute, and once you’re done, only people you approve can see what you post.

Step 1: Open the Instagram App

Grab your phone and open the Instagram app. Make sure you’re signed into the account you want to make private.

Step 2: Go to Your Profile

Tap the little profile picture icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Step 3: Tap the Three Lines

In the top right corner of your profile page, tap the three lines (that’s the menu button).

Step 4: Go to Settings > Privacy

In the menu, tap Settings, then choose Privacy.

Step 5: Make Your Account Private

Under Account Privacy, you’ll see an option that says Private Account. Turn it on. Instagram will ask you to confirm—just tap yes.

How to Unprivate Instagram Account

Changed your mind? That’s totally fine. If you’re sharing helpful tips, promoting something you’re working on, or just want more people to notice your posts, having a public account makes it way easier for others to find and follow you.

How to Turn Off Private Mode

1. Open Instagram
   
2. Go to your profile
   
3. Tap the three-line menu
   
4. Go to Settings > Privacy
   
5. Toggle Private Account off

What Changes After You Go Public

1. Anyone can see your posts, reels, and stories
   
2. You might get more likes, comments, and followers
   
3. But… you may also get some spam or random messages, so be ready to manage that

View Private Instagram Accounts with Peekviewer

Now that you’re learning how to set Instagram to private, you probably get why privacy is important. But maybe you’re also curious about someone else’s account—like an ex, a friend, or a competitor—and want to see what they’re sharing.Whatever the reason, you’re probably wondering if it’s even possible. That’s where Peekviewer comes in.

Peekviewer is a private story viewer that lets you look at Instagram profiles without logging in—and without anyone knowing. It’s especially useful if the account is private or if you’ve been blocked.

How to Use Peekviewer

1. Go to the Peekviewer website
   
2. Select whether the account is public or private
   
3. Type in the Instagram username or paste the profile link
   
4. Sign up with your email and choose a plan
   

What You Can Do with Peekviewer

1. Watch private Instagram stories the moment they go live—and the person who posted them won’t get any view notification.
   
2. Like what you see? You can save posts and stories in full quality and keep them stored for up to 3 months.
   
3. Keep an eye on post activity—track likes, comments, and see which older posts are still getting attention.
   
4. Need to follow more than one account? You can monitor multiple profiles by upgrading your subscription.
   
5. View private profiles, stories, and reels without anyone knowing—everything you view stays completely anonymous.
   
6. No need to worry about being seen—you can browse private stories as much as you like, and no one will ever know.

Conclusion

Learning how to make Instagram account private is a smart move if you want to keep things more personal. Whether you’re tired of strangers watching your stories or just want more control over who sees your posts, going private is a simple way to protect your space.

But it’s not just you—other people go private too. And chances are, they’ve got their own reasons, just like you do. Still, it’s totally normal to be curious, especially if it’s someone you used to follow or want to keep an eye on. That’s where Peekviewer comes in. This anonymous instagram profile viewer lets you check out what private or blocked accounts are posting—without them knowing.

FAQ

1. How to switch to private account on instagram from the app?
Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top corner, then head to Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy. From there, just switch on Private Account.

2. Will my current followers still see my posts if I go private?
Yes, anyone who was already following you before you made your account private will still be able to see your posts—unless you remove them yourself.

3. Can people still message me if my account is private?
Yes, people can still send you message requests. It’s up to you whether you want to open them, reply, or ignore them.