How to Hide Instagram Account and Prevent Other Users from Finding You

By default the images you share on your Instagram profile can be viewed by virtually anyone with the app. If you’d rather stay under the radar instead, there are a few of things you can do to hide your Instagram account and prevent your contacts and other people from finding you on the social network.

For example, by removing specific information, even if someone has your phone number, they won’t be able to find you on Instagram. Follow along with this guide, as we detail additional options that will help you stay hidden from prying eyes.

Also read:How to Add Links to Your Instagram Stories

Remove Your Facebook Account from Instagram

To make sharing easier, Instagram allows you to link your Facebook account to the app. If you want to hide your Instagram account, we advise against it. Once you connect the two accounts, you will pop up in the “Discover People” tab of the people who have added you on Facebook. If you already have the two linked, go ahead and remove your Facebook connection from Instagram.

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android device.

2. Tap on your circular profile icon on the bottom right.

Also read:How to Link or Unlink Your Instagram Account from Facebook

3. Go to the hamburger menu located in the upper-right corner of your profile.

4. Select Settings.

5. At the bottom, you’ll notice a section that says “Accounts Center.” Click on it.

6. Tap on “Accounts & Profiles.”

7. Select your Facebook profile.

8. Tap on the “Remove from Accounts Center” option to get rid of the account.

9. Instagram will ask you to confirm whether you want to “disable connected experiences for your account.” Tap on the blue Continue button.

Once you unlink your Facebook account, you will no longer appear in the “Discover People” tab when your Facebook friends decide to sync their contacts.

Also read:How to See All of Your Comments on Instagram

Make Your Account Private

Setting your account to private is one of the easiest ways to make your profile less visible. Even if someone does eventually find you, they won’t be able to see your posts unless you give them express permission to do so.

You can activate the privacy mode by heading to “Settings -> Privacy” and toggling on the “Private Account” option at the top.

Also read:How to Block Someone on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Other Apps

Remove Your Phone Number from Instagram

Before you go ahead with removing your phone number from Instagram, keep in mind that you won’t be able to have the two-factor authentication feature enabled. You also need to have a verified email address for this to work, since Instagram does require at least one verified way to contact you.

You can disable two-factor-authentication by going to “Settings -> Security -> Two-Factor Authentication” and turning it off from there.

To remove your phone number, tap on the profile icon and select “Edit Profile.” Swipe down to “Personal Information Settings,” and your phone number will be the second one down.

Once your phone number is removed, people who have saved your digits to their mobile won’t be able to find you once they activate “Connect Contacts.”

Also read:How to Use Instagram on a Computer

Turn Contact Syncing Off

Speaking of which, you’ve probably used the option yourself back when you were setting up your Instagram account for the first time.

Still, if you wish to stay hidden, you should relinquish this functionality. Go to “Settings -> Account -> Contacts Syncing” and disable “Connect Contacts” from there.

Also read:Use Instagram Collab to Create a Collaborative Post or Reel

Prevent Your Friends from Finding You in Similar Accounts

The person you’re trying to hide from can easily find you if they are following an account similar to yours. To disable this feature, go to Instagram on your desktop browser. Strangely enough, you won’t be able to turn off this option from your phone or tablet.

Once you’ve accessed Instagram on the Web, click on your profile icon in the top right of the screen and then on the “Edit Profile” button. Toward the bottom, you’ll see a box you can uncheck that will prevent your account from appearing in any similar account results. Don’t forget to click on the blue Submit button.

From here, it’s also possible to add or remove your phone number, in case you didn’t follow the steps described above.

Also read:How to Delete One Photo from a Carousel Post or Stories on Instagram

Turn Your Online Status Off

If you want even more privacy, turning your online status off is a step in the right direction. To hide your online status from others, go to Settings once more and swipe down to Privacy.

Tap on “Activity Status” and toggle off the “Show Activity Status” button. If the button is blue, that means it’s on, and if it’s grey, it’s off.

Also read:Why Is Activity Status Not Showing on Instagram?

Block Certain Accounts

Want to make absolutely sure someone can’t find you no matter what? Block their account if you know their username.

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. Select Block from there.

The only way to be 100% sure no one will ever find you is if you erase your account. But since you may not want to do that, hiding your Instagram account is your best bet. If you want to learn more useful Instagram tricks, then you may be interested in getting up to speed regarding how to determine when it’s the best time of day to post on Instagram, add music to your Story, and automatically caption Instagram stories.

Also read:13 of the Best People Finder and Phone Number Lookup Websites