How To Make Instagram Account Private Tutorial (2025) Full Guide

 How to Make Instagram Account Private Tutorial 

(2025 Full Guide)

Making your Instagram account private in 2025 is a simple process that ensures only approved followers can see your posts, stories, and personal information. Whether you’re prioritizing privacy or managing who interacts with your content, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the updated process for both mobile and desktop.

What Happens When You Make Your Account Private?

1. Only approved followers can see your posts, stories, and reels.

2. Your profile won’t appear in search results or the Explore page for non-followers.

3. New followers must send a request, which you can approve or deny.

4. Public comments, likes, and tags remain visible to others unless restricted.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Your Instagram Account Private (Mobile)

Step 1: Open the Instagram App

1. Launch the Instagram app on your mobile device.

2. Tap on your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.

Step 2: Access Settings

1. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of your profile.

2. Select Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Adjust Privacy Settings

1. Scroll down to the Who Can See Your Content section.

2. Tap on Account Privacy.

Step 4: Switch to Private Account

1. Toggle on the Private Account option at the top of the screen.

2. Confirm your choice by tapping Switch to Private when prompted.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Your Instagram Account Private (Desktop)

Step 1: Log In to Instagram

1. Open a web browser and go to Instagram.com.

2. Log in using your username and password.

Step 2: Access Privacy Settings

1. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner and select Settings from the dropdown menu.

2. Navigate to the Privacy and Security section.

Step 3: Enable Private Account

1. Under Account Privacy, check the box next to Private Account.

2. Confirm your choice when prompted.

Additional Tips for Managing Privacy

1. Review Current Followers:

   • Go to your followers list and remove any accounts you don’t want accessing your content by tapping on their profile > three dots > Remove Follower.

2. Restrict Specific Users:

   • If you don’t want someone interacting with your posts but don’t want to block them, use Instagram’s Restrict feature under their profile settings.

3. Control Story Visibility:

   • Use the Close Friends feature to share stories with a select group of people while keeping them hidden from others.

4. Manage Tags and Mentions:

   • Go to Settings and Privacy > Who Can Tag You or Who Can Mention You, and limit these features to followers or no one.

5. Turn Off Activity Status:

   • Disable this feature under Settings and Privacy > Messages and Story Replies > Show Activity Status, so others can’t see when you're online.

FAQs

• Can I make my account private if I have a Business or Creator account?
  No, you’ll need to switch back to a Personal account first:

  • Go to Settings and Privacy > For Professionals > Switch Account Type > Personal Account before enabling privacy settings.

• Will my existing followers still see my content after switching?
  Yes, current followers retain access unless you manually remove them.

• Can I make individual posts private?
  No, privacy settings apply to your entire account, but you can archive specific posts if needed.