Block and Unblock Users on Instagram
Blocking a user on Instagram will keep them from being able to see or comment on the photos and videos you upload. If you’ve made up with the person, you can unblock them just as easily. You can block and unblock users using either the Instagram app or the website. You'll have to open someone's profile page to unblock them, as there is no list of users you've blocked. Turning on the "Private Account" option will ensure that only users you authorize can see your posts.
Contents
Steps
Blocking and Unblocking (App)
- Open the Instagram app. You can block users with the Instagram app for your mobile device. Make sure you're signed in with the account you want to block users on.
- Open the profile page for the user you want to block. There are a couple ways you can quickly open a user's profile:
- Navigate to your feed, recommended list, comments section, or direct message conversation and tap on the user's name.
- Tap the magnifying glass at the bottom of the screen to open the Search tab, then type in the user that you want to search for.
- Tap the Menu button in the upper-right corner. The button varies depending on your device:
- iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch - Tap the "..." button in the upper-right corner.
- Android - Tap the "⋮" button in the upper-right corner.
- Select "Block User" (iOS) or "Block" (Android). Tap "Yes, I'm sure" to confirm that you want to block the account. The account will be blocked, and that person will no longer be able to see your photos and videos. Your account will no longer appear if they search for you.
- You'll still be able to see that person's comments on pictures other people post, and you'll still be able to view their profile.
- Tap the "Unblock" button to unblock the user. When you tap the "Unblock" button, you'll unblock the user. You'll still need to tap "Follow" if you want to follow them again.
- Block someone that's blocked you. If someone has already blocked you and you need to block them back, you'll have to track down a comment or a like by them.
- Check your mutual friends' pages and see if the person you want to block has commented on or liked any of the posts.
- If you can find a comment or like, you can tap the user's name, and then block them using the process above.
Blocking and Unblocking (Website)
- Log into the Instagram website. Visit instagram.com and log in with your Instagram or Facebook account. You'll need to be logged in with your account in order to block someone.
- Find the user you want to block. There are a few ways you can find the person you're looking for.
- Click the search bar at the top of the page and type in the username you want to block.
- Click on a user's name in your feed or in the comments of someone's post.
- Click the "..." button next to the "Follow/Following" button. The button will say "Follow" if you're not following the person, and "Following" if you are. Click the "..." button next to it.
- Select "Block this user." You will immediately block the user and unfollow them. The blocked user will no longer be able to see your photos or videos, and your profile will not appear in their searches. Users are not notified when you block them.
- Click the "Follow" button to unblock and follow. After blocking someone, you can unblock and follow them again by clicking the "Follow" button at the top of their profile. There is no list of accounts you've blocked, so you'll need to manually search for accounts you wish to unblock.
- If you just want to unblock someone but don't want to follow them, click the "..." button on their profile again and select "Unblock this user."
Deleting Comments
- Open the Instagram app. You can only delete comments from within the Instagram app.
- Open the comments section of the photo or video. You can delete comments that users leave on your photos or videos, or comments that you have left on other photos or videos. You cannot delete comments that others have left on other users' photos. Open the list of comments to delete specific comments.
- On mobile devices, tap the photo to open it and then tap the comments underneath the picture.
- On the Instagram website, click the photo to open the comments.
- Select the comment you want to delete. Tap the comment (Android) or swipe it to the left (iPhone). This will allow you to delete that specific comment.
- Delete the comment. The process is a little different for each version.
- On Android, tap the Trash button at the top of the screen.
- On iPhone, tap the Trashcan and then tap "Delete".
- On the Instagram website, click the "X" next to the comment you want to delete and then confirm.
Making Your Account Private
- Open the Instagram app. You can only change your privacy options from within the Instagram app. When you make your account private, you'll need to approve each person that follows you before they can see your posts. This ensures that people you block cannot create new accounts or log out to see your content.
- Open your profile. You can get to this by tapping the silhouette at the bottom of the screen.
- Open the Settings menu. Tap the gear icon (iOS) or the ⋮ button (Android) in the upper right corner of your profile. This will allow you to change your privacy settings.
- Toggle "Private Account" on. You will be asked to confirm if you want to. When your account is set to private, only your approved Followers can view the photo. This will prevent blocked users from creating a new account to view your posts.
Tips
- If you don't want them mentioning you, change your user name.
- It’s always wise to switch on the private account option for your account so that anyone who wants to see your photos has to send you a friend request first.
Warnings
- The blocked user can still be able to see your photos by logging out so make sure you turn on the private photo sharing option for your account.
Related Articles
- Follow Someone on Instagram
- Create a Username
- Access Instagram on a PC
- Open-an-Instagram-Account-Through-PC
