- The only surefire and legitimate way to view a private Instagram account is to directly request to follow it.
- There are a few alternative ways you can try to gain access to posts on a private Instagram account, but they're not perfect. Some of those methods raise ethical issues and are best avoided.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
If you want to get access to a private Instagram account, the best thing to do is simply hit that "Follow" button on the Instagram app or website and wait for the person to approve you.
That is the one and only way to gain full and legitimate access to the person's content and to establish the ability to exchange messages back and forth.
You should follow a private Instagram account to view it
There are some alternative methods you can use to view a private Instagram account without following the account, including using third-party apps that violate Instagram's terms of use - which we don't recommend doing.
However, if you want to view a private Instagram account at any time, your best bet is to just follow the account.
That said, there are other ways you could technically and ethically view a private Instagram account (or posts associated with the account) without following the account directly.
Use Google to view Instagram posts associated with a private account
You can copy and paste the private account's Instagram name (you can view the name, post count, and follower and following figures even of a private account) into Google and then do an image search.
Chances are that some of their pictures will come up, having been tagged elsewhere on a public Instagram or even Facebook accounts.
View a private Instagram account through a friend or another account
If you know someone who follows the private Instagram you want to view, you could always access that account through their account - with your friend or acquaintance's permission, of course.
If there's a specific Instagram post you want to see, you could also ask them to take a screenshot of the private post and send it to you.
Otherwise, you could request to follow a private Instagram account from another account you've created.
Next Story
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
One of the world's only 5-star airlines seems to be considering asking business-class passengers to bring their own cutlery
Vodafone Idea FPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP and more
India fourth largest military spender globally in 2023: SIPRI report
New study forecasts high chance of record-breaking heat and humidity in India in the coming months
Gold plunges ₹1,450 to ₹72,200, silver prices dive by ₹2,300
Strong domestic demand supporting India's growth: Morgan Stanley
Global NCAP accords low safety rating to Bolero Neo, Amaze
