If you're frequently bullied on Instagram by overly ambitious relatives or annoying friends, there's good news for you. Now, you can prevent them from accessing your account. While you can't remove a follower from Instagram (in this case, deleting their account), you can block their account so they can't see your profile. In addition, you can also set your account status to be private to prevent unwanted followers from appearing in the future.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Blocking Followers
Step 1. Touch the Instagram app icon to open it
If you are using a computer, visit the Instagram website.
If you are not logged into your account, you will first need to log in using your login information
Step 2. Access your profile page
To access it, touch or click the human icon on the screen. On mobile apps, it's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
If you're on a computer, it's in the upper-right corner of the screen
Step 3. Tap or click on “Followers” option
It's on the right side of your profile photo.
Step 4. Review the displayed list of followers
While you can't force a follower to unfollow a profile, you can still block it, preventing the follower from following or viewing your account.
Step 5. Click or touch the follower you want to remove
After that, you will be taken to their profile. There, you can do blocking.
Step 6. Touch the menu with the three dots icon
It's in the top-right corner of the screen (or next to the username for the desktop version of Instagram).
On Android, the three dots that make up the menu icon are displayed vertically, not horizontally
Step 7. Click or tap the “Block User” option
On the Instagram site, this option is labeled “Block this user”. Once selected, Instagram will ask you to confirm your selection.
Step 8. Click or tap “Yes, I'm sure! After that, the follower in question will be blocked so that he can no longer see the posts that you upload.
- Blocked users will still be able to see comments you posted on other people's posts. It can also still search for your account. However, he will not be able to access your account and view the uploaded posts.
- You can view the list of blocked users at any time by going to the settings menu and selecting the “Blocked Users” tab.
Step 9. Repeat this process for each follower you want to block
If you want to prevent unwanted followers in the future, set your account status to private. This way, you have to accept follower requests first before that follower can see the posts you've uploaded.
Part 2 of 2: Making Account Status Private
Step 1. Open Instagram app via smartphone
Changing your account status from a standard account to a private account requires anyone who wants to follow you to submit a request first. You are authorized to accept such requests. This way, you have more control over who can access your Instagram account or profile.
- Changing your account status to private will also prevent other users from accessing your comments and likes, unless you leave comments or likes on public posts. In this case, your username will appear next to someone else's likes. However, your account will still be protected.
- You cannot change account status via computer.
Step 2. Go to your profile if it is not already open
To open it, tap the human icon in the lower right corner of the phone screen.
You can also change account status via tablet
Step 3. Open the account settings menu
To open it, tap the gear icon (for iOS) or the three-dot icon (for Android) that appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Scroll down until you find the “Accounts” group
The group is a group of tabs that includes options for the account. At the bottom of the group, you will find the “Private Account” option.
Step 5. Slide the toggle next to the “Private Account” label
The switch color will change from gray to blue. This change indicates that your account status is now a private account.
- If you wish to disable this setting, all you have to do is slide the switch back and select “OK” in the pop-up window that appears on the screen.
- Keep in mind that existing followers will not be affected by the changes. If you want to block some or all followers, you have to do it manually.
Tips
- Blocked users cannot see your photos in their “Photos I've Liked” tab.
- Likes and comments sent by blocked users will still appear on the photos you upload. However, you can delete it yourself manually if you want.
