How to Find Instagram Account by Phone Number (4 Methods)
Katherine Young
Finding the right way to identify someone’s Instagram account using only a phone number can be a game-changer in today’s interconnected world. This method helps you reconnect with old friends, strengthen business networking, or verify contact information quickly. However, using unverified tools or misleading methods can expose your privacy, waste hours with fruitless searches, or even put your data at risk. Many users unknowingly fall victim to scams or unreliable tools, losing valuable time and potentially compromising sensitive details. Choosing comprehensive and trusted tools, paired with verified methods, ensures a safe, accurate, and efficient search experience—making all the difference between frustration and results.
Spokeo helps find Instagram by phone number along with other social profiles. Spokeo’s search system trawls through public records to deliver Instagram profiles and any associated social media profiles.
After spending more than 100 hours testing 15 methods and 20 trusted tools, I have handpicked the most effective solutions. This guide offers a transparent breakdown, backed by in-depth, unbiased testing, so you can make safe and informed choices.
Method 1: How to Find Someone’s Instagram Using Third-Party Tools
Navigating the quest to find someone on Instagram can be simplified through various third-party tools. These platforms are designed to connect the dots between disparate pieces of contact information. Hence, we have hand-picked the following tools that can help in uncovering Instagram profiles using phone number:
1) Spokeo
I particularly liked how Spokeo serves as more than a conventional lookup tool. It’s perfect for those who need to find associated social media accounts using just a phone number. Spokeo’s search system trawls through public records to deliver Instagram profiles and any associated social media profiles. Once, when I needed to verify if a business contact’s details matched their professional social presence, Spokeo efficiently provided linked social profiles, including Instagram, and even public records.
What makes Spokeo unique is its wide-reaching net, which captures information that extends beyond common social media platforms. This can include criminal cases, public records, and even address details.
Web Coverage: Name, Email, Phone, Address
Search Filters: First, middle and last name, etc.
Reverse Phone Lookup: Yes
Free Trial: 7-Days Trial for $0.95
My Experience of Using Spokeo
My experiences using Spokeo were mainly positive, with some minor areas of concern. I appreciated the free searches, which provided basic information like names, ages, and addresses, making it easy to start my inquiries. The social media database was impressive. I could find people’s social media profiles, including their Instagram addresses, by searching through phone numbers.
However, I encountered outdated or conflicting details about individuals at times. For instance, I found a person’s age and marital status reflected different results across records. To address this, I cross-verified the data with other tools like Social Catfish and xMobi to get a better overview.
Here are the steps to use Spokeo to Find Instagram Account by Phone Number:
Step 1) Visit the Spokeo www.spokeo.com. Enter the phone number in the search space.
Step 2) Next, you can click on its Search icon to allow the tool to look for the details associated with the number.
Step 3) Then narrow down the results to find the person, and then tap on Unlock Profile to get the report.
7-Days Trial for $0.95
2) xMobi
During my assessment, I found xMobi to be a highly effective tool for finding Instagram accounts using a phone number. It offers a comprehensive set of features that make it perfect for uncovering social media profiles and related information discreetly.
xMobi helped me gain insights by accessing data linked to phone numbers. It ensured privacy and efficiency, making it ideal for users who wanted quick results without exposing their identity. Being a Spy app, I could use this tool to secretly monitor my kid’s Instagram account and see what’s cooking inside. It lets me access her chats, shares, stories, and contacts. I could even take screenshots and record the screen.
Web Coverage: Name, Email, Phone, Address
Search Filters: Username, Email, Phone
Reverse Phone Lookup: Yes
Refund Policy: 14-Days Money-Back Guarantee
My Experience of Using xMobi
My experience using xMobi was reasonably satisfactory. I appreciated the call log insights, which provided detailed information about call durations and timestamps. It helped me understand my kid’s communication patterns. The social media monitoring feature was also valuable, as it allowed me to track interactions on platforms like Instagram and Facebook discreetly.
However, I faced challenges with slow data retrieval at times, particularly when trying to access real-time updates. For instance, there was a delay in seeing the latest call logs. To mitigate this, I regularly refreshed the app and waited for a few minutes for the data to sync properly.
Here’s my detailed process on how to find an Instagram account by phone number with xMobi:
Step 1) Go to xMobi’s Instagram Hack Tool and enter the phone number in the provided field.
Step 2) Click on “Hack” and allow xMobi to process the data.
Step 3) Once the search is complete, the results will be displayed, providing you with associated Instagram profiles and more.
14-Days Money-Back Guarantee
3) Social Catfish
During my review, I was impressed by Social Catfish’s ability to investigate digital identities with precision and depth. It offers a powerful Reverse Phone Lookup tool that taps into a broad range of public and online data sources, helping you uncover names, social profiles (including Instagram), email addresses, images, and more from just a phone number.
What makes Social Catfish stand out is how specialized and focused it is in identity verification and social media tracing. While the tool isn’t limited to Instagram, it does a solid job at connecting phone numbers to various social accounts, including platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others, giving you a clearer picture of someone’s digital presence.
Web Coverage: Name, Image, Email, Phone, Address
Search Filters: First, middle and last name, etc.
Reverse Phone Lookup: Yes
Free Trial: 3-Days Trial for $5.73
My Experience of Using Social Catfish
My experience with Social Catfish was overall quite positive. Some features were impressively accurate, while a few results needed cross-verification. The Reverse Phone Lookup worked smoothly — it quickly pulled up matching profiles, and I could see several linked social accounts, including Instagram. I also found the reverse image search feature quite effective, especially for verifying online identities when used alongside the phone search.
That said, I did notice some results that were either outdated or too vague, particularly in cases where users had changed their privacy settings or deleted old accounts. For instance, an old Instagram handle popped up as active, even though it had been removed months ago. So, like with any search tool, I recommend cross-checking key findings for accuracy.
Here are the steps to use Social Catfish to find an Instagram Account by Phone Number:
Step 1) Go to the Social Catfish Website and select “Phone” from its search parameter. Enter the number in the Search bar and tap Search.
Step 2) Social Catfish will start scanning and compiling associated data.
Step 3) Once results are ready, browse through the report to identify the correct Instagram account or any other linked social profiles. You can opt for a trial or choose a subscription plan to access the full report.
3-Day Trial for $5.73
Method 2: How to Find Someone’s Instagram with their Phone Number using Discover People
Spokeo and Social Catfish are certainly top-notch solutions to find that person who just disappeared from your life, but not your contacts. However, there’s more than those two frontrunners when it comes to searching Instagram by phone number. There is a Discover People feature on Instagram that may prove to be fruitful in your quest to search someone’s profile using a phone number.
Find Instagram profile Instantly
Enter Phone Number, Username or Email to Find Instagram Profile!
Look at the steps below to see how you can do it:
Step 1) Launch the Instagram app on your device and ensure you’re logged in to your account.
Step 2) As per the latest version of 2023, go to your profile and tap on the + sign with a person symbol. It is located at the top below your bio, next to Edit Profile and Share Profile.
Step 3) This will display profiles of people with the same mutual friends. Once you slide to the right, you will come across a “See all” option. Click on this option to go to the “Discover People” page.
Step 4) If prompted, allow Instagram to sync your phone contacts. This will enable the app to suggest accounts based on your phone contacts who have their phone numbers linked to their Instagram accounts.
Step 5) After syncing, scroll through the suggested contacts. If the person you’re looking for has their phone number linked to their Instagram, they should appear in this list.
Step 6) When you find the person’s Instagram account you were looking for, tap ‘Follow’ next to their name to send a follow request.
A Word of Caution: I faced some limitations while using this method. At times, this method failed to display results. Also, there were instances when it asked for mutual connections to generate results. If I didn’t have mutual connections, then it failed to deliver any information at all. In such situations, I omitted this method and tried something else mentioned in Method 3.
PeopleSmart makes it easy to find Instagram accounts using just a phone number. By searching their extensive database, you can quickly link phone numbers to social media profiles, including Instagram.
Method 3: Find Someone without Discover People
I discovered that Instagram has this function, which surprised me too. But why stop there? When helping people connect, generosity knows no bounds. If the discover people method does not meet your needs, here is another approach I recommend for how to find Instagram by phone number. Sometimes, direct search methods on Instagram can work even if the “Discover People” feature isn’t helpful. I’ve used these tactics to track down contacts who change their usernames or keep their accounts semi-private.
Here’s how I use IG’s search bar to find people without Discover People feature:
Step 1) Go to the app and tap on Instagram’s search bar to type the contact’s saved name.
Step 2) Next, check for profile photos or other clues that match.
Step 3) You can also look through mutual friends’ follower lists for leads.
Step 4) If this doesn’t bring up anyone in the result, try alternative name spellings or common nicknames.
Please Note: This method may not work if their account is private or if they don’t use their real name on Instagram. You may then try searching variations or nicknames they might use. You may also look at the followers’ list of your mutual friends on Instagram. If the person you’re looking for follows some of your friends, you might find them in the friend’s followers’ list. Pairing these methods with a bit of detective work can increase your chances of finding someone on Instagram. Doesn’t matter if they are in your contact list or not.
Spynger is one of the top tools to help you find Instagram accounts using just a phone number. With its advanced tracking features, you can uncover hidden or private profiles easily.
Method 4: Find an Instagram Account by Phone Number via Other Social Networks
During my analysis of reverse lookup tools, I found that using someone’s social media profiles to find their Instagram account can be highly effective. When Instagram searches stall, I often pivot to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. Cross-referencing phone numbers on these networks can reveal hidden Instagram connections, particularly for people active across multiple platforms.
1) Using Facebook
The giant of social media has ways to help you find people on Instagram. For example, while assisting a client to confirm a freelancer’s identity, I found their Instagram handle directly on their Facebook profile and cross-checked their activity. This approach works well when verifying online relationships or exploring potential professional collaborations. Although privacy settings sometimes hide links or posts. If I can’t find a connection, I try searching via mutual friends or message the contact for clarification.
Here’s how Fb can be used as an Instagram account search tool by phone number:
Step 1) Open the Facebook app or website and sign in to your account. Go to the person’s Facebook profile. If the person’s Instagram account is connected, they may have an Instagram link on their profile.
Step 2) Scroll through their profile details for any mention of Instagram or a direct link to their Instagram profile.
Step 3) Often, users share their Instagram posts on Facebook. Look for any mention of their Instagram handle in photo descriptions or statuses.
Step 4) Check if you have mutual friends and see if those friends follow the person on Instagram. They might also have tagged each other in photos.
2) Using Twitter (X)
This method that I use is just as simple as Facebook’s, but with a few different steps. I often use Twitter for indirect Instagram searches—users tend to share photos or mention their Instagram handles in tweets or bios. This was helpful recently when a colleague needed to reach out to an artist but only had their Twitter. A quick scan of their tweets revealed an Instagram handle, enabling a successful connection. However, results may be fragmented if the user is not active or has a private Twitter. I always cross-reference other platforms to ensure accuracy.
Follow the steps given below to find an IG account using X:
Step 1) Sign in to your Twitter account on the app or website.
Step 2) Use the search bar to locate the person’s Twitter profile.
Step 3) Users frequently share Instagram photos or mention their Instagram handles in their tweets.
Step 4) Twitter users often include their Instagram handles in their bio. Check this section for any Instagram-related information.
Step 5) Browse through the accounts they’re following. If they follow Instagram’s official account or other known Instagram-related accounts, they’re likely to have an IG account.
3) Using LinkedIn
Unlike Twitter and Facebook, this platform can be slightly trickier. Nonetheless, there are ways to find an Instagram account by phone number on LinkedIn. LinkedIn can occasionally help in finding Instagram details, especially among professionals who cross-promote personal brands. I once located a speaker’s Instagram via their LinkedIn contact info, which helped my event team verify their identity and reach out for collaboration. Some users restrict social info on LinkedIn. In such cases, I supplement my search with public articles or comments they’ve made.
Here’s how you can use LinkedIn to find an IG account:
Step 1) Log in to your LinkedIn account.
Step 2) Use the search bar to find their professional profile.
Step 3) Some users add their social media links under the contact info section on LinkedIn.
Step 4) Users may share content from their Instagram, especially if it’s relevant to their profession.
Step 5) Check if they have mentioned their Instagram handle in published articles or comments on the platform. At times, they also provide their contact number in their posts and comments.
Please Note: I would like to remind you that finding someone’s Instagram account through other social networks requires a bit of investigation. It can also depend on the user’s privacy settings and whether they choose to link their social media accounts. I will never assure you of a 100% success rate while trying social media sites to discover someone’s Instagram account using a phone number. Be respectful of user privacy if someone has a private profile or does not readily share their contact details. They may prefer to keep their social media presence restricted to known contacts or for professional use only. Henceforth, you need to consider other methods discussed in this blog to try your luck.
Pro Tips: How to Disable Contact Syncing on Instagram
I used this step for extra privacy; it can be a useful ploy to stay incognito.
Step 1) Launch the Instagram app and go to your profile.
Step 2) Tap the hamburger menu icon and select ‘Settings’.
Step 3) Choose the ‘Account Center’ option, followed by Your information and permissions’.
Step 4) Then click on “Upload Contacts” and slide back the “Connect Contacts” switch to turn off the sync.
What if the phone number isn’t on the Instagram profile?
If someone’s phone number isn’t listed, use alternative methods such as searching social media by phone number for free, reverse searching by email address, other social media username, and full name using third-party apps like Spokeo and Social Catfish. You can also directly approach a mutual friend for help or politely message the person directly on other apps to get their phone number. If you have the image, then try Google Reverse Image Search to look for the person’s presence on Instagram or other social network accounts.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here’s a table of the common issues of finding an Instagram account by photo and ways to troubleshoot them:
| Common Issues | Troubleshoots |
|---|---|
| Users may have set their accounts to private, limiting visibility. | Try sending a request to follow you or ask the user directly. |
| The account may not be linked to the phone number you have, or the format may be incorrect (e.g., missing country code). | You should verify the number format and try different numbers. |
| Instagram may restrict certain search functionalities due to privacy policies. | Wait and try again later, or consider using alternative methods. |
| The account may have been deleted or deactivated by the user. | Confirm with the person if they still have an account. |
| Temporary issues with Instagram’s platform can affect searches, and the search feature may not always yield results based on phone numbers alone. | Restart the app, check for updates, or explore other social media platforms. |
Tips for Protecting Your Privacy on Instagram
To safeguard your privacy on Instagram, start by setting your account to private. It will restrict others from accessing your posts and stories. Alternatively, Instagram also gives you the option to limit who can see your content by carefully approving followers. Also, you should refrain from sharing your phone number, location details, and other personal information publicly. Try to review your followers as frequently as you can. Don’t hesitate to block an account that you find suspicious. Lastly, think twice before linking your phone number with Instagram (it is better not to link the number).
Can I use mutual friends’ profiles to find someone on Instagram?
Yes, you can use mutual friends’ profiles to find someone on Instagram. Browse your mutual friends’ followers or following lists, if the person you’re seeking follows them or is followed by them, you’ll likely spot their profile. You can also look for comments or likes on your mutual friends’ posts, as people often interact with those they know.
FAQs
Verdict
In my experience, Spokeo and Social Catfish are top-tier tools for finding Instagram accounts through phone numbers. Spokeo’s broad search capabilities, including public records and social profiles, are exceptional. Social Catfish, as the best alternative option, stands out for its social network mapping abilities and intuitive interface. Apart from these two tools, there are two special mentions: xMobi is known for its capability to provide in-depth details of Instagram accounts with information updates every 15 minutes. But remember to always respect privacy and use these tools ethically. Moreover, not every account will be public, and people value their online boundaries.
Spokeo helps find Instagram by phone number along with other social profiles. Spokeo’s search system trawls through public records to deliver Instagram profiles and any associated social media profiles.
