How to View Private Instagram Account, Profile & Photos

There are numerous reasons why you would want to view someone’s Instagram account. You may want to find out what your old connections or friends are up to. It may also be purely out of curiosity about someone you are interested in or to check a candidate’s background before hiring them. Moreover, you may be enticed by their content for personal reasons but do not want to follow them.

I have dedicated over 78 hours to finding these legal ways to view a private Instagram profile to feed your curiosity. I have spent time understanding how they work and what results they can provide. I aim to offer you only genuine methods that work after first-hand experience. Therefore, you can now go through this article to choose which method suits you the best. 

Method 1: View Using Private Instagram Viewer App GlassaGram

GlassaGram is an anonymous Instagram viewer app that lets you view an Insta account and its activities. It is an easy-to-use app that ensures security while showing all the details of IG posts in a calendar view. I found it to be one of the best options available for viewing private Instagram accounts, as it is a dedicated app.

I could use it to monitor multiple private accounts and switch between them as I wish. All you need to do is add these profiles to your GlassaGram account and check them whenever you want.

Features:

• Real-time Stories: GlassaGram lets you view Instagram stories in real-time, so you get updates on the target account’s stories like a regular follower. It also helped me view reactions and comments on the target individual’s stories.
• View and Download: Along with viewing, I could also download videos, be it in stories or post format. You can save the stories up to 3 months and rewatch them.
• Track Likes: This feature lets you view who frequently double-taps on the posts of your person of interest. It also allows me to track someone’s growing interest in my target profile by monitoring their likes on the target’s posts.
• DM Checker: GlassaGram is powerful enough to let you get into the Direct Message. Thus, I could view who my target profile chats with and what they are chatting about.
• No IG Account Required: You can still view the profiles even if you have not registered with the Instagram account. It helped me look at private and public profiles, giving full access to any Instagram profile.
• Quick Setup: It has an instant setup that can be completed within 5 minutes. All you have to do is choose your subscription plan, purchase, receive an email, enter the username of the target profile in your account, and wait for GlassaGram to retrieve data and start monitoring.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans of GlassaGram:

Monthly	3 Month	Annually
$49.99	$89.97	$149.88

Free Trial: It has a free version with limited features.

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Lifetime Free Basic Plan

Here are the steps that I used to view private Instagram profiles using GlassaGram:

Step 1) Get a subscription or select the free version of GlassaGram by going to https://glassagram.com/type-of-account.html

Step 2) Select the type of Instagram account you want to monitor between Open and Private. Here, select Private and hit Next.

Step 3) Now type in the user name or paste a URL of the Instagram account and tap on Watch @

Step 4) Next, enter your email address, click on Sign Up, and start viewing their profile.

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Lifetime Free Basic Plan

Method 2: How to See Private Instagram Account Using a Third-Party App

During my analysis, I found that mSpy and Spokeo can help if you are wondering how to see private account photos on instagram. These apps operate in stealth mode, allowing you to see all activities on someone’s phone. Now, let us review each app one at a time.

1) Spokeo

As I evaluated it, I particularly liked Spokeo for its straightforward approach to accessing private Instagram profiles. It not only removes barriers like user blocks but also actively seeks input on new features to implement, making it extremely user-centric. You can find Instagram accounts and images even if someone has blocked you using Spokeo.

Features:

• Quick Access: You can get Instagram usernames, images, and other social media aliases of a person within a few seconds.
• Software-Free: I didn’t need to download any software as it can be used directly from the website. 
• Compliance: It is 100% legal, safe, and secure. Spokeo also lets you secure your data by providing a “Do not sell my info” option.
• Instant Results: I could view my results online immediately. Additionally, I found its reports quite detailed and easy to read.
• Free Searches: Basic person lookups by name or phone number are available for free, though full reports require a paid membership.

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7-Days Trial for $0.95

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2) mSpy

In the course of my review, I discovered that mSpy is among the best private Instagram viewer apps. It can track all activities on a target phone. After you install it on the target phone, you can view the owner’s activities. It runs in stealth mode, allowing you to stay anonymous.

This tool lets you view calls, deleted messages, social media apps, photos, videos, etc. It also lets you record or listen to calls, restrict app usage, and more. With this app, I could view the phone’s screen on my device as if it were my own. mSpy is mainly helpful for parents who wish to monitor their kid’s phone activities.

Features:

• View Instagram Profile: By downloading it to the target person’s phone, I could view their IG profile and chats. It also lets me see other social media profiles they visit with its screenshot and screen recorder feature.
• Insta Stories and Videos: mSpy is capable of monitoring every post, story, and reel that goes up on a private account. Therefore, you can easily view what they share on their story, what reels they make or view, and more.
• Likes and Other Activities: Using mSpy, you can find out where they have double-tapped and where they left a comment. I could also view the visited profiles, reels shared, people followed, and more.
• Keystroke: Its keystroke tracker lets you know what they are typing and what activities they are engaging with on their phones.
• Direct Message: mSpy allowed me to see all the chats, deleted messages, pictures, videos shared, and calls made in the DMs without hassle.
• GeoTracking: Its geolocation tracking feature keeps you updated about the target individual’s location. mSpy also offers a detailed route history plus real-time tracking to let you keep an eye on them.

Pricing:

Here are the pricing plans of mSpy:

12 Months	3 Months	1 Month
$8.33 monthly	$20.00 monthly	$34.99

Free Trial: No, but 14-day money-back guarantee

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14-Days Money-Back Guarantee

Follow these steps to use mSpy and view private Instagram profiles:

Step 1) Visit https://www.mspy.com/instagram.html and click on Get Now.

Step 2) Now type in your email address and tap on Continue.

Step 3) Next, choose the operating system between Android and iOS, or you can also click on decide later. Then, choose the most suitable plan, complete the payment, and start monitoring.

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14-Days Money-Back Guarantee

Method 3: How to View Private Instagram Profiles Using Google Search

I tested methods for how to view Instagram’s private profile. According to my review, Google Search is one of the fastest ways to view Instagram pictures. While it is not as detailed as private Instagram viewers, users leave image trails on search engines like Google. 

Thus allowing Google to create a gallery with the person’s previous posts. The posts you see will be from the time when the account was public.

Here are the steps on how to view private Instagram profiles using Google:

Step 1) Go to Google and enter their username @thekupkakefairy, or you can add the Instagram word with it, to be precise.

Step 2) See if the results show any of their previous posts, then click on All Images, News, and Videos to view the rest of the pictures. There is a good chance that this person has left a trace of one or more pictures.

Using this method, you will not be able to view private Instagram posts but still get some idea about the user’s account.

Method 4: Send a Follow Request to View Someones Private Instagram

While I was examining the best ways to access private Instagram accounts, I noticed that sending a follow request is one of the easiest options. If you do not want to use spy mode or settle for old posts shown by Google search, sending a follow request is a great way to access private profiles.

This method will instantly provide you access to all their recent posts, stories, and updates. However, if you are blocked or they do not accept your request, then I suggest respecting their privacy.

Method 5: Ask a Friend to View the Private Profile

I found another easy way to view a private Instagram profile. You can check if you already have a friend who is following the person and ask them to visit the target individual’s profile so you can see what they are up to.

If you do not live nearby, you can simply request your friend to screenshot and send their posts and stories. They can also screen-record video posts, reels, and video stories to forward it to you. 

Method 6: Create a Fake Instagram Profile

As per my research, the other easiest way to view a private Instagram account is by creating a believable fake profile. This allows you to send a friend request without worrying about your identity.  I recommend this method for those who want to see private profiles effectively without using tools.

Creating a fake profile is easy; you just have to follow the same steps that you used to sign up for Instagram.  While creating the fake account, make sure your username has nothing to do with your real name and keep your account private. This method is not illegal, although it can be slightly unethical.

Method 7: Check their Profile on other Social Media Platforms

I use this method when I don’t want to go through the trouble of asking others or using a fake ID for private Instagram account viewing. There’s a high chance that if someone has created an Instagram account, they’ve also made other social media profiles. People usually post the same pictures across their other social media accounts, and there’s a possibility they might not have made those profiles private.

Therefore, if you want to check their pictures, you can go to their other profiles, such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, Snapchat, etc.

Chances are they post their latest pictures and offer updates about their whereabouts on these platforms. This will give an idea about what they could be posting on Instagram. However, do keep in mind that being a social media stalker is not an ideal behavior, thus checking their profile at times is okay but being obsessed is something you must reflect on.

How to Make Your Instagram Account Private?

Making your Instagram account private is not a difficult task. I have given the steps below to help you make your account private:

Step 1) Go to your account and click on the three lines in the top right-hand side corner.

Step 2) A menu will slide up where you must select Settings and Privacy.

Step 3) In Settings and Privacy, scroll down and go to Account Privacy.

Step 4) Tap on Account privacy and slide the button to make your profile private.

Your account is now visible only to your followers. You can follow this same process if you want to make your profile public again.

Reasons why People Make their Instagram Accounts Private

Making an Instagram account private benefits people differently, and the reasons could vary. Here are some of the reasons why people make their Instagram accounts private:

• They like to keep their life private and want to connect with only a select few that they already know in real life.
• Nosy relatives are a common issue everyone faces; therefore, some people prefer to keep their accounts private to avoid such relatives.
• Some individuals might have stalkers, such as exes, haters, or simply obsessed people. Hence, they choose to remain private on Instagram.
• Some content creators keep their accounts private to increase curiosity and gain more followers. They also do this to get more authentic followers who are actually interested in their content.

There might also be some other personal reasons due to which a user might have an Instagram private profile. However, the above reasons are some of the most common cases.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Making Instagram Account Private

There are numerous benefits and drawbacks to keeping an Instagram account private, let us look at both sides individually.

Advantages:

• Privacy: If you are a very private person and love your privacy, then keeping your Instagram account private can help maintain your secrecy.
• Avoid stalkers: Keeping your account private can steer clear of stalkers like crazy exes, obsessed admirers, haters, and more.
• Testing: Private mode is a good option in order to test your account and how your posts look once uploaded before you show them to the public.
• Create an exclusive aura: You can create a sense of exclusivity by keeping your Instagram private. Therefore, you can also increase the eagerness among the users to send you more follow requests.
• Business: If you are a business owner, you can manage operations and gain real leads by setting your Instagram account as private. This also helps you focus on the correct target audience and nurture your leads instead of trying to cater to everyone.

Disadvantages:

• Manual work: In a private account, you have to select and manually approve follow requests. This can be overwhelming if you get a huge number of requests every day.
• Small audience: While less audience can be a good thing if you are a private person, but if you are trying to grow your account, it will take you nowhere.
• Limited reach: If you want your content to reach more people, no matter what hashtags you use or tips you follow, your posts will only reach your followers. Hence, you can showcase your content to a large number of users only if your account is set to public.

Understanding the Legality and Safety of Private Instagram Viewer Apps

Using private Instagram viewer apps must be carried out by understanding their legality and safety. While viewing a private Instagram account is not illegal, it is necessary to know that bypassing an Instagram privacy policy to view private content may raise legal questions.

It is also crucial that you follow the IG guidelines and respect a user’s privacy if they have decided not to let you into their Instagram account. Since there is always a possibility that your actions may land you in trouble with the law.

Additionally, not every third-party Instagram viewer application adheres to privacy and safety rules. Certain apps might compromise your data privacy and expose you to phishing and malware. Moreover, per Instagram’s guidelines, if you send suspicious messages or phishing links to extract a user’s private information out of desperation, your account shall be banned or deleted.

Is using private Instagram viewer apps safe?

Yes, private Instagram viewer is safe to use if you are using well-known Instagram viewer apps such as the ones mentioned above in this article. However, I must warn you not to use certain private Instagram account viewers that are not reputable, as they may share your data with third parties.

Can I view private Instagram account stories without them knowing?

Yes, you can view private Instagram account stories without them knowing using Glassagram, Instastories.watch tools, and other spy apps.

Conclusion

Accessing Instagram’s private account is possible using software designed for this specific purpose and other third-party apps. However, certain risks might be associated with some of the applications if you fail to comply with their policies.

You may also feel a sense of ethical dilemma even if they do work so it is best to go for a direct approach and send a follow request. This being said, you can still use all the above methods to view private Instagram accounts, as the apps that we have selected are risk-free.

Yet, you must still keep in mind to not be a stalker and stay within Instagram guidelines.