How to view a private Instagram account — even without requesting to follow it

Instagram gives us a sneak peek into the lives of other people. But since you can make an account private, you won't always have access to the photos and videos some people post, especially if you don't opt to follow those private accounts. 

Sometimes, this can make sense: You may be wary of following an account without being able to see what they're posting. So it can help to look for examples of their posts to decide if you want to follow an account or not.

Here's what you need to know about seeing a private Instagram's posts:

How to view a private Instagram account

If you want to view a private Instagram account at any time, your best bet is to just follow the account. This requires the user to approve your follow request.

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. 

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. 

How to view a private Instagram account without requesting to follow it

If you aren't already following the private account, here are two methods you can try:

Do a Google image search for the account name 

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. 

Go through someone else's 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.