[7 Ways] How to View a Private Instagram Account

Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms for sharing moments with friends, family, and even strangers. But unlike public accounts, a private Instagram account keeps its posts hidden unless you’re accepted as a follower.

Naturally, many people wonder if there’s a way around this. Maybe you want to preserve memories of a loved one who passed away, check if your partner is being unfaithful, or simply reconnect with someone from your past.

However, Instagram’s privacy system is strict—and for good reason. User content is protected by design, so there’s no official “back door” to sneak in. Still, there are legitimate methods you can try, as well as risky “shortcuts” that often appear in forums and comment sections.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know:

• Table Of Contents
• PART 1. Can You Really View a Private Instagram Account?
• PART 2. Legitimate Ways to View a Private Instagram Account
• Method 1. Send a Follow Request
• Method 2. Ask a Mutual Follower
• Method 3. Password Reset (Family Members Only)
• Method 4. Request Account Memorialization
• PART 3. Workarounds People Often Talk About
• Method 1. Create a Fake (Catfish) Account
• Method 2. “Mutual Help” or Middleman Accounts
• Method 3. Ask Followers of the Account (Outside Your Circle)
• PART 4. Methods You Should Avoid
• Method 1. Third-Party “Private Viewer” Tools
• Method 2. Strangers Offering Help in DMs
• Method 3. Download Links or “Hacks”
• PART 5. Alternative Approaches
• PART 6. Extra Guidance for Concerned Parents

PART 1. Can You Really View a Private Instagram Account?

Yes—and no. Instagram is built to protect private accounts, so there’s no magic trick or official tool that lets you bypass the system. Unlike public profiles, a private account’s photos, videos, and stories remain invisible unless you’re accepted as a follower.

That said, there are still a few legitimate pathways:

• Sending a follow request directly

• Asking mutual followers to share posts with you

• Requesting access through account recovery (in family cases)

• Memorializing the account (if the person has passed away)

If you weren’t following the account before it went private, you’ll need to rely on one of these methods. Anything else you see advertised online—“view private Instagram tools,” “secret apps,” or strangers offering help—falls into the scam category.

PART 2. Legitimate Ways to View a Private Instagram Account

Method 1. Send a Follow Request

This is the only direct way Instagram allows. When you hit the Follow button, the account owner will get a notification. If they approve, you’ll gain full access to their posts and stories.

Tips to increase your chances of being accepted:

• 1.Use a real profile picture (avoid blank avatars).
• 2.Add a short but genuine bio—explain your connection if appropriate.
• 3.If you know the person personally, send a polite message explaining why you’d like to follow.

Remember, the choice is entirely up to the account owner. If they don’t approve, you won’t be able to see their content.

Method 2. Ask a Mutual Follower

If someone you know is already following the account, you can ask them to:

• Show you posts directly on their device
• Share screenshots or saved photos
• Tag you in older memories if they were involved

This is especially useful if the account belongs to a deceased loved one—friends or family who followed them may already have access to the photos you’re looking for.

Method 3. Password Reset (Family Members Only)

In rare cases, if you’re a direct family member of the account owner (for example, after they passed away), you may be able to recover access by:

• Logging into the email used for the Instagram account
• Requesting a password reset through Instagram
• Providing necessary documentation to prove relationship

This isn’t always guaranteed, but it’s one of the few official ways to request access beyond a follow.

Method 4. Request Account Memorialization

For accounts of people who have passed away, Instagram offers a Memorialization option. Once memorialized:

• The account remains on Instagram permanently, marked as a memorialized profile
• No one can log into it, but existing followers keep their access
• Content stays preserved, though private posts remain hidden if you weren’t a follower

It won’t unlock hidden posts for you, but it ensures the account won’t be deleted and helps preserve digital memories.

PART 3. Workarounds People Often Talk About

Even though Instagram doesn’t provide a back door, people on forums, Reddit, and social media often share “alternative” methods. These aren’t official, and while some may sound tempting, they come with serious risks. Let’s break them down.

Method 1. Create a Fake (Catfish) Account

This is probably the most common suggestion online. The idea is simple:

• Build a fake Instagram profile that looks real
• Upload believable photos (same person, consistent style, not stock images)
• Follow some of the target’s friends to appear trustworthy
• Then send a follow request to the private account

Method 2. “Mutual Help” or Middleman Accounts

In many Reddit threads, people post comments like: “Give me the @, I’ll get in for you” or “Let’s help each other—follow mine and I’ll follow yours.”

Method 3. Ask Followers of the Account (Outside Your Circle)

Some try messaging random followers of the private account:

• “Hey, I need to see a post, can you help?”

Possible outcome:

• Most loyal friends won’t cooperate, especially in sensitive situations like cheating or family disputes.
• You risk your request being screenshotted and sent back to the account owner.

PART 4. Methods You Should Avoid

When searching online, you’ll inevitably come across “secret tricks” or apps that promise instant access to private Instagram accounts. These are almost always scams. Here are the most common ones to steer clear of:

Method 1. Third-Party “Private Viewer” Tools

Websites like peekviewer or random “Instagram private viewer apps” claim they can unlock any account for free.

The reality:

• Instagram’s encryption doesn’t allow these tools to work.
• Most are phishing sites designed to steal your login credentials.
• Others bombard you with fake surveys, malware, or endless ads.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is. No tool outside Instagram itself can bypass privacy settings.

Method 2. Strangers Offering Help in DMs

In Reddit threads, you’ll often see comments like: “DM me, I can show you private accounts.”

Method 3. Download Links or “Hacks”

Some posts share APK files or browser extensions claiming to unlock private accounts.

Risks include:

• Malware installation
• Stolen personal data
• Permanent compromise of your device security

PART 5. Alternative Approaches

If you can’t gain access to the account directly, here are healthier, safer alternatives that can still help you move forward.

1. Talk Directly (If Appropriate)

Sometimes the simplest solution is communication.

• Send a polite message explaining why you’d like to see their posts.
• Be transparent—whether it’s for closure, family memories, or another personal reason.
• They may still decline, but at least you approached respectfully.

2. Focus on Mutual Connections

Instead of taking risks online, lean on people you already know:

• Friends or family who followed the account may still have screenshots or saved posts.
• Ask gently—you might discover content you’d never seen.

3. Request Emotional Closure

In situations like suspected cheating or a loved one’s passing, constantly chasing hidden content can drain your mental health. Alternatives include:

• Having an honest conversation with your partner
• Seeking support from trusted friends or family
• Preserving memories through shared photos or videos from others

4. Consider Professional Channels

For deceased relatives, Instagram offers:

• Memorialization: Keeps the account online in tribute form
• Official Support Requests: If you’re the legal next of kin, you may have limited account management options

These routes won’t bypass privacy but do protect the memory of your loved one.

PART 6. Extra Guidance for Concerned Parents

While most advice online focuses on general users, parents often carry an extra weight of responsibility: making sure their kids are safe online without pushing too hard on their privacy. The right approach is trust—backed by the right tools.

Open Conversations: Talk with your child about their digital life. Discuss safe practices such as ignoring suspicious requests, reporting harmful content, and setting healthy screen time habits.

Stay Connected the Right Way: Following your child’s Instagram is a good start, but let them know your intent is safety, not control. Honest communication reduces resistance and builds mutual understanding.

Use Supportive Tools like VigilKids: When open talk isn’t enough, VigilKids provides parents with a gentle but powerful way to stay informed:

• Get instant alerts if sensitive keywords appear in chats or searches
• Track app usage and set healthy limits for apps like Instagram or TikTok
• Review risky content with AI image detection to spot inappropriate material early
• Use real-time screenshots to understand what’s happening on your child’s phone—including hidden Instagram screens such as content feeds, follower lists, or even chat windows
• Activate live features like screen recording or surrounding sound when urgent situations arise

Look Beyond Instagram: Teens often move between platforms. VigilKids gives you a unified dashboard of their online world—so you don’t need to chase clues across TikTok, YouTube, or messaging apps.

Conclusion

Viewing a private Instagram account isn’t easy—and that’s intentional for protecting privacy.

✔️ Safe ways: send a follow request, ask mutual followers, recover access (family cases), or request memorialization.

❌ Avoid: fake accounts, strangers offering “help,” third-party viewers, or DM scams.

If access isn’t possible, focus on open communication or closure—your well-being matters more than forcing a peek.

Want a safer way to guide your child’s online activity? Try VigilKids. It helps parents monitor risky content, flag sensitive keywords, and even capture real-time screenshots on apps like Instagram—so you can stay informed without being intrusive.