A private Instagram account is an Instagram profile where the user's posts and activities are only visible to approved followers rather than the general public.
In this post, you'll learn how to view a private Instagram account without following it.
In addition, I'll cover these topics:
- You can use private profile viewer software to pry any private Instagram account.
- How a private Instagram profile viewer works.
- The legality of viewing private Instagram profiles, and more.
I'll also answer a few common questions users have regarding spying on other people's private Instagram accounts.
Let me start by addressing the all-important question;
Why Would You Want to Spy on a Private Instagram Profile?
There are several reasons you'd want to view Instagram accounts that don't belong to you. These may include:
- If you want to keep tabs on what your kids are doing on Instagram
- If you want to see what a person, business, or brand that shares your interests is up to
- If you want to spy on a cheating partner
- If a private account wants you to follow them, but need to see their type of content first and vice versa.
The next question becomes;
What are the Best Private Instagram Viewers?
Whatever the reason you'd want to spy a private IG profile, I've assembled top private Instagram viewer apps for you. These are easy to use, and most can run on Android and iOS devices.
1. xMobi
xMobi has my vote as the best Instagram private account viewer.
This tool gives you access to all the info you need from the targeted private account. The data includes all the private publications, chats, and followers' reactions.
You can also find the person's hidden photos, password changes, and followers list.
Key Highlights
- Easy to use interface. All you need to do is enter the username on the provided search box, and you're good to go.
- Integrated private photo viewer
- Near instant access to the targeted private accounts
- Top-notch security to guarantee 100% security
- Unlike most private Instagram viewers, you don't need to download xMobi
Pricing
xMobi is available for a monthly subscription of $49.
My Take
xMobi is an excellent tool for viewing private Instagram profiles without downloading the app. It is as easy to use as it gets. I recommend it for desktop, laptop, and tablet usage. xMobi can access the account you want to spy on in 10 minutes max.
2. uMobix
uMobix offers stellar features to let you view private Instagram accounts easily.
You can even view direct messages being exchanged on Instagram chat in real time. Better yet, this tool tracks and updates messages after every 5 minutes.
And according to uMobix's official website, 3 million users have downloaded the app to date.
Key Highlights
- Full access to any person's private Instagram profile. You can scroll news feeds and monitor followers.
- You don't have to root your phone to use uMobix.
- Real-time updates. The app takes screenshots every second and delivers them to your inbox
- Ability to track when a user is online
Pricing
uMobix is available in three subscription packages include:
- $44.99 per month
- $26.99 for three months
- $11.24 for 12 months
My Take
uMobix is a great tool if you want to spy more than an Instagram profile private. It also allows you to pry other social media accounts, including WhatsApp, Calls, Telegram, TikTok, Messenger, Facebook, and more. The app has a rating of 4.3 on Trustpilot and rave reviews to its name.
3. Spy Human
Spy Human is an all-in-one Android monitoring solution.
Unlike other tools we've reviewed, this one is designed for parents who want to know what their underage children are doing on various social media platforms.
Spy Human boasts a variety of features as outlined below:
Key Highlights
- Parental control to monitor your kid's smartphone activities.
- Data backup lets you get up-to-date information with real-time uploading in a highly secure server.
- Anti-theft helps you track a lost or stolen phone
- Round-the-clock live support to help sort app glitches as quickly as possible.
Pricing
Spy Human is available for a monthly subscription of $9.99.
It also comes with a 7-day trial.
My Take
Spy Human is the solution to go for if you want a wholesome view of what your children are doing on social media. And then there's the anti-theft functionality to keep your phone safe.
4. eyeZy
eyeZy is marketed as a powerful tool for phone monitoring.
It has innovative features that make it super easy to view a person's private profile on Instagram and other social media platforms.
Here's what you get with eyeZy.
Key Highlights
- Quick set-up to allow you swift access to a user's Instagram account.
- Ability to spy on other people's accounts without being detected,
- Alerts if the target account user is doing something wrong.
- Bank-grade encryption guarantees your data's safety.
- Allow you to see a user's private account photos, social media chats, pictures, and more.
Pricing
eyeZy is priced as follows:
- $47.86 per month
- $27.99 per 3 months
- $10 per 12 months
May Take
eyeZy is yet another solid solution if you want to keep tabs on a person's activities on a private Instagram account. I love the reasonable pricing and the ability to track activities on several social media platforms.
5. Hoverwatch
Hoverwatch thrives on simplicity.
To get started, you only need to complete a three-step process. Sign up using your account, prepare your devices, and start viewing your target's personal accounts.
Despite the simplicity, Hoverwatch packs a host of powerful features as follows.
Key Highlights
- Top-level anonymity. Hoverwatch allows you to stay completely hidden from the user, even if they understand how their device works.
- Ability to track SMS and MMS messages received or sent by the user.
- Capacity to collect data from multiple 3rd party apps, including Snapchat, Facebook, Gmail, WhatsApp, and more.
- Geolocation functionality. Allows you to view the location of your device using Wi-Fi signals.
- Access browsing history, gallery, and other apps on the user's device.
Pricing
Hoverwatch is priced as follows:
- Personal Plan: $24.95 per month for one device
- Professional Plan: $9.99 per month for five devices
- Business: $6 per month for 25 devices
My Take
Hoverwatch is a perfect solution to see private Instagram accounts in private mode without leaving a hole in your budget. It is reasonably priced compared to most in-class apps and has many features despite the affordable price tag.
6. mSpy
mSpy is marketed as the best phone tracker for parental control.
And according to mSpy's official website, this app has over 1.5 happy customers. On top of that, it is supported in 180 countries.
Moreover, mSpy offers 36 features to help you monitor private accounts. Let's see what it can do for you if you want to view private Instagram accounts.
Key Highlights
- Tracker to allow you to tell the user's current location through geo-fencing.
- Ability to read all sent and received images on Instagram.
- Allows you to see all shared media and links.
- It lets you see the user's browsing history and bookmarked and blocked websites.
Pricing
mSpy is available via subscription as follows:
- $48.99 for one month
- $28 per month for three months
- $11.67 per month for 12 months
My Take
If the number of people using mSpy is anything to go by, then the tool delivers what it promises. It is reasonably priced, too, especially for the annual subscription.
7. Glassagram
Founded in 2017, Glassagram is one of the earliest tools to allow people to see a private Instagram account from the inside out.
One of its attractive features is the quick installation and set-up process. You can sign-up, install the app, and it'll be ready for use in a minute.
Key Highlights
- Ability to watch Instagram stories anonymously.
- Ability to track direct messages, news feeds, comments, and IGTV likes for private Insta accounts.
- Automatic update to ensure your Glassagram continues to work smoothly.
- Data encryption to keep your account safe.
Pricing
Glassagram is available through subscription plans as follows:
- $54.99 for one month
- $33.33 per month for three months
- $14.99 per month for 12 months
My Take
Even though Glassagram doesn't have a lot of features compared to some private Instagram viewers, it does enough to enable you to pry the targeted account. I recommend it if you want to access basic info you wouldn't ordinarily see on a public Instagram account.
8. InstaRipper
InstaRipper is available as an app downloadable directly from Google Play Store.
The application is compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows so you can use it on almost every device.
Key Highlights
- Integrated Instagram profile viewer
- Access to private Instagram photos
- Ability to spy on the target user DMs
- Instagram story viewer for blocked accounts
Pricing
InstaRipper is a free tool. You can download it on the developer's website or Google Play Store.
My Take
InstaRipper is a good tool to view private Instagram accounts if you're okay with downloading the files that come with it. To use this service, key in the Instagram username of the account you want to target, and the tool will generate a link that'll give you access to the private profile.
9. InstaDP
InstaDP is an all-in-one tool that enables you to view any private Instagram account and then some more.
You can also use it to download Instagram content, including profile pictures, stories, videos, story highlights, reels, and more.
InstaDP works online, so you don't need to install it on your phone. You can view the target account's profile in a few clicks.
Key Highlights
- Insta profile picture downloader
- Insta video downloader
- Insta stories downloader
- Insta stories highlight downloader
- Insta reels downloader
Pricing
InstaDP is a free tool usable directly on the developer's website.
My Take
InstaDP is an excellent tool if you're looking for a free solution to give you access to private IG accounts. Its performance is solid, and so is its usability.
10. Gwaa
Gwaa is one of the most secure applications designed to let you spy on any private account owner on Instagram.
Like most solutions on this list, it allows you to spy on an Instagram user under complete anonymity.
Key Highlights
- Access to private Instagram photos and videos
- Ability to let you stalk IG accounts anonymously
- Assistance with password recovery for your own Instagram account
- The online-based operation, enabling you to use Gwaa on any devices
Pricing
Gwaa is free to use. You can access all of its features on the application's official website.
My Take
Gwaa is a great free Instagram private account viewer that you can use to snoop profiles of people you want to follow but aren't sure about the validity of their profile. Further, Gwaa has been around for quite some time, building a good reputation and trust.
11. InstaLooker
Don't have the money for a paid solution to help view private Instagram photos? No problem! InstaLooker is a free tool that enables you to view a specific person's private Instagram account in a minute.
While it doesn't have the premium features of the paid options, InstaLooker is still a robust tool with handy capabilities.
Key Highlights
- Ability to download videos and photos from profiles without following them.
- You don't have to download any file, reducing the risk of infecting your device with viruses or malware.
- Clean and user-friendly interface.
- FAQs page to help you get the hang of things quickly
Pricing
InstaLooker is a free-to-use tool. You can run it on your laptop or phone.
My Take
InstaLooker is a simple app that allows you to access private Instagram accounts without paying a dime. I like its uncluttered interface, making it easy to navigate through the solution.
12. IGLookup
The name couldn't be more appropriate.
IGLookup allows you to look up any private Instagram account, even if you don't have an account of your own. Founded in 2014, it is one of the oldest such tools on the market.
This third-party Instagram viewer app comes with a collection of handy features as described below:
Key Highlights
- One-click operation. Enter the targeted profile username and access the info with a click.
- Ability to view stories, photos, and followers anonymously.
- Safe operation. IGLookup promises secure and legal browsing.
- No need for human verification to access a private Instagram profile.
- You don't have to download the app to your device.
Pricing
IGLookup is free to use.
My Take
While IGLookup doesn't have as many features as most paid third-party apps, it still does a great job when it comes to spying on a target's Instagram profile. You can consider it if you're on a tight budget.
13. PrivatePhotoViewer
With PrivatePhotoViewer Instagram private profile viewer, you can spy on an account that has blocked you.
The tool promises to help you view other people's Instagram stories and content you don't have permission to see.
Moreover, you can use the PrivatePhotoViewer to view private Instagram accounts without downloading the software.
Key Highlights
- Build-on Instagram private photo viewer
- Instagram account story view
- Insta Stalker is a function that allows you to stalk your favorite Instagram accounts anonymously
- Simple web interface
- Stellar customer support desk
Pricing
PrivatePhotoViewer is a free private Instagram viewer app. Head to the platform's official website, enter the target user name, confirm the details, click what you want to view, and hit enter.
My Take
PrivatePhotoViewer is ideal for viewing blocked or locked Instagram profiles. You don't have to pay for software; it takes about a minute to complete the entire process.
How to Choose an Instagram Private Viewer
All private Instagram viewers aren't the same.
Many of the tools on the market have been blacklisted for leaving malware and viruses on your devices. Others are said to instigate phishing attacks.
And some have to take you through a survey before allowing you to access a private Instagram account.
So, how do you choose one that's safe and, most importantly, can deliver the results?
Before you pick any tools, ask yourself?
- What are people saying about the private Instagram viewer? The higher the tools ratings, the better. You can check a solution's rating on a website like Trustpilot.
- How many features does the private viewer offer? The more features, the better the tool.
- Is the tool compatible with my device? You want a solution that works on as many devices as possible.
- Do I need to download the tool? If yes, what's the level of encryption? As stated, private profile viewers have been accused of infecting devices with viruses.
- How much does the tool cost? Of course, you want a reasonably priced tool.
Speaking of price, are free private Instagram account viewers worth it? Most of them are. You should know, though, that free tools often have limited functionality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What does it mean to have a private Instagram profile?
As the name suggests, an IG account is private if the public cannot access it. Put differently, the owner has set it to private.
Users can decide to set their account to private to narrow their followers. Think of it as a tactic to keep fake connections at bay.
Most people operate private Instagram profiles to safeguard their activities online.
You can control who follows or befriend you when your account is private. Instagram allows you to switch between public and private accounts based on your requirements.
Q: What are some other ways to view private Instagram profiles?
Besides using the tools highlighted in this article, you can access a private IG account through the following procedure:
- Create a new or temporary account
- Request to follow the target user account
Chances are, the user may accept your request, especially if they've blocked your specific IG account. Still, this doesn't guarantee that the user will accept your request.
Besides, creating a fake Instagram account is the easiest way to get banned on the platform.
That said, the best way to access anyone's IG account without them noticing is by using the tools highlighted in this list.
Q: Can someone see that I viewed their Instagram story if we're not friends?
Yes, a person can see that you've viewed their Instagram story even if you're not friends. In the same way, you can know who has viewed your story even if you're not mutual friends on the platform.
However, only your followers can see your story if you've set your account to private. And if you want to hide your Instagram story, here's how to go about it:
Head over to your profile. Click on the three horizontal lines located at the right of your screen
- Hit the setting tab at the bottom left
- Enter the Privacy and Security
- Click Story Controls
- Click on Hide Story From. Choose who you don't want to view your story.
Q: Are private Instagram viewers legal to use?
There's a back-and-forth argument about spying on other people's private accounts using online tools.
To some extent, prying on anyone's private Instagram posts isn't the most ethical thing to do.
On the flip side, we live in the connectivity age where your kids can access internet-enabled devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
As a responsible parent, you want to know what your children are doing. You'd also want to spy on your partner if you suspect them of cheating.
Sure, that doesn't justify the action. However, it goes a long in letting you know the truth and raising morally upright kids.
In Conclusion
I get it.
Knowing how to view a private Instagram account may not be the most morally upright thing to do. At times, it's good to respect other people's decision to keep their Instagram accounts private.
On the other hand, Instagram has a strong lure to teens. While they might not necessarily engage in harmful activities, it is good to know what your kids are up to.
Did you know, for instance, that Instagram is the leading platform where sexual predators find, recruit, and groom their victims?
With such stats, it makes perfect sense to monitor and track what they're up to on Instagram to ensure they don't make mistakes they'll regret.
Isn't monitoring your kids or partner on Instagram infringing their privacy? Well, to some extent, it is. But then again, you'd rather be safe than sorry, right?
In any case, you are solely responsible for deciding whether you want to view any private accounts.
I merely have listed here some tools for your consideration.
There are also tools on how you can view Instagram stories anonymously.
