This article explains how to block a person within the Instagram social platform and how to unblock them if you change your mind in the future. Both procedures (locking and unlocking) can be performed both from the Instagram app for smartphones and tablets and using the official website of the social network. If someone is harassing you on Instagram by continuing to create a new account every time you block the previous one, consider reporting it to the administrators and making your profile private. It should be noted that if someone has blocked you, you have no way to access their list of blocked people to unblock yourself.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Block a User from a Mobile Device
Step 1. Launch the Instagram app
Tap the application icon, which features a multicolored camera. If you are already logged in with your user profile you will be automatically redirected to the main Instagram page.
If you have not yet logged into your account you will need to provide the corresponding username (or associated email address / phone number) and the security password
Step 2. Go to the profile of the person you want to block
Scroll through the content displayed on the main page of your Instagram account until you find the user you want to block, then select them by tapping their profile picture.
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Alternatively you can take advantage of the function Search for by touching the icon
Macspotlight located at the bottom of the screen and performing a search by entering the username (or real name) of the person to be blocked.
Step 3. Press the ⋯ button
It is located in the upper right corner of the device screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
If you are using an Android device you will need to press the button ⋮.
Step 4. Select the Block option
It is one of the items listed in the menu that appeared.
Step 5. Press the Lock button when prompted
The user in question will be automatically added to the "Blocked users" list, which means that they will no longer be able to view your profile, the posts you publish and the comments.
If you are using an Android device, press the button Yes, I confirm when prompted to confirm your action.
Method 2 of 3: Unblock a User from a Mobile Device
Step 1. Launch the Instagram app
Tap the app icon featuring a multicolored camera. If you are already logged in with your user profile you will be automatically redirected to the main Instagram page.
If you have not yet logged into your account you will need to provide the corresponding username (or associated email address / phone number) and the security password
Step 2. Access your Instagram profile card by tapping the icon
It is located in the lower right corner of the screen. Your profile page will be displayed.
If you have more than one Instagram account connected to the app, the indicated icon will display the image of the currently selected user profile
Step 3. Press the ☰ button
It is located at the top right of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
Step 4. Choose the Settings option
It is displayed at the bottom of the appeared menu.
Step 5. Scroll through the newly appeared list of entries to locate and select the Blocked Users option
It is visible in the center of the "Privacy and Security" screen.
Step 6. Select the person to block by tapping their corresponding user profile
Step 7. Press the Unlock button
It is blue in color and is located at the top of the screen. The chosen person will be unlocked immediately.
If you are using an Android device, press the button Yes, I confirm after selecting the option Unlock, to confirm your choice.
Method 3 of 3: Use the Website from a Desktop or Laptop
Step 1. Log in to the Instagram website
Type the URL https://www.instagram.com/ into the address bar of the internet browser. If you are already logged in with your user profile, you will be automatically redirected to the main Instagram page.
If you have not yet logged into your account you will need to press the button Log in, located at the bottom right of the page, and provide the corresponding username (or associated email address / phone number) and the security password.
Step 2. Go to the profile of the person you want to block
Scroll through the content displayed on the main page of your Instagram account until you find the user you want to block, then select it by clicking on the profile name. You will be redirected to their user account page.
Alternatively, you can type the username or profile name of the person to be blocked in the search bar at the top of the Instagram page and then select the corresponding account from the list of results that will appear
Step 3. Press the ⋯ button
It is located at the top of the chosen person's profile page, to the right of the username. A small menu will appear.
Step 4. Choose the option Block this user
It is located at the bottom of the menu that appeared.
Step 5. Press the Lock button when prompted
In this way the indicated person will be added to the list of Instagram accounts that you have blocked.
Step 6. Unlock a previously blocked user
To unblock a user using the Instagram website, you need to go to their profile page and press the button Unlock located at the top of the window, then you will have to confirm your choice by pressing the button again Unlock when required.
Advice
- It may be advisable to activate the "private" mode of your Instagram account. In doing so, anyone who wants to view the contents of your profile will first have to send you a friend request.
- When you block a user using the Instagram mobile app, the person in question will also appear blocked when you connect to the social network using the official website. The same happens if you unlock a previously blocked user.
Warnings
- Users you've blocked will still be able to view the photos you post simply by creating or using a different Instagram profile.
- When you unblock a user you previously blocked and followed, remember that you will not automatically resume following them. This could lead the person under review to realize that they have been deleted from the list of Instagram profiles you follow and therefore it could be an indication that you have previously blocked them.
