How to Change an Instagram Profile From Private to Public?

How to Change an Instagram Profile From Private to Public?

When you make an Instagram profile to promote your business and relationship with your customers you may have opted for a private account. In fact, a lot of users sign up for a private account without knowing the difference between a private and a public account. 

Whenever you sign up on Instagram, you are given total control over how you want to show your profile to other people. If you want to keep your circle limited to your friends, family members, colleagues, and those people only home you know then you can make your Instagram profile private. However if you are planning to socialize with different people all around the world, make new friends, and promote your business, you need to have a public Instagram account. 

Difference between a private and public account 

A private Instagram account is meant for only those users who want to keep their details private and secure. Respect those people who want to engage with their friends and family members only. And their content is only accessible to those who are added to the account  

On the other hand, a public Instagram account is visible to everyone on the internet. All videos, images, and posts are public. Anyone on the internet can view an Instagram account without following them.   Every post that you share on your Instagram is made public when your account is public. So it is totally your choice to go for either a private or public account.

As a business, you should never opt for a private profile because it will limit your content to your followers only. If at any point in time you change your mind after signing up for a private account and wish to switch it to a public account then it is easy and possible. 


Deleting Private Details


It does not take much effort and time to switch your Instagram profile from private to public.  However, If you have some private data on your account that you don’t want to share with any follower or person online, make sure to delete it first before you make your profile public. 

For instance, if your profile contains your address, location, and personal phone numbers then you might want to remove everything from there.  

Once your profile is public, everything can be viewed by people who will come across your page through a random search or post or hashtag. You definitely don’t want any of your Instagram followers or internet users to bug you on your personal number, so it’d be better to delete any private data beforehand.


Switching Instagram account


There are just some settings that you need to make to switch your Instagram profile from a private account to a public account. Follow the steps mentioned below to switch your account.

Mobile app


If you are using Instagram on your mobile phone or app, follow the steps given below to switch your private profile to a public profile.
1: Click on the profile tab.
2: Tab on the gear icon located at the top upper of the Instagram page.
3: Click on “Privacy and security” and uncheck the “Private Account” box in the setting.
4: Hurray! Your Instagram account is no longer private.


Desktop or Laptop

If you want to change your private account into a public account from a desktop or laptop you need to follow the steps mentioned below.
1: Click on your Instagram profile image at the top of the page.
2: Click on the “ Settings” option by going through the hamburger sign. 
3: Tap on “Privacy” and you will have to uncheck the “Private Account” option to make your account public.

You can always switch between a private and public account depending on your preference. If you feel like you don’t want to keep your account public for security reasons you can go to the settings and make it private.