Restrict or unrestrict someone on Instagram

Use Restrict when you want to limit how an account interacts with you without blocking it. Instagram does not send notifications for that person’s future comments; only they initially see those comments. Their messages move to Requests, and they cannot see whether you are online or have read their messages.

Restrict someone from their profile

1. Open the person’s profile in the Instagram app.
2. Tap Options in the top right.
3. Tap Restrict. If the app asks you to confirm, check the username and confirm.

Then check your restricted accounts list to make sure you chose the right person.

You can also open Profile → Menu → Restricted → Next, search for the account, and tap Restrict. To undo the change, tap Unrestrict next to their name. Labels may be translated in your app.

What changes for comments and messages

When the person comments on one of your posts, their new comment is initially visible only to them. You can tap See comment to read it, then approve it, delete it, or leave it unapproved. Instagram says you will not receive notifications for their future comments.

New messages go to Message Requests. You can read them without the person seeing that you have read them or when you are online. If you are in a group chat with the person, Instagram warns you before showing their messages; you can stay or leave the group. If a request you expected is missing, follow what to check when Instagram message requests are not showing.

Fictional example

A shop keeps receiving comments from one account and wants to review them before other people see them. Its community manager opens the profile, checks the username, and taps Restrict. They then find the account in Restricted. If they change their mind, they remove it from the list with Unrestrict. This is an illustrative example, not an observed result.

When you need a different control

Restrict is not the same as blocking and does not guarantee that someone cannot contact you through other routes. If you want to cut off contact or report harassment, review Instagram’s blocking and safety options and the blocking help linked there.

Check the name in Restricted after restricting or unrestricting someone. If the option is missing, confirm that you opened the right profile; Instagram Lite only supports restricting someone from their profile. Instagram Help also documents routes through messages and comments: Restrict or unrestrict someone.

To manage your account’s activity indicator, follow how to turn off your Instagram activity status.

If instead of one person you want to temporarily hold back comments and messages from groups of accounts, such as recent followers or accounts that don’t follow you, see how to turn Instagram Limits on or off.