How to block Instagram

It’s no secret how addictive social media apps like TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, can be. As one of the most popular social network apps, Instagram is full of content that can have you scrolling for hours.

If you’re interested in restricting your access to the Instagram app, you’ve come to the right place. There are many reasons why you might want to limit this social media app without deleting it. Whatever the case, this article will give you a few ideas on how to block Instagram.

What is Instagram?

Instagram is a video and photo-sharing app where you can post daily content, keep up with your mutuals, and even promote your online business. When you set up an Instagram profile, you have the option to make a public or private account.

Once you create your Instagram profile, you can follow whoever you want, post pictures and videos, and browse through the Explore page.

Keep in mind that you can only follow public accounts. If an account is private, you have to send a follow request. You can also post content on Instagram Stories and Reels and send direct messages to your friends.

Ways to block Instagram

Here are different ways you can block Instagram on various devices.

Set up parental controls on iPhone and iPad

You can set up parental controls on your iPhone and iPad to block inappropriate and explicit content on Instagram or block the entire app. This is how it’s done:

1. Open Settings on your iOS device.
2. Find “Screen Time.”
3. Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
4. Go to “Content Restrictions” and proceed to “Apps.”
5. Select “Don’t Allow Apps.”

Keep in mind that this method applies to all apps on your iOS device, not just Instagram.

Use Digital Wellbeing on Android

If you have an Android device, you can use the Digital Wellbeing app to set app limits. After you install the app, this is what you should do next:

1. Launch Digital Wellbeing.
2. Tap on “Dashboard.”
3. Find Instagram and tap on it.
4. Go to “Set App Timer” and enter a time limit.
5. Tap on the “OK” button.

If you set the timer for, let’s say, 30 minutes, and that time runs out, the Instagram app icon will become gray, and you won’t be able to tap on it.

Set up an app blocker

Another way to block this social media app is with an app blocker. One of the best apps you can use is Freedom. Once you download this app, this is how you can use it to restrict access to Instagram:

1. Open Freedom.
2. Tap on “Blocklists” at the bottom and choose “Add a Blocklist.”
3. Proceed to “Block apps.”
4. Find Instagram on the list of apps.
5. Tap on the “Start Session” option.
6. Determine the “Session Length.”
7. Select “Start.”

You won’t be able to use Instagram until the session expires. You can use Freedom on all your devices, including Windows and Mac computers.

Use Downtime Schedule on iPhone

Another way to block Instagram on your iPhone is to use the Downtown Schedule feature. Follow the steps below to see how it’s done:

1. Open Settings and go to “Screen Time.”
2. Click on the “Downtime” option.
3. Toggle the “Scheduled” switch.
4. Set a “from” and “to” time for the Downtime and choose “Every Day.”

Doing this doesn’t necessarily block Instagram. It just restricts your access to the app for a period of time.

Use host files on a Windows computer

If you’re using a Windows computer, you can block Instagram with your hosts file. It might sound slightly complicated, but if you follow these steps, you will be able to do it in five minutes:

1. Type in “Notepad” in the search bar in the bottom-left corner.
2. Run as administrator.
3. Copy and paste “c:windowssystem32drivers” into the file folder.
4. Find the “hosts” file and double-click on it.
5. Select “All Files (*.*)” in the bottom-right corner.
6. Type in "127.0.0.1 www.instagram.com” at the bottom.

Once you save the changes, you won’t be able to access the Instagram website on your Windows computer.

Set up a Group Policy on Windows computer

You can set up a Group Policy to block Instagram using a Windows computer. This is how it’s done:

1. Type in “gpedit” in the search bar on the menu.
2. Select “Local Group Policy Editor”
3. Follow this path: “User Configuration” > '“Policies” > “Windows Settings” > “Internet Explorer Maintenance” > “Security.”
4. Proceed to “Security Zones and Content Ratings” and then to “Import the current Content Ratings” settings.
5. Next to “Modify Settings,” choose “Approved Sites.”
6. Type in “www.instagram.com” in the field.
7. Choose “Never” next to “Allow this website.”

Speechify - The app you don’t want to block

Unlike social media apps that waste your time, Speechify is a productivity app you’ll never have to block.

Speechify is a text to speech app that translates digital text into spoken, natural-sounding language. You can use it to listen to any digital text while doing other things, boosting your productivity.

You can install Speechify on iPhone and Android devices or use it as a Chrome extension. Try Speechify for free today.

FAQ

How do I block my Instagram account?

Technically, you can’t block your own Instagram account. If you want to stop using this app, you can either temporarily disable your account or permanently delete it.

How can you block someone on Instagram without them knowing?

To block someone on Instagram, go to the user’s profile page and tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper-right corner. The “Block” option will be on the pop-up menu.

To unblock them, go to “Privacy” in the app’s settings and tap on “Blocked accounts.” Find the user and tap on the “Unblock” button.

What do people see when you block them on Instagram?

When you block someone on Instagram, they won’t be notified. However, if they tried to visit your profile, it wouldn’t appear in the search results.

What is the Instagram block list?

Instagram’s block list is a list of all the profiles you blocked. You can access it when you go to “Settings” and proceed to “Privacy.” You’ll find the “Blocked accounts” option at the bottom of the menu. You can go through the list of blocked users and unblock someone as needed.

What is the difference between blocking and unfollowing someone on Instagram?

When you follow someone on Instagram, they can still access your profile (unless it’s a private account). On the other hand, if you block them, your profile will become invisible to them.