It is not possible to directly see photos on a private Instagram account without following them and being accepted. Instagram's privacy settings prevent non-followers from viewing posts, stories, and reels on private profiles
. Here are the main legitimate options to view private Instagram photos:
- Send a follow request: This is the most straightforward and ethical way. If the account owner accepts your request, you can see their photos and other content
- Create a new Instagram account: You can make a secondary or fake account without linking it to your identity and send a follow request from there. This may increase your chances of being accepted if your main account is not accepted. However, this still requires approval from the private account owner
- Ask a mutual friend: If you have a friend who already follows the private account, you can ask them to show you the photos or send screenshots
Regarding third-party tools or websites claiming to let you view private Instagram accounts without following, these are generally scams or have significant security risks. Most such tools only work with public accounts or archived content and cannot access private photos
. In summary, the only reliable and ethical way to see private Instagram photos is to follow the account and be accepted or to view them through someone who already follows that account. Any other method either violates Instagram’s terms of service or is ineffective
