3 Effective Methods to Unrestrict Someone on Instagram

ByJim Miller

Restricting someone on Instagram is a convenient way to avoid contact without resorting to the extreme measure of blocking them. And the good news is, unrestricting someone is just as easy. The best part? The other person won't even know if you restrict or unrestrict them. So, if you've restricted someone and want to learn how to unrestrict them on Instagram, you've come to the right place. In this article, we'll explore three simple methods to unrestrict an Instagram user. Let's dive in!

Unrestricting an Account on Instagram

Method 1: Unrestrict Someone from Their Profile

  1. Search for the profile of the person you want to unrestrict.
  2. Usually, you'll see a message saying “You have restricted XYZ” when you open their profile. Tap on “Unrestrict” to remove them from the restrict list.
  3. If you don't see the message, tap on the three-dot icon at the top and select “Unrestrict” from the menu.

Method 2: Unrestrict Multiple People

If you want to view the restricted list and unrestrict multiple Instagram users, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the Instagram app on your Android phone or iPhone.
  2. Go to your profile screen by tapping on the profile picture icon at the bottom.
  3. Tap on the three-bar icon and select “Settings” from the menu.
  4. Scroll down and tap on “Privacy”.
  5. Go to “Restricted accounts”.
  6. You will see a list of all the accounts you have restricted. Look for the account you want to unrestrict and tap on the “Unrestrict” button next to their name.

Method 3: Unrestrict Messages on Instagram

  1. In the Instagram mobile apps, tap on the Messenger symbol at the top to open Direct messages.
  2. Open the chat thread of the person you want to unrestrict. You may not find it directly in the chat list as Instagram moves the chat thread to the Requests folder when you restrict a user. So, tap on the “Requests” option at the top and search for the chat thread.
  3. You will see the message “You have restricted XYZ”. Tap on “Unrestrict”.
    Alternatively, tap on the contact's name at the top and hit the Unrestrict button on the next screen.

Note: When you unrestrict someone from messages, their entire profile will be unrestricted and not just limited to messages.

What Happens When You Unrestrict Someone on Instagram?

When you unrestrict an Instagram user, they will regain normal access and privileges that other users have. Here's what happens:

  • The person can comment freely on your profile, and the comments will be publicly visible to everyone.
  • The user can see your online status on Instagram.
  • The user can see if you've read their messages or not.
  • You will be notified when they comment on your posts.
  • Instagram won't notify the other person when you unrestrict them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How to Fix Cannot Unrestrict Someone on Instagram

If you encounter an error like “Something went wrong” or are unable to unrestrict a user, try logging out from your Instagram account. If that doesn't work, clear the cache for the Instagram Android app by going to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Storage > Clear cache.

2. How Do You Know If Someone Restricted You on Instagram?

There is no direct or foolproof way to know if someone has restricted you on Instagram. However, you can ask a mutual friend to check if your newer comments appear on the person's profile. If your comments are missing, there's a chance that the user has restricted you. Additionally, if the online status is absent from the person's profile, it may also indicate that they have restricted you.

Avoiding Unwanted Contact on Instagram

Using the restrict on Instagram feature is just one method of preventing contact with someone on Instagram. You can also block a user, turn off messages, mute someone, or limit a user. If, however, you find that Instagram isn't the right platform for you, you can temporarily deactivate your account. Remember, it's essential to maintain a safe and comfortable online experience.