How to make your Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and other social media accounts private

By Jeramy Johnson
published

Instagram Camera Mode on Note 10 Plus
Instagram Camera Mode on Note 10 Plus (Image credit: Android Central)

I've been using social media apps for well over a decade, and over that period, there have certainly been things that I've posted that I'm glad the whole world wasn't able to see. In fact, some accounts (like Instagram and TikTok) I permanently leave in private mode, so that only select people can see what I post. If you're interested in learning how to take your accounts private and protect your posts from the world's eyes, read on, dear friend.

How to make your Instagram account private

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Tap on your profile pic in the lower right corner.
  3. Tap on the menu (three lines) in the top right corner.
  4. Tap on Settings at the bottom of the menu.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Tap on Account Privacy.
  2. Toggle the Private Account slider on.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

How to make your Twitter account private

  1. Open the Twitter app.
  2. Tap on your profile pic to open the menu.
  3. Tap on Settings and privacy.
  4. Tap on Privacy and safety.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Tap on Protect your Tweets.
  2. Tap on Learn more to read what this entails.
  3. Tap on Photo tagging, and adjust the settings to Only people you can follow can tag your or Off as you are comfortable.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

How to make your TikTok account private

  1. Open the TikTok app.
  2. Tap on Me in the bottom right corner.
  3. Tap on the menu in the top right corner (three dots).
  4. Tap on Privacy and safety.
  5. Toggle the Private account slider on.
  6. Tap on the entries under the Safety section and adjust as you are comfortable.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Now all of your posts on these accounts will only be visible to your friends and followers.

Just remember that if you are using a hashtag in private mode, your posts will not be visible in the public feed. Only your friends and followers will be able to see your post on the hashtag page or feed.

Instagram App Icon

Instagram App Icon (Image credit: Google Play)

Instagram (opens in new tab) (Free at Google Play)

Still, our favorite social app, Instagram allows you to share images, videos, and stories with your followers. I've always had my "Insta" private, and enjoy it as much as anyone else.

Twitter Icon

Twitter Icon (Image credit: Twitter)

Twitter (opens in new tab) (Free at Google Play)

Twitter is the best place to follow breaking news and trends. Best of all — you can still follow all the hashtags even if you're in private mode.

TikTok logo

TikTok logo (Image credit: TikTok)

TikTok (opens in new tab) (Free at Google Play)

More than any other network, TikTok is the one I want to keep private (you'd thank me if you knew). You don't have to be a viral superstar to enjoy this app.

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Jeramy Johnson
Jeramy Johnson
Editor-in-chief

Jeramy is proud to help *Keep Austin Weird* and loves hiking in the hill country of central Texas with a breakfast taco in each hand. When he's not writing about smart home gadgets and wearables, he's defending his relationship with his smart voice assistants to his family. You can follow him on Twitter at @jeramyutgw.