How to Find Instagram by Phone Number

Okay, we’ve all been there. You’ve met someone last night and got their number but don’t know how to find their Instagram profile? Or maybe you have a phone number of a person that you already know and want to see their Instagram account to find out more about their social life? Where do you start?

Sounds like a super straightforward and legit feature yet Instagram does not allow users to search for accounts via phone number for privacy reasons. So are there any options?

Luckily, the answer is yes.

Find Instagram by Phone Number

There are multiple methods of finding an Instagram username using a phone number and today we will cover them in this post. Just make sure you have the correct phone number in the first place as a simple typo can lead to incorrect search results.

Before we start, there are some constraints that you should know about which may prevent you from finding the right Instagram account:

• The person didn’t link their account to a mobile number
• The account may be connected to a phone number that you don’t know
• The profile may use a random picture instead of a photo and you won’t know which account you’re looking for
• The profile may use a nickname or an alternative name and not display the name of the person as you know it

Nevertheless, your chances of finding the right person are still pretty high!

Let’s dive right in.

1. Request a Connection (The Push)

This method is based on an invitation of a person to connect with you on Instagram. This is the most straightforward way to indicate to a person that you want to befriend them on Instagram.

Pros:

• The person will be notified by Instagram that you seek to connect with them which adds a layer of authority, transparency, and trust to the process
• The person will be responsible for accepting that invitation and sharing their Instagram account with you
• They will use an alternative account if they prefer it to the one attached to the known phone number

Cons:

• This won’t work well if you want to check out their profile discreetly
• Your request may come across as “pushy” and not very subtle if you don’t know the person that well
• They may decide not to add you and ignore the connection request (or simply not read the message)

Below is a step by step guide on how to use this method.

Step 1 – Open Instagram Settings

Open the Instagram app on your device and make sure you’re logged in. If you’re not logged in yet, enter your username and password to access your account. Once logged in, open settings by pressing on the hamburger menu on the top right corner of the screen.

Step 2 – Follow and Invite Friends

Scroll down and press “Follow and invite friends”.

Step 3 – Select Invitation Method

Choose and select an invitation method (WhatsApp, SMS, Email, or other).

Step 4 – Send Out Invite

Send out the invite to the person’s phone number using the selected invitation method.

Step 5 – Wait

Patiently wait for the person to respond by accepting the invitation to connect with you on Instagram. This is by far the hardest step in the process.

2. Discover Linked Contacts (The Pull)

If you don’t want to wait until the other person accepts your request to connect (if ever) or want to view their profile more discreetly then this method is for you. It is based on “discovering” suggested contacts but with only one contact on your phone.

Pros:

• The person will not be notified that you search their Instagram account
• You can view their profile discreetly (as long as the profile is not private)
• You can choose to connect at any given time and there is no obligation to do so

Cons:

• This method is a bit more tricky and requires you to remove all contacts temporarily
• There is no guarantee that you will find the needed profile (as per the mentioned constraints in the beginning of the post)
• It may take time for Instagram to “suggest” the person in your contacts

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1 – Erase All Contacts

Make a copy of all your contacts in the phone book and erase them all except for the number of the person that you’re looking for. Alternatively, use a new phone which does not have any contacts yet and save this person’s phone number.

Step 2 – Create New Account

Create a new Instagram account which is not linked to your primary account. You will need to log out of your account and empty the cache of the Instagram app.

To clear the cache on Android:

1. Open Settings on your Android device
2. Go to Apps or Applications
3. Find and select Instagram
4. Tap on Storage
5. Select Clear Cache

To clear the cache on iOS:

1. Press and hold the Instagram app on your home screen until it jiggles
2. Tap the x or minus icon to delete the app
3. Confirm the deletion
4. Go to the App Store, search for Instagram, and reinstall it

Step 3 – Allow Contact Access

Once you’ve created a new account, make sure to enable access to contacts for the Instagram app so that it can view your saved phone numbers to make connection recommendations.

Tip: You should skip Facebook sync to ensure that you don’t get unnecessary suggestions for your new profile.

Step 4 – Complete Sign Up

Complete the sign up process so that you get access to view your newly created profile.

You may already see some recommendations at this point on your profile page. Click “See All” to view the person that is recommended – this will be the person from your phone book!

Step 5 – View Instagram Feed

Alternatively, go to your Instagram feed and locate the section with friend suggestions. The first person in “Suggested for you” will generally be the person whose phone number you have added to your contacts in the phone book.

Step 6 – Verification

You can verify that this account belongs to the phone number by comparing the last 2 digits of the phone number with the stored phone number for password recovery.

To verify the account:

1. Write down the username of the suggested account
2. Select the option of adding a new Instagram account
3. Choose Log In to Existing Account
4. Press Forgotten Password
5. Input the username
6. Compare the last 2 digits of the phone number

If the last two digits of the phone number correspond to the phone number that you have – congratulations! You’ve just found the person’s Instagram profile with 99.99% probability.

3. Alternatives

If the previous two methods didn’t work or you’re considering trying something different, there are alternative methods which can also help.

a. Search Manually Using the Search Bar

If syncing contacts didn’t work, you can try searching manually. Although this method is less direct, it can sometimes yield results:

1. Open the Instagram App: Launch the app on your mobile device
2. Go to the Search Bar: Tap on the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen
3. Enter the Phone Number: Type the phone number into the search bar. If the person has linked their phone number to their Instagram account and their privacy settings allow it, their profile may appear in the search results

b. Simply Ask Around

If you still can’t find the person, consider reaching out to them directly to ask for their Instagram handle. What’s the worst that can happen? Additionally, you might find their account by searching for their name, username, or mutual connections on the platform.

c. Gather More Data

Ok, so I know that we started this post with “if you only know the phone number” but you don’t need to limit yourself to just this – having the person’s phone number allows you to gain a wealth of other information on this person which may aid in your instagram account investigation.

You can run an online background check on a person using their phone number to gain some additional information, such as:

• Their age and date of birth
• Alternative names and AKAs
• Family members and related people
• Full list of phone numbers and emails
• Addresses and past locations
• Marital status and marriage history
• Criminal records and judgments

Using this information you can expand your Instagram search by trying other phone numbers associated with this person or using the additional information to narrow down your search.

To run an online background check:

1. Open Names and Facts
2. Type in the name of the person
3. Narrow down the results using filters (such as age, state, phone number)
4. View their profile
5. Log In or Sign Up to a membership (starting from $5.95)
6. Get the full report with background check information

Hope this helps!

Privacy Disclaimer

It’s essential to respect privacy when trying to find someone on social media. Not everyone wants to be found via their phone number, and Instagram’s privacy settings allow users to prevent this type of search. If you can’t find someone, it might be because they have chosen to keep their account private or have not linked their phone number to their profile.

Conclusion

Finding someone’s Instagram profile using their phone number can be a useful way to connect or learn more about them, but it requires a thoughtful approach. Whether you choose to request a connection, discover linked contacts, or use other alternative methods, it’s important to remember the limitations and privacy concerns involved. Respecting the other person’s privacy is crucial, and if your attempts are unsuccessful, consider simply asking them directly for their Instagram handle. This direct approach can often be the most respectful and straightforward way to connect. Happy searching!

FAQ:

Why can’t I search for Instagram profiles directly using a phone number?

Instagram does not allow users to search for profiles by phone number to protect user privacy. This restriction helps prevent unwanted contact and potential privacy invasions.

What should I do if the person I’m looking for has not linked their phone number to their Instagram account?

If the person hasn’t linked their phone number to their Instagram account, you can try other methods such as searching for their name, username, or mutual connections. Alternatively, you can ask them directly for their Instagram handle.

Is there a way to find someone’s Instagram profile without them knowing?

Yes, using the “Discover Linked Contacts” method allows you to search for someone’s profile discreetly. However, this method has its limitations and may not always yield the desired results.

What are the privacy considerations I should be aware of when searching for someone’s Instagram profile?

It’s important to respect the person’s privacy and understand that not everyone wants their Instagram profile to be easily found. If you can’t find someone, it could be because they have chosen to keep their profile private or unlinked from their phone number.

Can I use third-party services to find someone’s Instagram account using their phone number?

Yes, you can run an online background check through Names and Facts which will provide you with valuable data that can help you in your search. Additional data could be used to supplement the known phone number to find the Instagram profile easier.