How to Unrestrict Someone on Instagram (3 Ways)

Restricting is the gentle option. You didn't want to block someone, so you quietly dialled down what they can do. Then the situation changes. Maybe it was a customer who had a bad week, a relative you've made up with, or a colleague whose comments you'd rather see again. Now you want things back to normal.

Instagram gives you three routes to unrestrict, and they all live in one Help Centre article. I'll go through each, then explain what changes for chats and comments once you've done it.

What restricting someone on Instagram did in the first place

It helps to remember what you're undoing. According to Instagram's help page, when you restrict an account:

• They can't see when you're online or whether you've opened their messages.
• Their new comments on your posts are only visible to them, unless you approve a comment.
• You don't get notifications for their future comments.
• Your chat with them moves from your main Direct inbox to Message Requests, and new messages from them go there too.

Unrestricting is meant to put these back to normal, though the help page words it as an action rather than a list of results. Keep that in mind for the later sections, where I'll be careful not to promise more than the page does.

Unrestricting someone through Instagram settings

This is the route I'd use if you can't remember the username, or if you want to see everyone you've restricted. Instagram's steps for the iPhone and Android apps are:

1. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile.
2. Tap Menu in the top right.
3. Below How others can interact with you, tap Restricted.
4. Tap Next.
5. Find the account and tap Unrestrict next to their username.

The same screen shows the accounts you've restricted, so it also works as a quick audit. Menu labels can shift between app versions, so look for the word Restricted if the layout looks different.

Unrestricting someone from their Instagram profile

If you already have their profile open, this is the shortest path:

1. Tap their username from your Feed, or tap Search and type their username to reach their profile.
2. Tap Options in the top right.
3. Tap Unrestrict.

Instagram adds one note for the Lite app on Android: you can only restrict someone through their profile there, so the profile route is the one to use if that's your version.

Unrestricting someone through a comment on Instagram

This one is handy when a restricted person has commented on your post and you've decided you're happy to hear from them again.

1. Go to your post and tap Comments to view the comments.
2. Tap and hold the comment.
3. Tap Unrestrict account.

The same menu offers Restrict account when you're dealing with someone who isn't restricted, so make sure you pick the right one. Instagram's page also notes that if a restricted person comments, you can tap See comment to read it, then Approve to show it to others, or Delete.

What happens to chats after you unrestrict on Instagram

Here's where I need to be careful. Instagram's help explains that restricting moves your chat into Message Requests. It also says you can read a restricted person's message without them knowing you've seen it. What it doesn't spell out is exactly where an existing chat ends up after you unrestrict, or whether older messages move back.

So my honest advice is to check, not assume. After unrestricting, look at your main Direct inbox and also at Message Requests. If an old chat is still sitting in Message Requests, you can open it from there, and new messages are the best test of where things go from now on.

Will they know you unrestricted them on Instagram?

Instagram's help page doesn't describe any message or notice sent to the other person when you restrict or unrestrict. The whole idea of restricting is that it's low-key, and nothing in the article contradicts that. That said, someone who's paying attention might notice small changes, such as seeing when you're online again, but that's my own reasoning rather than anything Instagram states.

Restrict, block or mute: picking the right Instagram control

Option	What it does, per Instagram's help pages
Restrict	Hides your online status and read receipts from them, limits who sees their comments, moves chats to Message Requests
Mute	Hides their posts or silences their chat while you stay connected, and Instagram says they aren't told
Block	A stronger step. See Instagram's block and unblock article

If you're deciding between controls after a messy exchange, it's worth reading my piece on what happens to messages when you block someone on Instagram. And if comments are the issue, pinning a comment is a smaller tool that can steer a conversation.

If you can't find the Restricted option on Instagram

• Update the Instagram app, then reopen it.
• Look under How others can interact with you in your Menu, not in your general settings list.
• If you use the Lite app, go through their profile instead.
• Check you're on the right account. If you manage more than one, switch first.
• If the Unrestrict button does nothing, close the app fully, reopen it and try again.
• If it still fails, report it via Profile, Menu, Help, Report a Problem.

When unrestricting someone on Instagram isn't the right call

If the person was harassing you, restricting may have been a stepping stone, not a stage to reverse. Instagram has reporting tools for abusive behaviour, and if you feel in danger, contact the police. You can always restrict them again later, since the same screens work in reverse.

Frequently asked questions

How do I unrestrict someone on Instagram?

Go to Menu on your profile, tap Restricted under How others can interact with you, tap Next, then tap Unrestrict next to their name. You can also use their profile Options or a comment they left.

Will they know if I unrestrict them?

Instagram's help page doesn't describe any notice to the other person when you restrict or unrestrict, so nothing suggests one is sent.

Where do my restricted chats go?

Instagram says a chat with a restricted person moves to Message Requests. Check both your main inbox and Message Requests after you unrestrict.

Can I see everyone I've restricted?

Yes. Instagram's Restricted screen under Menu shows the accounts you've restricted, and you can unrestrict from there.

Is restricting the same as blocking?

No. Restricting limits what the person can see and do quietly, while blocking is a stronger step with its own help article.