Getting Unwanted Calls and DMs on Instagram? Change These Privacy Settings to Control Them

Constant calls and direct messages from unknown people can make using Instagram frustrating. If strangers or unwanted accounts frequently try to contact you, you don't necessarily have to tolerate every incoming request. Instagram provides several privacy controls that can help you decide who can message or contact you.

By adjusting your message, call and privacy settings, you can reduce unwanted interactions and gain more control over your Instagram experience. You can also use features such as Block and Restrict when a particular account repeatedly bothers you.

Here's how these options can help.

How to Control Unwanted Calls on Instagram

If you're receiving unwanted calls through Instagram, start by checking the communication and privacy options available on your account.

Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture to go to your Profile.

Next, tap the three-line menu in the upper-right corner and open Settings and Activity.

Look for the section related to Messages and Story Replies. Depending on the version of Instagram installed on your phone, you may find options associated with calls or calling privacy within the relevant communication settings.

Review the choices available for your account and limit calls from unknown users or people you don't want contacting you.

The exact options may vary depending on your account type, region and Instagram app version.

Stop Unwanted Instagram Message Requests

Calls aren't the only issue. Many users also receive unwanted DMs or message requests from people they don't know.

Instagram provides controls that can help determine how messages from different groups of users are handled.

To review these settings, open Instagram and go to Settings and Activity.

From there, find Messages and Story Replies and look for the controls associated with Message Requests.

Depending on the options available to your account, you may be able to decide whether messages from certain groups should appear as requests or whether you want to limit receiving them.

This can help prevent your Instagram inbox from becoming crowded with unwanted conversations.

Decide Who Can Send You Message Requests

Instagram's message controls can be particularly useful because not everyone who tries to contact you needs to have the same level of access.

For example, the app may separate users into different categories based on whether you follow them, whether they follow you or whether there is another connection between your accounts.

Review each available category carefully and choose the setting that best matches your privacy preferences.

If you frequently receive messages from unfamiliar accounts, tightening these controls can make your inbox easier to manage.

Use Block When Someone Keeps Contacting You

Privacy settings can reduce unwanted contact in general, but sometimes the problem involves one particular account.

If a specific person repeatedly sends unwanted messages or otherwise bothers you, you can consider using Instagram's Block feature.

Open that person's Instagram profile and access the available account options. Select Block and follow the on-screen instructions.

Blocking is a stronger privacy measure designed to prevent that account from interacting with you normally through Instagram.

It can be useful when you don't want further communication from a particular user.

Don't Want to Block Someone? Try Restrict

There may be situations where blocking feels too strong, particularly if you know the person but want to limit their interactions with you.

Instagram's Restrict feature can provide another option.

Go to the person's profile and look for Restrict in the available menu.

Restricting an account can limit how its interactions appear to you without necessarily using the more direct approach of blocking.

This makes the feature useful when you want more control over communication while keeping the account restricted rather than completely blocked.

Block and Restrict Are Not the Same

Although both tools can help manage unwanted interactions, they are designed for different situations.

Block is the stronger option when you want to prevent an account from contacting or interacting with you in the usual way.

Restrict, meanwhile, is useful when you want to reduce or control someone's interactions without necessarily blocking the account outright.

Which option you choose will depend on the situation and how much contact you want to prevent.

Review Your Instagram Privacy Settings Regularly

Privacy settings are worth checking periodically, even if unwanted messages are not currently a major problem.

Instagram can update its interface, privacy controls and feature names over time. As a result, a setting that appears in one location today may be moved or renamed in a future app update.

If you cannot find a particular option using the steps above, check the privacy, messages or communication sections available in your current version of the Instagram app.

Keeping the app updated may also help ensure that you have access to the latest privacy and security controls available for your account.

Avoid Third-Party Apps That Ask for Your Instagram Password

While trying to stop spam calls or messages, users may come across third-party apps or websites claiming they can provide additional Instagram privacy features.

Be cautious with such services.

You should avoid sharing your Instagram password, login credentials or other sensitive account information with unknown third-party apps.

Instead, use the privacy and security controls available directly within Instagram whenever possible.

Take More Control of Your Instagram Inbox

You don't necessarily have to keep dealing with repeated calls and DMs from strangers.

Start by reviewing the Messages and Story Replies section and adjusting the available controls for calls and message requests. If one particular user continues to bother you, consider using Restrict or Block, depending on the level of protection you need.

Because Instagram's menus can change with app updates, some option names and locations may look slightly different on your phone.

Spending a few minutes reviewing these privacy settings can help reduce unwanted interactions and give you greater control over who is able to contact you on Instagram.