Updated on November 10, 2026.
To hide a photo you posted on Instagram, open the post, tap its three-dot menu, and choose Archive. The post disappears from your profile and you can bring it back later with its likes and comments. If someone else posted the photo and tagged you, use the option to hide it from your profile instead.
Choose the right option for the photo
| What you want to hide | What to do | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| A post you shared | Archive it. | Only you can see it in your archive until you restore it. |
| A post someone else tagged you in | Hide it from your profile. | It disappears from your tagged tab. The original post stays with its author. |
| A post you want to remove | Delete it. | It goes to Recently Deleted for a limited time. Use Archive if you may want it back later. |
Archive one or more Instagram posts
- In the Instagram app, tap your profile picture and open the photo or carousel you want to hide.
- Tap the three dots on the post and choose Archive. Confirm if Instagram asks.
- Return to your profile grid to make sure the post is gone.
To hide several photos, open the menu on your profile and look under Your activity for Posts. If the list offers Select and Archive, select the posts and archive them together. You can always archive them individually from their menus.
Find archived photos and put them back
- Open your profile and tap the menu in the top corner.
- Open Archive. Use the selector at the top to switch to Posts archive if you see Stories or Live videos.
- Open the post, tap its three-dot menu, and choose Show on profile.
The post goes back into the grid according to its original posting date. If it was posted years ago, scroll back to that part of your profile to check. If you deleted the post instead, follow our guide to recovering deleted Instagram posts.
Hide a photo you’re tagged in
Open the tagged posts tab on your profile and select the photo. Open the post’s menu and look for Tag options > Hide from my profile. You can also tap your username in the tag to find the option on some app versions. People who can see the original post can still see it on the author’s account.
Frequently asked questions
Does archiving an Instagram photo remove its likes and comments?
Archiving keeps the original post, including its likes and comments. When you choose Show on profile, those interactions return with the post.
Will an unarchived post appear at the top of my profile?
Instagram restores the post to its original place in the grid. Look around the date you first shared it.
Why can’t I find my archived photos?
Make sure you’re signed in to the account that published them and that Posts archive is selected. If you deleted the photos, check Your activity > Recently deleted.
Does archiving make a new copy of my photo or video?
Instagram hides the post you already shared. Showing it again returns that same post to your profile. Keep your original photo or video file separately if you need a full-quality copy.