How to Find an IP Address from an Instagram Account?
Instagram is right in its own place that no one should be given the authority to check another person's IP address just by reaching out to their account, but it also limits the possibility of finding an abuser or harasser. But every problem has a solution, right? Here, we'll explore how to find an IP address of an Instagram account with 4 optimal methods.
How an Instagram IP address Can Help?
An Instagram IP address can provide useful information in certain contexts, primarily related to user identification and security. Let's discuss some scenarios where an Instagram IP address can help you:
1. Identifying Location
The first thing or factor that helps find an online scammer or harasser is to know their location. An IP address doesn't promise the exact house/apartment address, but what they do is enough to find any online fraudster. You can easily see the city and country of residence of that person with the help of an IP address.
2. Protect Your Account from Theft
If you're unsure whether your Instagram account has been accessed on an unknown device or if someone has stolen your password, you can review the recent login activity to check for unauthorized access. This feature shows where your account has been logged in. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1. On your Instagram account, tap the 'three-line icon' at the topic right corner and select 'Settings and privacy.'
Step 2. Tap 'Account Center' and choose 'Password and security.'
Step 3. Tap 'Where you're logged in.'
Step 4. As you can see in the image below, the mobile information of the logged-in account will appear. By clicking on it further, you'll be able to find the location details too.
Step 5. If you want proper updates of logged-in account history, you need to click on the ‘Login Alerts' option.
Step 6. The account name will appear and you'll get updates whenever someone tries to log in to your account.
Location address will help you identify who is trying to risk your accounts' privacy. You can easily remove the unknown logged-in accounts by clicking on the select and delete option.
3. Find out Who Is Harassing You
If someone is harassing you on Instagram and you don't know who they are, you won't be able to see their IP address, as Instagram doesn't provide this information to users.
If you're dealing with harassment, report the user to Instagram. If the situation escalates to a serious threat to your safety, contact the authorities. They can legally request Instagram to provide the IP address tied to the harasser's account to help identify them.
Does Instagram Provides IP Look Up Features?
No, Instagram does not provide IP lookup features to its users. The platform prioritizes user privacy and does not disclose IP address information.
If there are concerns about harassment or other security issue, you can contact Instagram Help Center, or, in more severe cases, law enforcement, who can then request such information through the proper legal channels.
4 Methods to Find the IP address of an Instagram Account
Here we have four methods to find an IP address from an Instagram account easily, Of course, while staying within legal boundaries. Since Instagram itself does not provide any way to check IP addresses, the mentioned ways involve the usage of third-party tools/apps.
1Through IP Lookup Website
The IP lookup website, "What Is My IP Address," is a popular website that provides information about your current IP address. The site offers tools, such as IP lookup, to find out details about an IP address's geographic location, etc.
This is the most consensual way to check someone's IP address. How?
All you have to do is send them the "What Is My IP Address" link while chatting on Instagram and have them open the link and take a screenshot for you. And you'll see the IP address information like the image below:
This is the most ethical way to check someone's IP cause both parties are aware of and have agreed to it. This approach is best used among family or friends, with everyone's consent.
However, the downside is that it isn't helpful for tracking the IP addresses of hackers or online bullies.
2Through IP Logger
IP logger websites can record the IP addresses of people who click on a specific link. These links can be shared via email, social media, or other platforms. Once someone clicks, their IP address is logged.
This method is not as consensual as the 1st one since you don't have the target person on Instagram send the screenshot. When they click the link, you receive their IP details.
Since this way is less consensual, use it only with permission, unless you're investigating a suspicious hacker.
Here, we'll take a trusted IP logger website, Grabify, as an example to show you how to use it:
Step 1. Open Grabify and enter any URL to shorten and track.
Step 2. Share the generated link with the target person on Instagram and have them click it. At this point, don't close the Grabify site.
Step 3. Once they click the link, their IP address will appear on the Grabify site. If it doesn't, refresh the page.
Note: We share this method simply as a way to find an IP address, not to invade privacy. While these tools can be useful, we don't recommend tracking people without their consent.
3Through AirDroid Location Tracker
Let's go to another scenario: imagine you're a parent who discovers your child has shared an Instagram post with an unusual location. You might want to verify this. While you could ask them directly, kids might not be truthful sometimes.
In such cases, you can use a parental control app, like AirDroid Parental Control, to check their real location. Although these apps won't show the IP address, they will provide accurate location details.
Here's how to do it:
Step 1. Install AirDroid Parental Control on your phone and AirDroid Kids on your child's phone, then link them.
Step 2. Open AirDroid Parental Control and tap the location button at the bottom to view your child's real-time location.
4Contact Instagram Support/ Law Enforcement
Although Instagram doesn't entertain letting people see each other's IP address, but if things have become out of hand and you're feeling helpless because of any cyber crime, harassment, or bullying case, you can contact the Instagram support team, and they'll do their best to cooperate with you and share the related IP address details if it's so crucial.
Myth Busting: Do These Methods Really Work?
During our investigation, we found that many methods mentioned in blogs for viewing someone's Instagram IP address are actually ineffective. Therefore, we've decided to include this clarification to help readers avoid being misled.
1iStaunch Instagram Location Tracker
One tool often mentioned in blogs as a way to find someone's IP address is the iStaunch Instagram Location Tracker. However, our test shows that this tool doesn't exist. There is no direct link to it in Google search results.
All we found were recommendations from various blogs, but no actual link to the tool itself. It's unclear whether this service has been discontinued or disappeared for some other reason, but our investigation indicates it is not available.
2Use Command Prompt
Another often method mentioned by various blogs is using the Command Prompt. However, our tests found that this approach does not record someone else's real IP address.
We followed tutorials suggesting the 'netstat -an' command in Command Prompt, but it didn't reveal anyone's IP address as claimed. Our test shows that 'netstat -an' only lists current open connections on your device. It doesn't provide a history of visited services or websites, nor does it log someone else's IP address.
Additionally, Instagram uses centralized servers to connect users, ensuring privacy. This means interactions on Instagram are routed through their servers, not directly between users. Even if one were to obtain an IP address, it would typically only reveal the general area associated with the ISP, not the user’s exact physical location.
Limitations and Legal Considerations
While checking someone's IP address by using a third-party tool, you must have to keep in mind 2 things:
- Don't intrude in someone's privacy without their knowledge unless it's necessary. It's legally fine to seek a scammer's IPinformation, but checking a random person's IPis against the law and can lead to strong consequences.
- Don't trust all the third-party tools. Most of the tools lead you towards harmful and shady sites that can either harm your device or can scam you in any way possible. So be aware of sites like that and only use the tools that are highly reputable and have a good rating.
Conclusion
Now you have four methods on how to find an Instagram account IP address. These methods are more secure, safe, and reliable than you can ever find.
If someone is troubling you on Instagram, you must first report Instagram's official channels through the help center, if it doesn't help, you can follow the mentioned methods and seek your troublers' info secretly.
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