Updated for 2026 · Last checked February 2026 · Reviewed by LikeProvider Social Media Team
Quick Answer
How to hide likes on Instagram: Open Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts). Turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts so others don’t see like or view counts on your posts and reels. Optionally, turn on Hide like and view counts on other people's posts so you don’t see counts when you browse. Both apply to posts and reels. Updated for 2026.
Steps at a glance:
- Profile → Menu (☰) → Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts.
- Hide like and view counts on your posts — On = others won’t see likes/views on your content.
- Hide like and view counts on other people's posts — On = you won’t see counts in your feed (optional).
Related: Hide Followers · Close Friends · Archive vs Delete
How to Hide Likes on Instagram (Posts & Reels) – Step-by-Step 2026
How to hide likes on Instagram: step-by-step for posts and reels. Hide like counts on your content or others'. Updated 2026.
This guide shows you how to hide likes on Instagram for both posts and reels—step by step, with simple language so everyone can follow. We cover the exact path (Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts), what each toggle does, why people hide likes, what to do if you can’t find the setting, and how to turn counts back on. For more privacy, see our Hide Followers, Close Friends, and Archive vs Delete.
What It Means to Hide Likes on Instagram
Hiding likes on Instagram means turning off the visible like count (and usually the view count) on posts and reels. Instagram gives you two separate toggles: (1) Hide like and view counts on your posts — so other people don’t see how many likes or views your posts and reels have; (2) Hide like and view counts on other people's posts — so when you scroll your feed, you don’t see like or view counts on anyone else’s content. You can use one, both, or neither. The setting applies to both posts and reels; there is no separate control for reels only. For more privacy, see our how to hide followers on Instagram and Close Friends.
Why Hide Likes on Instagram?
People search for how to hide likes on Instagram for many reasons. Knowing why helps you decide if hiding like counts is right for you.
- Less pressure and comparison — Visible like counts can make you or others focus on numbers instead of content. Hiding likes on your posts reduces the “how many likes did I get?” feeling; hiding likes on others’ posts can make your feed feel calmer.
- Privacy — You may not want strangers or certain people to see how popular your posts are. Hiding like and view counts on your posts keeps that information private while you still see your own insights if you use professional tools.
- Mental health — For some users, constantly seeing like counts (on their own or others’ content) affects wellbeing. Turning them off is one way to use Instagram with less focus on metrics.
- Focus on content — Creators sometimes hide likes so followers engage with the post itself, not the number. You can still see your own performance in Instagram Insights.
You can hide likes on Instagram for your content only, for others’ content only, or both. You can also turn counts back on anytime—see the Quick Reference section below. For more control over who sees your profile, see our Hide Followers guide.
How to Hide Likes on Your Posts & Reels (Step-by-Step)
Below we explain exactly how to hide likes on Instagram for your own posts and reels. We use simple language so anyone can follow. The same path works on iPhone and Android; only the look of the menus can differ a little. Menu names may also vary by app version (e.g. “Like and share counts” instead of “Posts”). Take your time—you can pause after each step.
Step 1
Open the Instagram app and go to your profile
Open the Instagram app on your phone (tap the Instagram icon like you normally do). At the bottom of the screen you’ll see several icons: Home, Search, Create, Reels, and Profile. The Profile icon is usually the last one on the right and shows your profile picture or a person icon. Tap Profile. You’ll now see your own profile page with your photo, username, and your posts.
Step 2
Open the menu and tap Settings and privacy
At the top right of your profile page you’ll see a Menu button. It looks like three horizontal lines (☰), one above the other. Tap that menu icon. A list of options will open (Settings and privacy, Your activity, Archive, etc.). In that list, find and tap Settings and privacy. This is where all account and privacy options live—not in your profile edit screen.
Step 3
Go to Privacy, then Posts (or Like and share counts)
Inside Settings and privacy, scroll or look for Privacy. Tap it. You’ll see a list of privacy-related options (Who can see your content, How others can interact with you, etc.). Look for Posts or Like and share counts—the exact name can vary. On some versions it’s under “Who can see your content” or similar. Tap Posts (or Like and share counts). You’ll now see the toggles that control like and view counts on your content and on others’ content.
Step 4
Turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts
Find the option that says Hide like and view counts on your posts (or very similar wording). It’s usually the first toggle in this section. Turn the toggle on (slide it to the right or tap it so it turns blue/active). Once it’s on, all your existing and future posts and reels will no longer show like or view counts to anyone. People will still see “Liked by [username] and others” (or similar) but not the actual number. You can still see your own like counts and insights in the Instagram app if you use professional or creator tools. There is no per-post switch—this one setting applies to all your posts and reels. That’s it: you’ve learned how to hide likes on Instagram for your content.
To show like counts again later, go back to the same place (Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts) and turn Hide like and view counts on your posts off. For more control over who sees your profile and lists, see our Hide Followers and Close Friends.
Hide Like Counts on Others' Posts (Optional)
If you want to hide like and view counts when you browse (so you don’t see numbers on other people’s posts and reels), use the second option in the same menu.
Go to Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts). Find Hide like and view counts on other people's posts and turn the toggle on. Then when you scroll your feed or open reels, you won’t see like or view counts on anyone else’s content—only “Liked by [user] and others” or similar. This affects only your view; it doesn’t change what others see. You can turn it off anytime in the same place.
Using both options together—hiding counts on your content and on others’—gives you the most control over how much you see and share. For more privacy settings, see our Hide Followers and Two-Factor Authentication.
Posts vs Reels: Does the Same Setting Hide Likes on Both?
Yes. When you turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts, it applies to both posts and reels. Instagram does not give you a separate toggle for “hide likes on reels only” or “hide likes on posts only.” One setting controls like and view counts for all your feed posts and all your reels. So if you’re searching for how to hide likes on Instagram reels or how to hide likes on Instagram posts, the answer is the same: go to Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts) and turn on the option for your posts. The same applies when you hide like counts on other people’s posts—you won’t see numbers on their posts or their reels. For more on reels, see our Reel dimensions and Reel length.
Can't Find Hide Likes? (Troubleshooting)
If you don’t see the Hide like and view counts options, try the following. These steps help most users find the setting.
- Update the Instagram app — The feature is available in recent versions. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), search for Instagram, and tap Update if an update is available. Then open Instagram and go to Settings and privacy → Privacy again.
- Look under different menu names — Instagram sometimes moves or renames options. Check under Privacy, then look for Posts, Like and share counts, or Who can see your content. The toggles might be under one of those.
- Check your region and account type — Instagram rolls out features by region and account type. If you still don’t see it after updating, the option may not be available in your region yet or for your account. Keep the app updated and check back later.
- Use the search in Settings — In Settings and privacy, use the search bar at the top (if available) and type “like” or “hide like.” Instagram may show a direct link to the setting.
Once you find the toggles, hiding likes on Instagram is instant—no restart needed. For official help, see the Instagram Help Center.
Quick Reference: Hide Likes Instagram (2026)
Use this table for how to hide likes on Instagram at a glance:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Where to change | Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts) |
| Hide counts on your posts/reels | Turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts |
| Hide counts on others' posts | Turn on Hide like and view counts on other people's posts (your view only) |
| Posts and reels | Same setting applies to both; no separate control for reels only |
| Turn counts back on | Same path; turn both toggles off |
For more tools, see our Hide Followers, Close Friends, and Archive vs Delete.
FAQ: Hide Likes on Instagram
How do I hide likes on Instagram?
Open Instagram → Profile → Menu → Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts). Turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts to hide like counts on your posts and reels. Turn on Hide like and view counts on other people's posts to hide counts when you browse.
Can I hide likes on my Instagram posts and reels?
Yes. In Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts), turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts. Then your posts and reels won’t show like or view counts to anyone. You can still see your own insights.
Can I hide like counts on other people's posts on Instagram?
Yes. In the same Settings path (Privacy → Posts), turn on Hide like and view counts on other people's posts. Then you won’t see like or view counts on posts and reels in your feed—only “and others” or similar. This is optional and for your view only.
Does hiding likes on Instagram hide them for everyone?
If you turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts, others won’t see like or view counts on your posts and reels. If you turn on Hide like and view counts on other people's posts, only you won’t see counts when you browse; others still see counts on their own feed.
Can I turn like counts back on on Instagram?
Yes. Go to the same place: Settings and privacy → Privacy → Posts (or Like and share counts). Turn off Hide like and view counts on your posts and/or Hide like and view counts on other people's posts. Like and view counts will show again.
Can I hide likes on just one Instagram post?
No. Instagram does not offer a per-post option. When you turn on Hide like and view counts on your posts, it applies to all your posts and reels. You can’t hide likes on one post and show them on another.
Does hiding likes on Instagram affect engagement?
Hiding like counts does not change how the algorithm ranks or promotes your content. People can still like, comment, and share; they just don’t see the number. You can still see your own engagement in Instagram Insights if you have a professional or creator account.