Sep 2, 2025
11 Min
Instagram users who accidentally hide comments shouldn't panic—they're not gone forever. When you hide a comment on Instagram, it's invisible to everyone else, but you can still see it as the post owner.
To unhide Instagram comments, just go to your post, open the comments, scroll to the bottom, tap "View Hidden Comments," and hit "Unhide" next to the one you want back. It's pretty quick and works for both regular posts and Reels.
Hiding and unhiding comments lets you control what shows up without losing anything. Whether you hid something by accident or changed your mind, Instagram's tools make it easy to manage comment visibility on any device.
When you hide a comment, it vanishes from public view but isn't deleted. Instagram gives you tools to hide offensive comments automatically or pick out specific ones to hide.
Hidden comments disappear for everyone except you. They're not gone—they're just tucked away in Instagram's system.
Other folks can't see the hidden comment in your post's replies. It's almost like it never existed, at least to them.
The original commenter won't get a notification that you've hidden their message. On their end, it still looks like it's there.
As the account owner, you can see all hidden comments in a special section. They're grouped at the bottom under "View Hidden Comments."
People often hide comments to clean up negativity or spam. No one wants their post overrun with bots or off-topic promos.
Some of the top reasons:
It's easy to hide a comment by accident, especially if you're scrolling fast. Sometimes, folks just want to cool things off during an argument.
Creators might hide comments to keep things looking professional. It helps protect their brand from bad vibes.
Only you, the account owner, can see hidden comments. Everyone else—including your friends and followers—can't.
The person who wrote the comment still sees their own message. To them, nothing looks different.
Instagram staff can access hidden comments if they're reviewing a report or investigating.
Who sees what:
Unless you unhide them, those comments are invisible to the general public.
If you want to unhide a comment, you'll need to find the post, open the comments, and get to the hidden section. It's all pretty straightforward in the mobile app.
You can unhide comments on Instagram using the app, and it works for both posts and Reels.
Step 1: Open the app and go to the post with the hidden comment.
Step 2: Tap the comments section right below the post.
Step 3: Keep scrolling until you hit the bottom.
Step 4: Look for any hidden comment markers or special sections.
The Instagram app is your best bet here. The desktop version doesn't offer much for hidden comments.
You'll find "View Hidden Comments" down at the bottom if there are any hidden. Just scroll through everything else first.
These comments are still saved in Instagram's system. They're not deleted, just out of sight for everyone but you.
Where to look:
All your hidden comments show up together, which is handy if you're reviewing a bunch at once.
Some people say it helps to know who posted the comment you're looking for. That way, you can spot it faster.
Instagram doesn't just let you unhide with one tap. There's a two-step check to avoid mistakes.
How it goes:
Once you confirm, the comment pops back up for everyone to see. It slides right back into its original spot in the thread.
If you change your mind, you can always hide it again. Unhiding and hiding go both ways.
That little confirmation box is there for a reason—it keeps you from accidentally making something public again.
Instagram Reels use the same comment management setup as posts. You can view and restore hidden comments from the comments section—just gotta scroll to the bottom and confirm.
Hidden comments on Reels show up in a separate area below everything else. You really have to scroll to the end to see them.
Tap the Reel with the hidden comment, then hit the comments icon at the bottom right.
Once you're in, scroll down past all the visible stuff. If anything's hidden, you'll see "View Hidden Comments" pop up.
That section lists all hidden comments, whether you hid them or Instagram's filters did. You'll see the comment and who posted it.
The steps for Reels are pretty similar. Tap "View Hidden Comments" to see what's been tucked away.
Next to each, there's an "Unhide" button. When you tap it, Instagram double-checks with a popup.
Confirm, and the comment's back in the main feed, right where it was originally posted. Everyone can see, like, or reply to it again.
You can't unhide comments from desktop anymore. Gotta use the mobile app—bit of a pain for desktop fans.
If Instagram removed a comment for breaking rules, you can't bring it back. Only stuff you hid yourself can be restored this way.
No "View Hidden Comments" option? Then nothing's hidden on that Reel.
You could always turn off comments for a Reel or use Instagram's keyword filters if you're tired of dealing with junk.
How you unhide comments on Instagram can change a bit depending on your device. Each platform has its own quirks for finding hidden comments.
The Instagram app is the easiest way to handle hidden comments, whether you're on iOS or Android. Just go to your post and tap the comment icon.
Start by opening the post with the hidden comment. Tap the three dots in the top right.
Pick "Manage Comments" or "View Hidden Comments"—it depends on your app version. Hidden comments are usually marked with a gray background or something similar.
To unhide, tap the comment and select "Unhide." It pops right back into the main thread for everyone.
Quick steps for mobile:
On the web, things look a little different. Head to your post through a browser.
Click the post to open it up. The three-dot menu near the engagement buttons is where you'll find comment options.
Hidden comments show up in a collapsed section—click "Show hidden comments" or whatever prompt is there. They're usually styled differently so you can spot them.
To unhide, just hover over the comment and click "Unhide." No need to reload the page—it's instant.
Web features:
Good moderation isn't just about hiding stuff—it's about knowing when to bring it back and exploring other ways to keep your space positive. Sometimes, a little flexibility goes a long way for engagement.
Users should unhide comments on Instagram when the content actually adds something to the conversation. Sometimes, comments get swept up in bulk moderation by mistake—they might deserve a second look.
Constructive criticism is usually worth unhiding. It can help brands grow and shows followers that you're open to feedback, not just praise.
Comments from loyal customers or brand advocates? Definitely worth considering. Their positive words help build community trust and might even encourage others to join in.
Time-sensitive responses—like customer service questions or anything about an upcoming event—shouldn't stay hidden long. If people are waiting for answers, it's just better for everyone to get those comments visible.
Sometimes, it's easy to react too harshly and hide something that, on second thought, wasn't so bad. If a comment initially seemed negative but actually had a point, that's another reason to unhide.
It's smart to check for these situations now and then:
Instead of just hiding Instagram comments, creators can jump in and reply directly. It shows you're paying attention and can even turn a negative into a positive.
For especially sensitive posts, turning off comments altogether is an option. That way, folks can still see your content but can't stir up trouble in the comments.
Keyword filters are a lifesaver sometimes. Instagram lets you block certain words or phrases, so those never show up for anyone else to see.
Limiting comments to followers only is another trick, especially if you're tired of spam and trolling. It keeps the conversation going but blocks out random negativity.
Or, if things are getting heated, just move the conversation to DMs. Sometimes it's better to hash things out privately, away from the crowd.
A few handy moderation tools:
Now and then, the "View Hidden Comments" button just doesn't show up, or Instagram updates shuffle things around. It can be frustrating when you can't get to hidden comments the usual way.
The main headache? Not seeing "View Hidden Comments" at the bottom of your comment section. Sometimes that's because the Instagram layout changed, or, honestly, maybe there just aren't any hidden comments on that post.
First, scroll all the way down in the comments. The option only pops up if there are actually hidden comments on that post or reel.
If you still don't see it, try these:
Another trick: visit the profile of whoever left the hidden comment. Sometimes, you can spot the original comment in their activity and interact with it from there.
Instagram updates its features a lot, which can mess with comment tools. The desktop version, for instance, no longer lets you unhide comments—you've got to use the app.
Sometimes, the unhide option moves to a different menu. Check the three dots next to comments for new options.
If updates are causing issues, try:
Instagram's comment features are always changing, so what worked last month might need tweaking after a big update.
People often want to get back comments they hid by mistake, or just figure out how comment visibility works across Instagram. The process can be a little different depending on whether it's a post, a reel, or a story.
To unhide comments on Instagram posts, just open the post and head to the comments.
At the bottom, look for "View Hidden Comments." Tap it, and you'll see everything that's been hidden.
To unhide a specific comment, hit "Unhide" beneath it. Instagram will ask you to confirm—just tap "Unhide" again.
Yep, you can get back accidentally hidden comments using the same steps as any other unhide. The process to unhide Instagram comments doesn't care if it was a mistake or not.
Hidden comments stick around unless the original poster deletes them. You have full control over bringing them back.
Once you confirm, the comment is visible to everyone who can see the post.
Instagram Stories are a different beast. Story comments show up as direct messages, not public comments.
You can't hide or unhide Story comments the same way as with posts. Story replies just land in your inbox.
If you want to manage Story interactions, check your DMs. You can delete replies you don't want right from your messages.
Unhiding comments on reels? Pretty much the same as posts. Open the reel, go to the comments, and scroll down.
Tap "View Hidden Comments" to see what's been tucked away. Find the comment, tap "Unhide," and confirm.
The comment pops back into view for everyone.
Nope—once you hide a comment, nobody else can see it except the person who wrote it.
The author still sees their own comment, but for everyone else, it's gone from the feed.
Hidden comments stay in Instagram's system, but they're not public unless you unhide them.
You can't really hide your comments from just one person while letting everyone else see them. Instagram set things up so comments are either out there for everyone, or not at all.
If you really don't want someone to see what you're saying, you have to block them. Once you block someone, neither of you can see each other's stuff—it's a pretty firm line.
There's also the option to make your account private. Then, only people you've approved as followers will be able to see your posts and comments.
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