How to Get Unbanned from Instagram: The Definitive 2025 Recovery Guide

Seeing the message “Your account has been disabled for violating our terms” is every creator’s nightmare. In 2025, losing your Instagram account isn’t just annoying—it’s like being kicked out of your own digital home, cutting you off from your audience and possibly your income.

Before we talk about how to get unbanned from Instagram, keep these two golden rules in mind:

1. Don’t fall for “hacker recovery” scams

You’ll see countless comments and bots claiming that “CyberToolz2025” or “IG_Wizard” can restore your account. These are fake. No one can hack Meta’s servers to bring back a disabled profile. Only Meta can reverse a ban.

2. Act quickly—but stay calm

You usually have 30 days to appeal before Instagram schedules your account for permanent deletion. But avoid submitting the same appeal form over and over. Sending dozens of requests in one hour can get your IP flagged, making recovery even harder.

This guide covers five methods to unsuspend your Instagram account.

Why Were You Banned?

To fix the problem, you must identify the symptoms. Instagram restrictions fall into four distinct categories.

Common Causes in 2025

• AI False Positives: Meta’s AI moderation has become aggressive. Innocent accounts are often flagged for “bot-like activity” if they post too frequently or use third-party analytics apps.
• Third-Party Apps: Using apps to track “Who Unfollowed Me” is a primary cause of bans in 2025. These apps violate API terms.
• Intellectual Property (IP): Re-posting viral content (even with credit) can trigger automated copyright strikes.

How to Get Unbanned from Instagram

Now, let’s see how to get your suspended Instagram back.

Method 1: The Standard In-App Appeal

This is the “Happy Path” designed by Instagram. Always try this first.

Steps:

1. Open the Instagram app and attempt to log in.
2. When the “Account Disabled” pop-up appears, tap Learn More (not “OK”).
3. Follow the prompts to tap “Let us know” or “Appeal.”
4. If asked, verify your mobile number via SMS.

The Video Selfie Verification

In 2025, the primary gatekeeper is the Video Selfie. The AI analyzes your face to ensure you are a human and not a bot.

• The Procedure: You will be asked to hold your phone at eye level and turn your head slowly left, right, and up.
• Critical Tip: Ensure you have good lighting. If you wear glasses or have changed your hair significantly since your profile photos were taken, try to match your original appearance if possible.
• Status Check: If the appeal is submitted, you will typically see a “Thanks for providing your info” screen. This process usually takes 24–48 hours.

Method 2: The “Hidden” Web Forms (The Backdoor)

If the app is crashing, showing a blank screen, or sticking you in a loop, you need to use the web-based forms. Many old forms (like the general “contact us”) have been deactivated, but specific legal and niche forms still function as of late 2025.

Note: Fill these out using a computer, not your phone, for better stability.

The Intellectual Property Appeal (For Copyright Bans)

Even if you aren’t 100% sure your ban was copyright-related, this form is monitored by human agents more frequently than the general queue.

• Go to Instagram IP Appeal Form
• If you believe your account was disabled due to a copyright error (or a malicious false report), submit this form.

The “Report a Login Issue” Form

While sometimes redirected, this form can occasionally bypass the “Disabled” block if you frame it as a hacking/login issue.

• Visit Instagram Login Help (Note: Availability varies by region).

Form Filling Best Practices:

• Name: Use the exact name listed on your account.
• Email: Use the email originally used to sign up (even if you don’t have access to it, list it as the primary, and provide a contact email if asked).
• Description: Be professional. “My account was disabled in error. I am a real person and I have not violated community guidelines. Please review.”

Method 3: The “Meta Verified” Strategy (The Fastest Way)

This is currently the most effective method for high-value accounts. It involves paying for customer service.

Learn more: Meta provides “Enhanced Support” and “Live Chat” to Meta Verified subscribers. While the support is technically for the verified account, agents have the ability to escalate tickets for other accounts owned by the same person.

Follow the steps below to recover your suspended Instagram account:

1. Use a Secondary Account: You need an active Instagram or Facebook account that is not banned. If you don’t have one, ask a trusted family member.
2. Subscribe: Go to Settings > Accounts Center > Meta Verified. The cost is approx. $14.99/month.
3. Get Support: Once verified (usually takes 1-24 hours), go to Settings > Meta Verified > Get Support > Chat with us.

What to Say:
“Hi, I’m a Meta Verified subscriber. My other account [Insert Username] was disabled by mistake. I own both accounts. This ban is hurting my business/personal brand. Can you please open a ticket to review it?”

Heads up: You may get a canned response saying, “We can only help with the account you are chatting from.” Do not give up. End the chat politely and try again later. You are fishing for a helpful agent who is willing to open an internal ticket.

You may also like: How to Deal with Instagram Age Verification Issues on Mobile

Method 4: The Data Access & Privacy Leverage

This method utilizes privacy laws (GDPR/CCPA) to force a human review. By law, Meta must provide you with your data. If they cannot provide data because the account is “locked,” they often have to reactivate it temporarily or review it to comply with the legal request.

1. Go to the Data Access Tool:(https://www.instagram.com/download/request/) (You may need to search for “Data Access Instagram” if you cannot log in).

2. Select: “I have an Instagram account but I can’t access my data.”

3. Copy this note:

“I am requesting a download of my data under privacy laws. My account is currently disabled, which is preventing me from exercising my right to data portability. Please restore access so I can retrieve my information.”

This often routes your request to the legal/privacy team, who are generally more responsive than the standard support bots.

Method 5: Bypassing IP Bans with BearVPN

Sometimes the problem isn’t just your account—it’s your internet connection. If Instagram has flagged your home WiFi or your phone’s IP address, you might see “Try Again Later” or get blocked from logging in entirely. This is called an IP Ban.

If this happens, you need to change your “digital location.” We recommend using BearVPN for this because it handles social media blocks well.

How to use it:

Step 1. Get the App: Download BearVPN on your phone or computer.

Step 2. Pick a Location: Connect to a server in a major country like the US, UK, or Canada.

Step 3. Clear the Junk: Before you open Instagram, go to your phone settings and clear the Instagram app cache (or just uninstall and reinstall it).

Step 4. Try Logging In: With the VPN running, open Instagram. You now look like a new user coming from a different location, which often bypasses the IP block.

Note: If you get back in, keep the VPN on while you use the app for a while so you don’t trigger the flag again.

Stuck in a Loop? How to Fix Glitches

A major issue in 2025 is the “Loop,” where the app asks for a code, you enter it, and it kicks you back to the login screen. Or, the Video Selfie upload spins forever.

Fix 1: The “Old APK” Method (Android Only)

The infinite loading screen on video selfies is often a glitch in the latest app version.

1. Uninstall Instagram.
2. Download an older version of the Instagram APK (e.g., version 326 or older) from a reputable archive site. Install it, and try the video selfie again.
3. Users report high success rates with this method.

Fix 2: The “Incognito” Reset

1. Delete the Instagram app from your phone.
2. Wait 24–48 hours. Do not attempt to log in.
3. Open a web browser (Chrome/Safari) in Incognito/Private Mode.
4. Go to Instagram.com and log in.
5. Often, the web browser will trigger a different verification flow (e.g., email code) that bypasses the broken app loop.

Fix 3: The “Wait and Clear”

If you are seeing “User not found” or “Try again later,” your IP address might be temporarily flagged due to too many login attempts.

• Do not try to log in for 72 full hours. Clear your phone’s cache. Then, try once using cellular data (WiFi off).

The Shadowban: Are You Invisible

If you aren’t fully banned but your engagement has dropped 90%, you are likely shadowbanned.

How to Test

1. Create a unique hashtag (e.g., #YourNameTest2025).
2. Post a photo using that hashtag.
3. Ask a friend (who does not follow you) to search for that hashtag.
4. If your post does not appear in the “Recent” tab for them, you are shadowbanned.

How to Fix

1. The 48-Hour Blackout: Log out and do not open the app for 2 days.
2. Revoke Permissions: Go to Settings > Website Permissions > Apps and Websites. Remove everything. (Especially “Follower Trackers”).
3. Delete Hashtags: Edit your last 3-5 posts and remove the hashtags.
4. Report a Problem: Go to Settings > Help > Report a Problem. Do not say “I am shadowbanned” (Instagram denies this term exists). Say: “My posts are not appearing in hashtags or Explore, limiting my reach.”

How to Stay Safe in the Future

Once you get your account back (or if you start a new one), secure it immediately.

• Enable 2FA (Correctly): Do not use SMS 2FA (SIM swapping is a risk). Use an Authenticator App (Google Authenticator or Duo).
• Download Backup Codes: Go to Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication > Additional Methods > Backup Codes. Screenshot these and save them off your phone. These are your only way back in if you lose your phone.
• Link Accounts: Linking your Instagram to a verified Facebook profile can make recovery easier, as it establishes a stronger identity trust score.
• Update Contact Info: Ensure your email and phone number are current.

Conclusion

Recovering an Instagram account is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to feel hopeless when you’re talking to bots and hitting dead ends, but remember: thousands of creators get their accounts back every day using these exact methods.

Start with the official appeals. If those fail, move to the “backdoor” legal forms. If you’re still stuck, consider the Meta Verified or VPN methods to force a new path. Most importantly, stay patient and professional. You’ve built your community once, and with persistence, you can fight to get it back. You’ve got this.

FAQ about Instagram Ban

1. How long does it take to get unbanned from Instagram? 

There is no single timer, but here are the average timelines for 2025:

• Action Blocks (Commenting/Liking): Typically last 24 to 48 hours.   
• Disabled/Suspended Accounts: The appeal review usually takes 24 hours to 7 days. However, some users report waiting weeks. If you haven’t heard back in 7 days, it’s safe to submit a new appeal.
• The 30-Day Danger Zone: If your account remains disabled for more than 30 days without a successful appeal, it is often permanently deleted from Meta’s servers. Speed is critical.

2. How do I get my device unbanned from Instagram? 

A “Device Ban” is when Instagram recognizes your specific phone and blocks any login attempt from it. This is harder to fix than an account ban.

• The Soft Fix: Clear your app cache and data, uninstall Instagram, wait 72 hours, and try reinstalling.
• The Nuclear Option: If the soft fix fails, your phone’s unique hardware ID is flagged. The only proven fix is to factory reset your phone and set it up as a “new device” (do not restore from a backup that contains the old Instagram data). You will also likely need to create a new Apple ID or Google Account.   

3. How do I get unbanned from commenting or liking? 

This is called an “Action Block.”

• Stop Everything: Do not try to comment or like for 48 full hours. Every time you try and get the error message, the timer resets.
• Switch Connections: Turn off WiFi and use your mobile data. Sometimes the block is tied to your IP address, not your account.
• Remove Links: If you have a link in your bio (Linktree, OnlyFans, etc.), remove it temporarily. It might be triggering the spam filter.

4. Can I pay someone to unban my account?

No. Anyone asking for money on Twitter or Instagram comments to unban you is a scammer. The only legitimate paid route is the official Meta Verified subscription for support access.

5. What if my account was “Permanently Deleted”?

If 30 days have passed since the disablement and you did not appeal, or if the appeal was rejected as final, the account is likely gone forever. However, if you can prove you were hacked, you may still have a slim chance using the Instagram Hacked tool.

6. Does the Oversight Board help?

The Oversight Board is primarily for high-level content policy decisions, but you can appeal to them if you receive a “Reference ID” in your rejection notice. It is a long shot for standard account bans but worth trying if you have the ID.