Blocking social media on school and work computers is nothing new. We’ve all encountered it: we want to check what our friends are sharing on Instagram and do a routine check-up on likes, but we get denied access to the platform. It’s not so pleasant.
Sometimes, social media bans also happen for more extreme reasons like government censorship.
Regardless of the situation, I believe you should be able to access Instagram freely if you wish. That’s why I’m dedicating this article to all the ways to get Instagram unblocked and running.
There are four methods to get your Instagram unblocked:
- Use mobile data;
- Use a proxy server;
- Use the Tor Browser;
- Use a VPN.
Table of contents
How to get Instagram unblocked at school or work
If you can’t access Instagram from your school or workplace, you have a few problems:
- Your school or workplace is strict;
- Your government is strict;
- The strictness has led to them blocking access to Instagram.
No worries, this is where your problems end. Follow the tips and tricks below and enjoy the wondrous world of Instagram anywhere.
Method 1: Unblock Instagram using mobile data
Accessing Instagram using your phone’s data is the most straightforward way. However, it only works if your school blocks social media websites on its Wi-Fi network.
Using mobile data is not the best solution either. Instagram is notorious for using generous amounts of it. That’s especially true if you’re a fan of watching Instagram stories. On top of that, depending on your data plan and your ISP, you can experience drops in speed once you’ve used up a certain amount of your plan’s MBs (megabytes).
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
An extremely fast solution | Eats your phone data |
Doesn’t require any setups | Won’t bypass censorship |
Pros and cons of unblocking Instagram at school using mobile data
Method 2: Access Instagram using proxy servers
Proxies hide your IP (Internet Protocol) address, meaning your location is unknown to your internet service provider (ISP). Although not the most secure option, proxy servers are easy to use: you can find many free proxy server providers on the internet by putting a name into a Google search.
All you gotta do is copy and paste the URL (e.g., https://instagram.com) into the proxy web page. If you wish, you can adjust some additional settings under the “More options” tab if proxy web offers it. It then does the rest of the job for you:
Note: Using a free proxy server isn’t a safe option as they don’t encrypt your data. Be cautious if you decide to try it out.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
A quick solution | Usually unencrypted and dangerous |
Is usually free |
Pros and cons of unblocking Instagram via proxies
Method 3: Use the Tor Browser
Another method used to outsmart not-so-sophisticated website blockers is via the Tor Browser.
Tor is a free and open-source internet browser that provides online anonymity and access to restricted websites. It is able to unlock Instagram by bouncing your request through multiple servers worldwide rather than just redirecting it once. So, because your school’s system cannot tell the website you’re trying to access, it also cannot restrict it.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
A quick solution | Slows down your device |
A free one too | Requires a device to which you can download it |
Pros and cons of unblocking Instagram via Tor browser
Method 4: Use a VPN to unblock Instagram
A VPN is your best bet if you want to access Instagram. It works for school and workplace restrictions as well as country-wide restrictions. The latter can be tricky because countries like China monitor VPN use and dedicate much of their time to trying to block them.
However, that’s no problem for a VPN like Surfshark which uses obfuscated servers. So make sure you get a VPN with the right features!
Since this method is the most reliable one for unblocking Instagram, I’ll expand on it more.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
A fast and easy solution | |
Bypasses censorships | |
Encrypts your entire internet traffic | |
Works against all websites blockers |
How to use a VPN to unblock Instagram
Unblocking Instagram with a VPN is a straightforward process.
- Go to a VPN provider’s website (e.g., https://surfshark.com) or find an app on an app store;
- Download a VPN;
- Choose a plan and create an account;
- Log in to your account;
- Choose a server and connect.
What server you choose depends on your individual situation. If Instagram is only blocked on the Wi-Fi network, pick a local server as it will ensure the best connection speed. If you’re in a country that blocks Instagram, choose the nearest available country that doesn’t.
How to access Instagram Music from anywhere
Suppose you’ve followed my advice and successfully used one of the methods to unblock Instagram at school. Good job! However, you might still have one puzzle piece left. Due to music licensing deals (it’s always about the licensing these days), Instagram Music is unavailable in most countries.
The lucky ones are in the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, France, and Germany. But you can be the lucky one too. You probably know where this is going already, but I’ll tell you anyway. To enjoy Instagram Music, you need a VPN.
Follow the steps I’ve laid out above, and don’t forget a couple of crucial things:
- Choose a server in one of the before-mentioned countries (for the best connection speed, pick the one closest to you).
- Uninstall the Instagram app before connecting to a VPN server and install it back once you’ve connected. Why? Because Instagram logs your location the first time you log in; thus, a VPN won’t work if you don’t go through with the reinstallation process.
Bottom line: Don’t let Instagram blocking stop you
To sum up, unblocking Instagram at school boils down to:
- If your school or workplace uses simple website blockers, turn on mobile data and you should be good to go.
- If you don’t mind the usually awful connection time, try the Tor Browser.
- If you want the most efficient way to access Instagram AND Instagram Music, use a VPN.
- If you’re feeling risky, go with proxy servers (again, be cautious).
Of course, we’re biased, but we always recommend the VPN option out of all four because it’s not just about unblocking Instagram. With a VPN, you get a wide range of features that enhance your privacy and security online. It also allows you to bypass censorship and access blocked websites.
So, why not give Surfshark a go?
FAQ
Can you use the Tor Browser to unblock Instagram at school?
Yes, you can unblock Instagram at school with Tor. You only need to use any device that has the Tor Browser.
Why do schools block Instagram?
It’s hard to tell. There can be a few reasons why schools may block Instagram. They may deem it distracting. They also may worry about all the hostile and violent content influencing kids. Last but not least, schools may be trying to safeguard their internal network from viruses and malware.
Is it legal to unblock Instagram from school?
There are currently no laws against unblocking Instagram or any other social media site at school. But remember that accessing it while connected to the school’s network can have serious consequences, so do it at your own risk.
