How to Unblock Instagram at School?

Justin Oyaro

By Justin Oyaro . 13 June 2024

Cybersecurity Expert

Miklos Zoltan

Fact-Checked this

27 Comments

In this guide, you will learn various methods that unblock Instagram at school.

Quick Summary
Social media websites such as Instagram are inaccessible via school Wi-Fi. These sites distract students from schoolwork. However, during breaks, Instagram can be a great way to catch up with the world. You can also use it to share your art projects.
Do these to unblock Instragam while at school:

Here are methods you can use to unblock Instagram at school:

Nearly three years after first writing this guide, I revisited the topic in 2024 to ensure the advice remains relevant and effective.

VPNs continue to be the most efficient method for unblocking Instagram at school, primarily due to their superior speed and security. Unlike proxies, which can significantly slow down internet speeds, VPNs offer a more practical and reliable solution.

Many users have reported difficulties installing VPN apps on school computers. A viable workaround is to install a VPN browser extension, which tends to be more acceptable in school settings. This allows users to bypass restrictions without needing full application installation.

If installing a VPN is not an option, another approach is accessing Instagram via your mobile data network. However, if this isn’t feasible, using a VPN remains the best alternative.

For detailed instructions on unblocking Instagram at school, refer to the original article below.

Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN creates secure connections over the internet. It masks your IP address and routes internet traffic through a VPN server.

It also encrypts your connection; no one will eavesdrop on your online activities. Third parties and prying eyes, such as your school’s firewall, will only see the VPN’s server IP address.

This VPN mechanism allows you to bypass restrictions and unblock websites such as Instagram. You can also access geo-restricted content.

If your school’s firewall blocks VPN traffic, you can use the VPN’s obfuscation feature. This feature offers stealth VPN connections.

A VPN can also enhance your security by using features such as split tunneling and a kill switch.

Additionally, you can switch through various VPN protocols to get the one that works.

How to use a VPN service

  1. Select an excellent VPN – subscribe, download, and install it.
  2. Log in to the VPN and connect to a server.
  3. Open Instagram and log into your account.

Advantages of using a VPN provider

  • Secures your private information.
  • Unblocks online content.
  • Bypasses throttling.

Disadvantages of using VPNs

  • Connection drops may leak your privacy.
  • Decreases your internet speed.
  • Quality VPNs are expensive – free VPNs are not recommended.

Some of the best VPNs have several different features such as kill switch, double VPN and Onion over VPN.

Connect to a Premium Proxy Server

A proxy server creates connections to the internet on your behalf. When you connect to a proxy server, the server relays your internet traffic to and from the destination.

It will look like you are only communicating with the proxy. Hence you will get to access blocked content without restrictions.

Website proxy servers won’t be able to unblock Instagram. To unblock Instagram at school, use premium proxy servers. Ensure you get a hostname (IP address), port number, or page address.

Moreover, premium proxy servers offer encryption, and they are not congested.

Setting up a proxy server in popular platforms

Windows 10

Here is how to set up the proxy server using a proxy script address .pac:

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet then Proxy.
  2. On the Automatic proxy setup section, toggle the Use Setup Script switch On.
  3. Enter the script address.
  4. Click Save.

Here is how to manually set up a proxy server using the IP address and port number:

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet then Proxy.
  2. On the Automatic proxy setup section, toggle the switches off.
  3. Go to the Manual proxy setup section, toggle Use a proxy server switch On.
  4. Enter the IP address and port number.
  5. Click Save.

Mac

  1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then Network.
  2. Select your current network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
  3. Click Advanced > Proxies.
  4. To configure the proxy server through the pac address, select Automatic Proxy Configuration, then enter the PAC address.
  5. To configure the proxy server manually, select a proxy server, such as Web Proxy, then enter the address and port number.
  6. If the proxy server is password protected, tick the “Proxy server requires password” checkbox. Please enter your username and password in their respective fields.
  7. Click OK.

Android

  1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet/Connections > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap on the cog icon next to your current Wi-Fi network and tap Advanced.
  3. Tap on the Proxy option and choose the proxy type.
  4. For manual setup, enter the proxy hostname (IP address) and the port.
  5. For the pac address, select the Auto-config option
  6. Tap Save.

iOS

  1. Open the Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Select the current active Wi-Fi connection.
  3. Under HTTP proxy, click Configure Proxy.
    Tap Manual to enter the host name (IP address) and port. If the proxy server is password protected, toggle authentication.
    To use the Proxy Auto-Config (PAC) file, Tap Automatic.
  4. Click Save.

If the school computers have system restrictions, set the proxy server in Firefox as follows.

  1. Click on the Firefox menu > Options.
  2. On the General section, scroll to Network Settings > Settings.

    For manual configuration, select Manual proxy configuration.
    Choose the type of proxy, then enter the IP address and port number.
    If you have the pac address, select Automatic proxy configuration URL, and enter it.

  3. Click OK.

Advantages of Using proxies

  • Reduced load times.
  • Bypasses geo-restrictions and firewalls.
  • Unblocks content.

Disadvantages of Using proxies

  • Free proxy servers won’t unblock Instagram.
  • Some proxy servers are not secure.
  • Proxy servers can bombard you with ads.

Use a Smart DNS Server

Domain Name System (DNS) maps websites to their corresponding IP addresses. A DNS server facilitates the mapping by looking up the IP addresses in various DNS databases. These databases are distributed around the internet.

You can bypass domain name filtering on Instagram by using a custom DNS. If no other blocks are used, the new DNS will bypass the domain name filtering mechanism, and you will access Instagram. To increase your chances of bypassing the filter, you need a Smart DNS.

A Smart DNS encrypts and routes your DNS queries through its servers. However, your internet traffic is not encrypted, and your IP address remains unchanged. This implementation allows a Smart DNS to access geo-restricted and blocked content.

To be able to unblock Instagram as well as other social media sites, use premium Smart DNS providers.

Changing DNS in various platforms

Windows 10

  1. Open the Control Panel go to Network and Internet, and then Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click on Change adapter settings.
  3. Right-click on your connected interface and select Properties.
  4. On the Networking tab, click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6), then click Properties.
  5. Select Use the following DNS server addresses.
  6. Replace IP addresses listed in the Preferred DNS server or Alternate DNS server and click OK.

Macs

  1. Click the Apple menu go to System Preferences, then Network.
  2. Select the connection you want to configure and click Advanced.
  3. Click the DNS tab and then click add button + to replace any addresses with new DNS.
  4. Click OK.

Linux

  1. Open Settings, then click on Wi-Fi or Network (Wired).
  2. Click on the cog icon next to your current connection.
  3. Select the IPv4 tab and disable the Automatic toggle switch.
  4. Enter the new DNS addresses, separated by a comma.
  5. Click Apply to save the change.

School computers may not allow system changes due to restrictions.

Android

  1. Open the device Settings > Network & Internet/Connections > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap on the cog icon next to your current Wi-Fi network and tap Advanced.
  3. Tap on IP settings and select Static.
  4. Scroll to the DNS fields and replace the current DNS with the new DNS.
  5. Tap Save.

iOS

  1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
  2. Tap the “i” icon next to your current Wi-Fi network.
  3. Scroll down to the DNS section and tap Configure DNS.
  4. Tap Manual and then tap the ‘red minus’ to remove the existing addresses.
  5. Tap Add Server and add the new DNS addresses.
  6. Tap Save.


Advantages of Using the Smart DNS

  • Works on any devices.
  • It doesn’t affect your internet speed.
  • Easy to set up.

Disadvantages of Using the alternate DNS

  • Hit or miss.
  • Doesn’t hide your IP address.
  • Doesn’t encrypt the internet connection.

Wrap Up

The above methods will allow you to unblock Instagram at your school. Depending on the blocking mechanism, you must try each technique to get what works for you.

You can do several different things with VPNs online, such as unblocking YouTube videos and unblocking Netflix. You can also use a Roobet VPN to play Roobet in the US or to watch ITV in the USA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some people found answers to these questions helpful

Can you use TOR to unblock Instagram at school?

Yes, you can use TOR to unblock Instagram at school. If you’re using your phone or computer, then by using the TOR browser, you can access the Instagram web app even if your school’s wifi has blocked it. You can also use TOR on a school computer if you are allowed to install apps on school computers.


How do you unblock apps on a school Chromebook?

A VPN will help you unblock apps from a school Chromebook. If you are allowed to install apps on your school computer, then you can directly install a VPN app. If this is not possible, then a VPN browser extension will work.


Which VPN is best for unblocking Instagram at school?

Most premium VPNs will work. We recommend ExpressVPN. If you want a cheaper alternative, then SurfShark is a great choice. Free VPNs will not work because they never switch servers, and most school networks have those already banned.


27 Comments

  • Anonymous

    May 3, 2024 9:43 pm

    Dis is bs my phone is broke and im on my school computer but it says my admin has blocked this . My school do to damn much .

  • Anonymous

    March 20, 2024 11:11 pm

    bruh I need a text ma man but all VPNS 4 my Chromebook are blocked and I cant download them fr

    • Anonymous

      March 23, 2024 5:40 pm

      me tooooo

  • Briiii

    February 16, 2024 12:13 am

    YALL PLS HELP ME BRUH im on a school mac and i need insta to talk to people im grounded for like a monthhh!!!!

  • Anonymous

    February 6, 2024 4:08 pm

    which dns you recommend me to put?

  • Anonymous

    January 4, 2024 8:15 pm

    Soo at first the vpn didnt work but after a while it downloaded.it was free for about 3 weeks but then it asks for $35 and you cant decline. also intagram was still locked, you could only access youtube.

  • Anonymous

    November 18, 2023 8:38 pm

    i dont have my phone and i need to log into my instagram im on spring break with nothing to do can you please help me

  • Anonymous

    October 29, 2023 11:32 pm

    nah real, gotta txt bacc my mann

    • Dedrick

      December 12, 2023 8:01 pm

      i cant download the vpn

  • Anonymous

    October 28, 2023 5:28 am

    i had my phone taken for abt a week n i needa text bae back rn

  • Anonymous

    October 26, 2023 7:04 pm

    RIGHT

  • Anonymous

    October 26, 2023 3:34 am

    same twinn

  • Anonymous

    October 10, 2023 5:43 am

    I need help getting on Instagram because everything is block and I need to text my baby back and if i don’t text him back then he going to ask me so many questions and he going to be mad at me because i did not text him back on time so How do i get on instagram on my school computer

  • mityana

    October 9, 2023 5:53 am

    it is something called Guardian and it blocks all of my stuff like I can’t get on Instagram. How do I get on Instagram.

    • Anonymous

      May 7, 2024 9:20 pm

      no duh

  • Anonymous

    October 4, 2023 7:57 pm

    Literally smh

  • Nicole

    August 18, 2023 3:09 am

    VPNS are blocked.

  • mylagussler

    June 28, 2023 8:52 pm

    I don’t got a phone or anything I need Instagram to text my mom\

  • :(

    May 14, 2023 2:46 pm

    all things listed here were blocked by my school’s combination of uninstallable extensions, WiFi restrictions, and blocking the ability to download any extension. 🙁

  • Anonymous

    March 29, 2023 3:22 am

    Every thing is blocked.

    • mylagussler

      June 28, 2023 8:51 pm

      why is my instagram blocked

  • Anonymous

    December 12, 2022 2:01 am

    vpns are blocked

  • tia

    July 27, 2022 12:54 pm

    thank you

  • Anonymous

    April 20, 2022 12:49 pm

    settings are blocked and i dont have a phone and vpns are also blocked any other ways?

    • Anonymous

      March 11, 2023 4:21 pm

      Can’t use settings and all vpn apps are blocked. Uhm help please !!!

      • Anonymous

        May 6, 2023 7:58 pm

        I got you just go watch a youtube video and if you don’t have anything then you go on to an mp3 downloader website and copy the URL from the video that you need then you click paster and the video will pop up and if dose not then you have to either refresh the page or you can go on to the site and subscribe and then you will be able to watch the video and when your done just follow the steps and then since your parents took away your phone you would be found and you can chat with you friends lol I’m bored because the school called my parents s and they took everything away from me and I found this school chrome book and I am trying to find a way to contact and chat with my friends don’t be like me lol.

  • KING

    April 17, 2022 1:42 am

    Why can I can’t sign up for the flag in Instagram

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