Remove a tag from a photo you posted
When you tag someone in a photo you posted, you can remove that tag at any time. Open Instagram and go to the photo. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post, then tap Edit. Tap Edit the caption at the bottom of the screen.
You'll see a list of everyone tagged in the photo. Find the person you want to remove and tap the X next to their name. Tap Done, then tap Share to save the change. The tag disappears when ready, and that person no longer sees the photo in their tagged posts.
Remove yourself from someone else's tag
If someone tagged you in their photo and you want your name removed, you cannot delete the tag directly. Instead, you can remove the tag from your own profile so it no longer appears in your tagged photos section. Open the photo, tap the three dots, and select Remove me from post. The tag stays on the photo itself, but your name no longer links to your profile.
If you want the tag removed entirely from the photo, you'll need to ask the person who posted it to delete it themselves using the steps above. If they refuse and the photo violates Instagram's rules—for example, if it's a fake account impersonating you or contains harassment—you can report the post to Instagram.
Key Takeaways
- You can remove tags from photos you posted by opening the photo, tapping the three dots, selecting Edit, and deleting the person's name from the tagged list.
- If someone else tagged you, you can remove yourself from the tag so it no longer appears in your tagged photos, but the tag stays visible on their post.
- Removing a tag from your profile happens when ready and the person who tagged you will not receive a notification.
- If a tag violates Instagram's community guidelines, you can report the post instead of asking the person to remove it manually.
Why Instagram lets you manage tags
Tags connect photos to people's profiles. When someone tags you, the photo appears in your tagged photos section, and your followers can see it. This is useful when friends want to share memories with you, but it also means anyone with your username can tag you in any photo—even ones you don't want associated with your profile.
Instagram gives you control over tags so you can keep your profile the way you want it. Removing yourself from a tag doesn't delete the photo or hurt the person who posted it. It straightforward unlinks your name from that image on your profile.
Untag yourself in bulk from old photos
If you've been tagged in many photos over time and want to remove yourself from several at once, Instagram doesn't have a bulk untag feature. You'll need to go through your tagged photos one by one. Open your profile, tap the icon that looks like a person with a box around it (your tagged photos), and scroll through the list.
Tap each photo you want to remove yourself from, tap the three dots, and select Remove me from post. This takes longer than removing tags from your own posts, but it's the only way to clean up your tagged photos section. If you notice you're being tagged repeatedly by the same account in unwanted ways, you can block or restrict that person instead.
Prevent unwanted tags before they happen
Instagram has a setting that lets you review tags before they appear on your profile. Go to your profile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), select Settings and privacy, then Privacy. Scroll down to Tags and turn on Review tags before they appear on your profile.
With this setting on, when someone tags you, you'll get a notification asking you to approve or reject the tag. You have up to 24 hours to decide. If you reject it, the tag is removed and the person who posted it won't know you declined. This is the most effective way to keep your profile clean without having to go back and remove tags later.
What happens when you remove a tag
When you remove a tag from a photo you posted, the person tagged no longer sees the photo in their tagged photos section. They don't receive a notification that you removed them. The photo itself stays on your profile—only the tag disappears.
If you remove yourself from someone else's tag, the same thing happens from your side: the photo leaves your tagged photos section. The person who posted it can still see the tag in their edit list, and other people can still see the photo. Removing a tag is private—it only affects what appears on your own profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the person know when I remove their tag?
No. Instagram does not send a notification when you remove a tag. The person who was tagged or the person who posted the photo will not know unless they check the photo themselves and notice the tag is gone.
Can I remove a tag from a photo I didn't post?
You can only remove yourself from a tag on someone else's photo. You cannot delete other people's tags from photos you don't own. If you want a tag removed entirely, you need to ask the person who posted the photo to remove it.
What if someone keeps tagging me in photos I don't want?
Turn on tag review in your privacy settings so you can approve tags before they appear. If the person continues to tag you after you've rejected tags, you can restrict or block their account. Blocking prevents them from seeing your profile and tagging you at all.
Will removing a tag delete the photo?
No. Removing a tag only unlinks your name from the photo. The photo stays on the other person's profile. If you want the photo deleted entirely, you need to ask them to delete the post.
Can I see a list of all photos I've been tagged in?
Yes. Open your profile and tap the icon that looks like a person with a box around it. This shows all photos where you've been tagged. You can tap any photo to see who posted it and remove yourself if you want.