Strangers keep sending requests or adding me to Instagram groups. What should I check?
The short answer
For your own Instagram account, review two separate controls: who may send message requests and who may add you to group chats. Meta describes choices for requests from people you do not follow, including receiving them as requests or not receiving them. Available choices can differ. Do not assume these settings end existing conversations or prevent every form of contact.
What this answer is based onWhat to do
Before changing anything, confirm the account and decide whose new messages you still need, such as customers or a planned contact. Note your current choices so you can reconsider them. Do not accept an unwanted request merely to inspect a link or test the setting.
- Open Instagram directly and check the username. Identify whether the problem is a new request, a group invitation or an already accepted chat. Keep only necessary evidence if the content is threatening; do not forward abusive material publicly.
- In Instagram settings, look for controls for messages, message requests and group additions. Use settings search or in-app Help if available. Follow the labels on your screen rather than an old screenshot.
- For each sender category actually shown, read whether the choice sends messages to requests or prevents receiving those requests. Choose deliberately. A stricter choice may also stop legitimate new enquiries; it is not simply a notification-mute switch.
- Review the separate setting for who can add you to group chats. Choose the narrower offered audience if that matches your needs, reading any exceptions. Do not assume changing direct-message requests automatically changes group invitations.
- Save or confirm if prompted, then reopen both controls and check the selected values. Repeat the check for another Instagram account you use only if you want to change that account too. Do not assume a Messenger setting was changed.
- Address an existing unwanted conversation separately using its available controls and the related Restrict/Block guidance. Report genuine abuse through the relevant in-app option. Do not open suspicious links, pay a supposed helper or share login codes.
- If an option is absent or will not save, consult official Help for your device and account. Record the setting name, app version and non-sensitive error details for a technical report. Follow any supervision requirement; do not change your age or bypass safeguards to expose a control.
The situation
An account selling handmade items receives unwanted group invitations but still needs new customer enquiries. Review group additions separately rather than closing every available route for new messages.
The situation and an improvement
Turn off notifications and assume strangers can no longer contact the account.
Review request delivery and group additions separately, verify the saved choices and handle existing chats on their own.
More examples
The unwanted chat already exists
You tighten request settings, but a conversation you previously accepted is still in the inbox.
What to do
Do not treat the remaining chat as proof that all settings failed. Inspect that conversation’s controls and use the appropriate restriction, blocking or reporting route.
A customer needs to contact you
You want less unsolicited contact without accidentally closing a useful business channel.
What to do
Choose the actual sender categories carefully. Check group additions separately, and review the trade-off before rejecting all new requests offered by the setting.
What this answer is based on
Meta MyDigitalWorld · Controls for Instagram messages and group chatsmydigitalworld.fb.comMeta · Stricter message settings for teens · 25 January 2024, updated 30 June 2025Guide based on Meta’s materialReview details
Source reviewed:
We read the official source listed for this topic. Other Meta rules are reviewed separately.
Meta’s MyDigitalWorld lesson and its teen-message announcement were read on 14 October 2026. They support separate controls for incoming Instagram requests and group additions, with additional teen/supervision restrictions. The announcement is dated 25 January 2024 and displays an update of 30 June 2025; this is not a new October rollout. No signed-in account, current Android/iOS/web menu sequence or exhaustive country availability was tested. The steps use the choices actually offered to you; Meta’s educational text is not a guarantee that every account has identical options.
Include the guide link, language and wording that needs checking. Add an official source link if you have one. Do not send passwords, login codes or photos of identity documents.
Examples are made up to explain the guidance. Meta decides individual account and content cases.
Sources and related topicsPolicy Graph · Demo in development