If you share mutual friends, Facebook may show you a handful of mutual connections even if the friends list is hidden. Go to their profile → Click “Friends” — if allowed, you’ll see a few shared friends.
Even if a profile is private, some information might still be public. Try searching for the person's name on and off Facebook to see if they have public profiles on other platforms or if any public information about them is available.
If you have a legitimate reason to need to view someone's profile (professional, educational, or a pre-existing relationship), consider reaching out with a friend request and explaining why you'd like to connect. If you share mutual friends, Facebook may show
Q: Can I use a temporary Facebook account to view private profiles?
A: No. Facebook restricts new accounts from viewing profiles and quickly disables fakes.
Q: What about “Facebook profile viewer” apps on the App Store?
A: All are scams. Apple and Google regularly remove them, but new ones pop up. Never enter your credentials. Try searching for the person's name on and
Q: Can I see someone’s friends list if it’s private?
A: No. But you can see mutual friends if you have any.
Q: Is it illegal to view a private profile without permission?
A: It depends on the method. Hacking, phishing, or using stolen credentials is illegal under the CFAA in the U.S. and similar laws worldwide. Simply looking at public info is fine. or a pre-existing relationship)
Q: What if I just want to see their photos?
A: You can’t unless they’re in public albums or tagged publicly. No workaround exists.