How to Ask Someone to Delete Photos of You (Kind Scripts)
How to ask someone to delete photos of you: message them privately, keep it short and friendly, say how the photo makes you feel rather than blaming them, and ask for one specific thing ("could you take this one down?"). Most friends say yes straight away. If they don't, you can untag yourself, use the app's report tools, and talk to a trusted adult if it's anything serious.
Short, kind, specific. That's the formula.
If your real worry is that you always look off in other people's photos, Glowmaxx scores what you can change, like light, angle and posture, from one selfie and gives you three moves to fix it. Start my glow-up
Quick note: this post is about friendly, everyday situations. It's not legal advice. If a photo is private, intimate, or being used to hurt you, skip straight to the trusted adult section.
Ask early: before it's posted
The easiest photo to "delete" is the one that never went up.
- At the moment it's taken: "Send it to me first before you post, yeah?"
- In the group chat after a night out: "Can we all check the pics before anyone posts? 🙏" (Yes, an emoji is fine here. It keeps it friendly.)
- For a friend who always posts: "Love that you take pics, but can you ask me before posting ones with me in?"
This is the least awkward way to ask a friend to not post photos of you, because nobody's done anything wrong yet.
Make it a group rule
Lots of friend groups have a simple rule: everyone approves the photo before it goes on the main feed. Suggest it casually. It protects everyone, including the person who keeps posting. It's the same trick as in our calm pitch for convincing your parents: make the yes easy before anyone feels put on the spot.
Texts to send a friend
Here's what to say to get someone to delete a picture, depending on the vibe.
The light one
"Haha love this night but I really don't like how I look in that one. Could you take it down or crop me out? 🙏"
The direct one
"Hey, could you delete the photo of me from Saturday? I'm not comfortable with it being up. Thanks."
The swap
"Can you swap that pic for this one instead? I look half-asleep in the other."
Offering a better photo makes it easy for them to say yes, especially if it's a group shot they like.
The ex version
How to ask your ex to delete photos of you is harder because there's history. Keep it calm and unemotional:
"Hey, I'd appreciate it if you could delete the photos of us from your profile and stories. Thanks."
No long explanation. No arguments. If they refuse and the photos feel harmful, use the report tools and the trusted-adult steps below.
| Situation | Best approach |
|---|---|
| Unflattering photo from a friend | Light text, offer a swap |
| Photo you didn't agree to | Direct text, private message |
| Ex has photos up | Calm, one-line request |
| Someone mocking you with it | Don't argue, report it, tell an adult |
| Private or intimate photo | Tell a trusted adult right away |
If they say no
Can you ask someone to delete photos of you? Yes. Can you make them? Not always. Here's what to do if they won't.
- Ask once more, calmly. "I know it's a fun pic, but it genuinely bothers me. Would you mind?"
- Ask for a smaller fix. Crop you out, archive instead of delete, or move it to Close Friends.
- Don't do it in public. Commenting "DELETE THIS" under the post usually makes it a bigger deal.
- Let it cool off. Sometimes people say no in the moment and quietly take it down later.
Here's the honest part: a lot of "delete that photo" moments come from not knowing why you look off in other people's pics. Light? Angle? Hair? It's really hard to judge yourself. Glowmaxx scores five things you can change from one selfie, each out of 10 with a note, and gives three moves aimed at the lowest. The photo is thrown away after scoring. Start my glow-up
Untagging and hiding tags
If the photo stays up, you can still put distance between it and your profile.
- Untag yourself: on most apps, tap the photo, tap your name or the tag, and choose remove. Your name disappears; the photo stays.
- Hide tagged photos from your profile: Instagram lets you choose which tagged posts show on your profile.
- Turn on tag approval: set it so tags need your OK before they show on your profile. Look in your privacy settings.
- Limit who can tag or mention you: e.g. only people you follow.
App settings change often, so if a button has moved, search the app's help center for "tags."
Using the app's report tools
Most platforms let you report a photo, and some have specific options for images of you posted without permission.
- How to report a photo on Instagram: tap the three dots on the post, then Report, and pick the reason that fits.
- TikTok: press and hold the video or tap Share, then Report.
- Snapchat: press and hold the Snap or story, then Report.
Pick the honest reason. If it's bullying or harassment, say so. Reporting is anonymous on most apps, so the person won't see your name on it.
When to tell a trusted adult
Some situations are too big for a polite text. Talk to a parent, carer, teacher, school counselor or another adult you trust if:
- The photo is private, intimate, or shows you undressed in any way
- Someone is threatening to share a photo unless you do something
- A photo is being used to bully or embarrass you
- The person keeps posting after you've asked them to stop
- You feel scared, anxious or unsafe about it
You're not in trouble for asking for help. Adults can contact schools, platforms or other services in ways you can't on your own.
Feel better in the next photo, starting now
You can't control every pic your friends take, but you can control a lot of what's in it. Take one selfie in Glowmaxx and get a score out of 10 for skin, hair, grooming, posture and angle, and light and fit, plus three moves for today aimed at your lowest. Fewer "please delete that" texts, more photos you like.
FAQ
Can you ask someone to delete photos of you?
Yes. Message them privately and say something like "Could you take that photo of me down? I'm not comfortable with it." Most people will do it straight away if you ask kindly.
How do I get my friend to delete a picture of me without making it weird?
Keep it light and offer an alternative: "I look so tired in that one, could you post this one instead?" Giving them a swap makes yes easy.
How do I ask my ex to delete photos of me?
Send one calm, short message asking them to delete the photos. If they refuse and it's causing you harm, use the app's report tools and tell a trusted adult.
What do I do if someone posted a photo of me without permission?
Ask them privately to remove it first. If they won't, untag yourself, report the post through the app, and talk to a trusted adult if the photo is private or used to hurt you.
How do I stop friends posting unflattering pictures of me?
Suggest a group rule that everyone checks photos before posting. If you keep hating how you look in other people's pics, a quick look at your lighting and angles (see our post on what to say when someone says you look tired) can help too.