When you create a Mastodon account, you choose between a locked or unlocked profile. This setting controls who can follow you without your approval. A locked account requires new followers to send a follow request that you must manually approve. An unlocked account lets anyone follow you immediately. This article explains the difference between locked and unlocked Mastodon accounts and when you should switch between them.
Key Takeaways: Mastodon Account Locked vs Unlocked Settings
- Preferences > Profile > Lock account: Toggle this setting to switch between locked and unlocked follower approval.
- Locked account behavior: New followers must send a follow request that you approve or reject manually.
- Unlocked account behavior: Any Mastodon user can follow you without your approval.
Locked vs Unlocked: What the Setting Does
The lock account setting is a binary toggle in your Mastodon profile preferences. When the account is unlocked, the default state, any Mastodon user can click the Follow button on your profile and immediately appear in your followers list. No approval is needed. This is the standard behavior for most social platforms.
When you lock your account, the Follow button changes into a Follow Request button. When a user requests to follow you, Mastodon sends you a notification. You can either approve or reject the request. Approved users appear in your followers list. Rejected users are not notified and can try again. You can also block users who send unwanted requests.
The lock setting does not affect existing followers. Users who already follow you remain on your followers list regardless of whether you lock the account later. The setting only controls how new followers are added from the moment you toggle it.
How the Lock Setting Affects Your Posts
Locking your account does not change who can see your public posts. All posts on Mastodon are public by default unless you set them to followers-only or unlisted. A locked account with public posts still allows anyone to view those posts on your profile or via the federated timeline. The lock only controls the follow relationship, not post visibility.
If you post followers-only content, only approved followers can see those posts. This is true for both locked and unlocked accounts. The lock setting adds an extra layer of control over who becomes a follower in the first place.
When to Use a Locked Account
A locked account is ideal for users who want to carefully control their audience. Here are the most common scenarios:
- Private or professional accounts: If you use Mastodon for business or professional networking, you may want to vet followers before allowing them to see your followers-only posts.
- Harassment or spam prevention: Users who receive unwanted attention or spam follow requests can lock the account to block automated or malicious followers.
- Small community accounts: If you run a closed group or personal account and only want known contacts as followers, locking the account ensures you approve each new follower.
- Testing or temporary accounts: When testing Mastodon features or running a short-term project, locking the account prevents random users from following.
When to Use an Unlocked Account
An unlocked account is the better choice for most users who want to grow their audience or share content publicly. Consider an unlocked account when:
- Public content creation: If you post art, writing, news, or commentary that you want as many people to see as possible, unlocked accounts remove barriers to following.
- Community building: Unlocked accounts allow users to follow you instantly, which encourages engagement and sharing.
- Federation visibility: An unlocked account appears in more search results and federated timelines, making it easier for new users to discover you.
- Low-maintenance use: If you do not want to manually approve follow requests, an unlocked account requires no daily moderation.
How to Switch Between Locked and Unlocked
You can switch the lock setting at any time from your Mastodon preferences. The change takes effect immediately.
- Open your profile preferences
Click the Preferences link in the navigation menu on the left side of the Mastodon web interface. - Navigate to the Profile section
In the left sidebar under the Preferences heading, click Profile. - Toggle the Lock account setting
Look for the checkbox labeled Lock account. Check the box to lock your account. Uncheck it to unlock your account. The change saves automatically. - Verify the change on your profile
Visit your public profile page. If the account is locked, the Follow button now shows Follow Request. If unlocked, it shows Follow.
Common Questions About Locked and Unlocked Accounts
Can I lock my account temporarily and then unlock it later?
Yes. You can toggle the lock setting as often as you want. Existing followers are not affected. Any pending follow requests remain in your queue even if you unlock the account. You must approve or reject them manually.
Does locking my account hide my existing followers from others?
No. Mastodon does not hide your follower count or follower list from other users, regardless of the lock setting. The lock only controls how new followers are added.
What happens to follow requests if I lock my account after receiving them?
Follow requests that were sent before you locked the account remain in your pending requests. You can still approve or reject them. Locking the account does not cancel pending requests.
Can I block a user who sent a follow request?
Yes. When you receive a follow request, you have three options: Approve, Reject, or Block. Blocking the user prevents them from sending future requests and hides your content from them entirely.
Locked vs Unlocked: Quick Comparison
| Item | Locked Account | Unlocked Account |
|---|---|---|
| New follower approval | Manual approval required | Automatic approval |
| Follow button label | Follow Request | Follow |
| Effect on existing followers | None | None |
| Post visibility | Public posts remain visible | Public posts remain visible |
| Best for | Private accounts, spam prevention | Public content, audience growth |
Limitations and Misconceptions
The lock account setting has a few limitations that users often misunderstand. First, locking your account does not make your profile private. Your profile picture, header image, display name, and bio remain visible to everyone. Only followers-only posts are hidden from non-followers.
Second, the lock setting does not prevent users from seeing your public posts via the federated timeline or search. If you post publicly, anyone on any Mastodon instance can see that post without following you.
Third, some Mastodon apps do not clearly distinguish between locked and unlocked accounts. A user may see a Follow button that actually sends a follow request if your account is locked. This can cause confusion, so it is a good practice to mention your locked status in your bio.
You now understand the difference between locked and unlocked Mastodon accounts and when to use each setting. To switch your account, open Preferences > Profile and toggle the Lock account checkbox. For maximum control over your audience, lock your account and post followers-only content. For maximum reach, keep your account unlocked and post publicly. The setting can be changed at any time without losing followers.