diff --git a/packages/@ember/application/lib/application.js b/packages/@ember/application/lib/application.js
index be2ad92d030..fc7ffe290f5 100644
--- a/packages/@ember/application/lib/application.js
+++ b/packages/@ember/application/lib/application.js
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ const Application = Engine.extend({
   /**
     Create an ApplicationInstance for this application.
 
-    @private
+    @public
     @method buildInstance
     @return {ApplicationInstance} the application instance
   */
diff --git a/packages/@ember/engine/index.js b/packages/@ember/engine/index.js
index 86a950d17b3..55eab170c0e 100644
--- a/packages/@ember/engine/index.js
+++ b/packages/@ember/engine/index.js
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ const Engine = Namespace.extend(RegistryProxyMixin, {
   /**
     Create an EngineInstance for this engine.
 
-    @private
+    @public
     @method buildInstance
     @return {EngineInstance} the engine instance
   */