Have you ever taken a screenshot on Instagram and immediately wondered, does Instagram notify the other person? You’re not alone. Many users are concerned about whether their screenshot activity is private or if Instagram alerts others when they capture posts, stories, or messages. Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot?
The short answer: It depends. Instagram does not notify users when you screenshot posts, profiles, or stories, but it does notify them in certain types of direct messages (DMs). Lets take a look at the specific cases when Instagram will and will not notify others when you screenshot.
1. Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story?
No, Instagram does not notify users when you screenshot a story. In the past, Instagram experimented with this feature in 2018, but it was discontinued. Today, you can freely screenshot Instagram stories without worrying about alerts.
However, if you're looking to save an Instagram story without taking a direct screenshot, you might want to consider blurring certain details for privacy reasons. Our guide on how to blur PNG can help if you need to conceal sensitive information.
2. Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Post?
No, Instagram does not notify users when you take a screenshot of a post. Whether it's a feed post, a carousel, or a reel, you can capture it without triggering any notifications.
If you ever need to edit or clean up an Instagram post screenshot before sharing it elsewhere, you can use tools like our cleanup pictures guide to remove unwanted elements.
3. Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a DM?
Yes, but only in specific cases.
- For disappearing photos/videos in DMs: If someone sends you a vanishing photo or video (one that disappears after being viewed), Instagram will notify them if you screenshot it. A small screenshot icon appears next to the message in the chat.
- For regular text messages and media in DMs: If you take a screenshot of a regular text conversation, images, or videos that don’t disappear, Instagram will not notify the other person.
If you ever need to blur out sensitive text in a DM screenshot before sharing it, check out our guide on how to blur text.
How to Take Instagram Screenshots Without Being Detected
If you're trying to capture a disappearing message without triggering a notification, here are some workarounds:
- Use Airplane Mode: Open the DM, turn on airplane mode, take the screenshot, then close the app before turning the internet back on.
- Use Another Device: Take a picture of the screen using another phone or camera.
- Screen Recording (for videos): Instagram currently does not detect screen recordings in DMs.
Need to remove text from an Instagram screenshot before sharing it? Our guide on removing text from images can help.
What About Instagram Story Downloaders?
Some third-party apps claim to let you download Instagram stories without detection. However, these violate Instagram’s terms of service and could compromise your account security. A safer option is to simply screenshot the story and, if needed, reduce the image size before saving or sharing it. You can even resize an image to 20KB, 50KB, or 100KB for optimized sharing.
Final Answer: Can You Screenshot on Instagram Without Others Knowing?
✅ You CAN screenshot Instagram posts, profiles, and stories without anyone knowing.
⚠️ You CANNOT screenshot disappearing DMs without triggering a notification.
If you’re concerned about privacy when sharing screenshots, consider blurring sensitive details or removing unwanted text before posting them online.
Now that you know the answer, will you screenshot with confidence or think twice before capturing a disappearing DM?
