Does Instagram notify someone when you take a screenshot? How to find out for stories, posts, and mo

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  • Instagram notifies screenshots for Vanish mode and disappearing photos in private DM threads.
  • Notifications aren't sent for screenshots of Instagram stories, posts, or reels. 
  • To avoid being detected for a screenshot, open Instagram in a web browser or turn on airplane mode. 

Taking a screenshot (or making a screen recording) of an Instagram story, a post, or even a reel doesn't usually notify the creator. 

There are a couple of exceptions: When you screenshot a conversation made using Vanish mode or screenshot a disappearing photo or video, Instagram does notify the sender of the message.

Here's everything you need to know about taking screenshots or screen recordings on Instagram.

Does Instagram notify when screenshotting a story?

Though Instagram used to notify the creator about screenshots of stories, it no longer does. It is possible that Instagram's screenshot notification policy could change again, so it's a good idea to double-check.

If it's important to you that no one secretly takes a screenshot of your post without your permission, you can hide your instagram story from certain people so they don't have the chance to see it or capture a screenshot.

Does Instagram notify when screenshotting a post?

As with stories, Instagram does not send a notification when you take a screenshot of someone's post.

When does Instagram notify that a screenshot has been taken?

Instagram will only notify you for a screenshot taken of a message in Vanish mode or a disappearing photo or video sent in a private DM thread. Instagram does not notify screenshots for stories, posts, reels, permanent DMs, or any other content on the app.

If you take a screenshot in Vanish mode, the message "[your username] took a screenshot" will appear inline with the conversation. 

If you try to screenshot a conversation in Vanish mode, a notification appears inline within the chat. Dave Johnson/Insider

If you take a screenshot of a disappearing photo or video, a small circle will appear beside it for both you and the other person.

A small hatched circle appears beside a disappearing image on Instagram. Dave Johnson/Insider

If you want to preserve an image or video without screenshotting it, you might want to bookmark it instead. Find the post that includes the image and then tap the Bookmark icon. You can later find it by tapping the three-line menu and choosing Saved. 

Quick tip: If you are not seeing notifications about screenshots that you believe have happened, check our list of ways to fix Instagram notifications when they're not working properly. 

What to know about screenshotting Instagram DMs

A disappearing photo or video is one that you take using the camera within the Instagram message window. 

The message "disappears" because the other user can only view it once (or twice if you allow replay). Instagram will notify you if someone screenshots a disappearing DM.

Quick tip: When you send someone a photo or video from your phone's camera roll, on the other hand, this is not a disappearing message, and thus you will not be notified if someone screenshots it.

You can also screenshot other content in a direct chat — like individual messages, conversation history, and posts sent back and forth — without the other person being notified.

How to avoid being detected for an Instagram screenshot

While these methods will avoid the screenshot notification, you should never use or share someone's image, sensitive content, or personal information without their consent.

  • Open Instagram in a web browser: If you log onto Instagram in a web browser on your computer, and go to your direct messages, you can take a screenshot of a disappearing photo or video without the person knowing. Instagram does not notify screenshots taken in a web browser.
  • Put your phone in airplane mode: If you screenshot the disappearing photo or video while your phone is in airplane mode, the other party will not be notified of the screenshot. 
  • Use another camera or device: Of course, you can also take a picture of your screen using another device, though this may not yield the best quality.
Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less

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