Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot? The Truth Revealed

Instagram started off in 2010 as a photo-sharing app but has quickly become a popular social network with over 2 billion active users. Through this platform, it is possible to have dynamic interactions and share ideas. With Instagram, you can also keep connected to your friends through stories of your recent adventures or by promoting your brand name.

Screenshots have become increasingly popular for saving content from Instagram especially now that stories disappear within 24 hours. Taking screenshots is nothing strange as it allows people to go back and take another look at something useful or inspiring.

However, questions linger: Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story, post, profile, or DM? This article will answer this question fully.

Instagram reels interface.

Part 1. Instagram Notification Troubleshooting: Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot

On Instagram, it’s hard to tell when the notifications are sent when you screenshot. So, does Instagram notify when you screenshot? Let us break this down:

#1. Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a story

Most people want to know if taking a screenshot of a story will let the person who uploaded it know. The short answer is no, Instagram does not inform users when you take a screenshot of a Story. Although Instagram tested this feature, it has not been implemented.

Suppose you find a friend’s holiday story that you would like to collect as travel inspiration; just screenshot without fearing that they will be alerted.

#2. Does Instagram notify when you screenshot direct messages

You might ask “Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a DM”

Yes, Instagram sends some notifications in different circumstances. If you screenshot a disappearing photo or video within a Direct Message (DM), the sender will be aware. Disappearing photos are pictures or videos taken by using the camera within DMs that vanish after being viewed.

If you take a screenshot of the disappearing photo or video on someone’s DM, a little circle will appear next to it to show that it was taken. This is how it will look.


 A screenshot of the disappearing photo or video on someone’s DM.

Likewise, if you take a screenshot of a conversation in vanish mode then Instagram will send a notification. Here is how it looks


A screenshot of a conversation in vanish mode.

However, normal stuff like text messages, feed posts, or non-disappearing images sent via DM does not send a notification. For instance, one can take screenshots of a friend’s meme or article shared via dm without any notifications.

#3. Does Instagram notify when you screenshot photo or video posts

Instagram is full of creative photos and videos, so one might be tempted to take screenshots of these incredible moments. Some users are curious and want the answer to the question “Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a post.

The good news is that photo or video post screenshots on Instagram do not prompt any notification. So the answer is NO.

As such posts are meant for public viewing, Instagram has no measures against screenshots. Therefore, you can comfortably save these images as possible sources of inspiration without alerting the initial poster.

#4. Does Instagram notify when you screenshot profiles

No, Instagram doesn't report whenever you screenshot a profile. This will be especially helpful in cases where you want to quickly save someone’s contact information or bio without following them. For instance, there may exist a profile with an intriguing summary or business details you might want to revisit again later on.

Set your profile to private if privacy is a concern. Then only approved followers can view and potentially print screen your info.

#5. When does Instagram notify that a screenshot has been taken

As explained earlier, a user does not receive a notification from Instagram about screenshotting stories, posts, or profiles, save for some instances.

However, Instagram sends notifications when someone takes a screenshot of a message you sent in Vanish mode, which is designed for temporary and private messaging. Additionally, if someone screenshots a disappearing photo or video sent via Direct Message, you'll be alerted. These are the two scenarios where Instagram notifies that a screenshot has been taken.

Part 2. How to Screenshot on Instagram without Them Knowing [4 Methods]

With the increasing emphasis on online privacy, it's possible that Instagram could introduce a screenshot notification feature for posts, stories, reels, and profiles in the future. To stay ahead, you might want to learn how to screenshot someone's Instagram content without them knowing. Below are four methods to achieve this.

Method 1. Use Instagram Spy app

If one wants to secretly capture another person’s Instagram profile snapshot then an app like Msafely comes in handy. Msafely allows you to monitor various activities on another person's device without them knowing.

What is Msafely

Msafely is a powerful monitoring app that helps you spy on someone else's device activities in secret. It gives real-time updates and operates behind the scenes without the knowledge of the monitored person.

It has a control panel that refreshes every second. This is a very handy tool if you want to screenshot someone's Instagram profile without them knowing.


                Screenshot of Msafely homepage.

Key features of Msafely

These are many features of Msafely which lets you screenshot someone’s Instagram profile without them knowing. Here are some of the features.

  • Data encryption

This feature guarantees data confidentiality and integrity hence making monitoring more secure.

  • Compatibility

Regular updates ensure compatibility with major iOS and Android devices including those with new versions.

  • Photo and video viewing

Allows one to see all stored pictures and videos in the targeted device.

  • Real-time monitoring of social media apps

With this, you can watch WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram among others.

  • Browser history viewing

Opens up all browsing history records.

  • Tracking text messages

Monitors both incoming and outgoing text messages including deleted ones.

  • Monitor installed applications

With Msafely, you can monitor installed applications, their sizes, when they were created, and what version they are.

Steps to use Msafely to screenshot on Instagram without them knowing

Follow these steps to screenshot someone’s Instagram without them knowing with Msafely;

Step 1. Sign up free

Register a free account on the Msafely website using a valid email address.


Register a free account.

Step 2. Select target phone

Select the type of phone you want to monitor, Android or iPhone.


Choose the target phone.

Step 3. Start monitoring

Log into the Msafely Control Panel to begin monitoring the preferred device. With Msafely, you can remotely monitor SMS, location, call logs, WhatsApp, Instagram and more than 30 kinds of data on other people's cell phone.


The Android dashboard of Msafely.

Method 2. Take screenshots in Airplane Mode

This is simply a way that does not get you caught by Instagram. When your phone is on Airplane mode, it does not register any activity and you can further safeguard privacy by shutting down the Instagram app forcibly.

Steps to Take Screenshots in Airplane Mode:

Step 1. Open Instagram

Go directly to direct messages or whatever content that you want to screenshot

Step 2. Turn on Airplane Mode

Swipe down from the top of your phone screen to open the menu, then toggle ON the airplane mode switch.


Turn on Flight Mode.

Step 3. Capture screenshot

Press a combination of buttons on your cell phone (you can press the down volume and power volume together to screenshot) or install a separate app whose purpose is capturing shots from the display

Step 1. Force stop Instagram

Go to Settings, then click Apps, then scroll down and click Instagram


Instagram app.

Step 2. Tap ‘Force Stop’


Tap Force Stop button.

Step 3. Turn off Airplane Mode

Finally, turn OFF ‘Airplane’ mode before continuing with your activities on Instagram

Method 3. Open Instagram web browser

There is another simple way of screenshotting Instagram content without sending any notifications using the Instagram web browser.

Step 1. Sign in to your Instagram account through your computer.

Step 2. You can always screenshot someone's Instagram profile, or story, or post on your computer.

In case you use a disappearing photo or video from the web version of Instagram it won’t show that you took a screenshot.

However, bear in mind that although this method works currently, in the future it may be possible for Instagram to add web screenshotting alerts to its policies

Method 4. Use another phone to take pictures

This method is all about taking photos of what you see on your Instagram app through another phone.

Open your phone’s Instagram and find what you would like to save. Take pictures using the second phone camera to capture the content on the screen

For example, If you want to keep a memory of a friend’s disappearing message without them knowing, snapping a photo with another device ensures Instagram doesn't detect your activity. While the image quality might not match a direct screenshot, it effectively bypasses Instagram's notification system and gets the job done discreetly.

Part 3. FAQs about Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot

Q1. Is it possible to get a notification if someone screenshots my Instagram photo or video?

Instagram does not notify users of screenshots taken on photos and videos posted on the feed. You can save images or videos from posts there without receiving a single alert.

Q2. When can I receive notifications for screenshots on Instagram?

Instagram notifies you only when disappearing direct message photos, videos and Vanish mode items are screenshots.

Q3. Can I take a screenshot of an Instagram Reel without being caught?

Yes, the person who created the reels will not be notified if you capture a screenshot. The app does not monitor and send out alerts for Reels’ screenshots.

Q4. Will stories have screenshot alerts in the future according to Instagram?

Instagram tested this feature briefly in 2018 before discontinuing it. Currently, there is no official word on story screenshot notifications returning.

Q5. Do you get notified when you screenshot stuff from the Explore page on Instagram?

No, users are not alerted by Instagram when they take a screenshot of anything from their Explore page. Feel free to take any content without fear of being detected.

Part 4. Conclusion

Understanding how Instagram's screenshot notification works will help you use Instagram more confidently.

While Instagram does not notify users when you screenshot stories, profiles, or posts, it does alert senders if you screenshot disappearing messages or content in Vanish mode. This balance allows for both privacy and freedom to save content you find inspiring or useful. However, it's essential to stay updated as Instagram may change its policies in the future.

It is clear therefore that regardless of whether you are just a general user of Instagram or an influencer who constantly posts captivating stuff on the social media site; understanding Instagram’s screenshot notifications would enable wiser choices about all your interactions on this particular platform.