Can You See If Someone Screenshots Your Instagram Story?

When we see an Instagram Story about an enticing recipe, a new novel that’s getting rave reviews or the perfect dress for that upcoming event, it’s natural to want to screenshot it for future reference. If this is something you’ve done, you’re not alone. And the obvious questions have probably crossed your mind: Can others see if you’ve been saving their stuff? And in turn, can you see if someone screenshots your Instagram Story? Let’s be honest, we don’t always want people to see when we’ve viewed their Instagram profile—much less saved their content for our own purposes.

There are occasions, however, when you’d really like to know the level of interest in your Instagram Stories, including who took a screenshot on their iPhone. Just think back to the time you were trying to find a home for a rescue puppy or attempting to sell some items you no longer had use for. Are people even paying attention?

Keep reading to find out whether you can see if someone screenshots your Instagram Story. Then learn the signs you’ve been hacked on Instagram or blocked on Instagram. And if you don’t want your co-workers to know the personal details you share with friends, find out how to restrict them on Instagram.

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Can you see if someone screenshots your Instagram Story?

Currently, you cannot see if someone screenshots your Instagram Story. While a notification feature was available for a short time back in 2018, it’s no longer available. Instagram discontinued the notifications for privacy reasons—the viewers’ privacy, that is. That said, we all know by now that once we post something on the internet, it’s out there forever, even if we delete our original version. So savvy Instagram Storiers know that others may be taking screenshots of their content and sharing it.

What you can do, however, is see who viewed your Instagram Story. Sometimes that’s reason enough to post to Stories instead of your feed—like when you’re checking out that new restaurant with friends, hoping a certain someone will pop by if they see a photo of you having fun, your location tagged. Or imagine you’re trying to sell or rent out your house. You’d like to know how many people your Story has reached, even if you can’t see exactly who those potential buyers or renters are.

Another reason to post to Stories: The photo’s not something you want living on your feed forever, visible far into the future by anyone who visits your profile—which makes the prospect of someone keeping a screenshot of your Story a little worrying.

If you’re wondering about other ways to promote your social content, these Instagram marketing tips might be helpful.

Can you see if someone screen records your Instagram Story?

You won’t get a notification if someone screen records your Instagram Story either. But you should be aware that someone can easily record your Story using another phone or camera, so it always pays to be mindful of what you post online. Even if you decide to delete something you’ve shared, chances are someone already saw it—and potentially took a screenshot or recorded it.

If this all feels a bit stressful, what with social media making it way too easy to compare your real life to others’ perfectly packaged online lives, check out how quitting Facebook and Instagram can improve your well-being.

Can you see if someone screenshots your Instagram post?

Nope. Instagram doesn’t send a notification if someone screenshots a post. But once again, that doesn’t mean a copy isn’t safely stored in someone’s screenshots folder. If you’re curious about the numbers, what you can do is create a business profile, which will give you access to visitor data. The information includes the number of profile visitors in the past seven days and the number of post views.

Now, if you’d love to come up with creative captions for your social posts, check out these fantastic friend, dog and selfie captions—and feel free to steal them!

Can you see if someone screenshots your Instagram Reels?

The platform won’t send you a notification if users screenshot your Instagram Reel, but you should assume it’s a possibility. What’s more, the moment-in-time they capture might be less than flattering, leaving your inner perfectionist unsettled if that image gets replicated and shared.

That said, most Instagram Reels have a purpose, such as sharing information or educating on a specific topic. Since Reels are short and it’s not always possible to read all their info within seconds, there may be no choice but to take a screenshot. No need to worry, though, as folks can’t see if you’ve taken a screenshot of their Instagram Reels.

Does Instagram ever notify you about screenshots?

You won’t get an actual pop-up notification, but Instagram does let the original poster know if a screenshot is taken specifically of a disappearing photo or video in a DM. Photos and videos taken by the camera within the messaging app will disappear after one or two views, depending on user settings before sending the content.

Regardless of whether the poster allows one view or an additional replay, if someone takes a screenshot of the content, the poster will see a tiny star-like symbol next to the sent photo or video. If you’re that poster, check the chat tab, where you can see the list of people you’ve talked to. You’ll see a “screenshot” message appearing under the Instagram handle of the person who took the screenshot.

How can you take a screenshot without being detected?

Now that you know users aren’t notified if someone takes a screenshot of their Instagram Stories, posts, Reels or permanent photos and videos within DMs, you don’t have to sweat about anyone finding out that you did. So if you want to remember that recipe or book title, screenshot away—and don’t feel bad about it.

And if you do want to keep a copy of disappearing photos or videos sent to your DMs, there are ways to do it without getting busted:

• Take a photo of your phone screen with another camera: This is the easiest and safest option if you don’t want to awaken at night worried someone can see that you screenshot from their Instagram.
• Use airplane mode: If you take a screenshot while your phone is in airplane mode, the poster won’t be notified, as you’re not connected to the internet.
• Open Instagram in your web browser: Instagram only indicates screenshots within the app, not in the browser window.

In short, can you see if someone screenshots your Instagram story? Nope, but they can’t see if you take a screenshot either. Next, find out how to quietly block someone on Instagram without being detected (no judgment).

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