How do you know when someone screenshots your instagram

The defining feature of Instagram Stories is that they disappear after 24 hours. But what happens if you love a story so much you want to save it to view later?

You take a screenshot, of course. We’ve all been there before: screenshotting an Instagram story and hoping that the person who posted it won’t know. (Thankfully there are ways to view an IG story without the person knowing).

But you may not want the user to know that you’ve taken a screenshot of their Instagram Story. Will they know about it?

The short answer in 2021 is: no, they won’t know if you took a screenshot. 

And there don’t seem to be any indications or rumors that this will change in 2022 either.

Here’s the longer answer regarding IG’s story screenshot history:

Instagram’s Defunct Screenshot Alert Feature

The concept of disappearing posts was first introduced by Snapchat, and people used that feature to send private messages or post information they didn’t want preserved. So when other users screenshotted their posts, this could violate their privacy.

Because of this issue, in February 2018, Instagram introduced a feature that would alert a user when a follower had taken a screenshot of their story.

When a user took a screenshot, a little starburst icon would appear next to their username in your Story stats.

What Instagram didn’t anticipate was that IG users didn’t actually mind people screenshotting their Stories. To most users, the advantage of disappearing Stories wasn’t privacy, it was the dynamic nature of the feature: that they could upload fresh content without creating a cluttered, cumbersome feed.

So IG users protested the feature, and in June of 2018, Instagram removed it.

So no one will know if you screenshot an Instagram Story in 2021 and 2022?

As of October 2021, no one will know. Screenshot anything on Instagram to your heart’s content! Your Instagram story screenshot will be kept a complete secret!

Warning! Instagram does indeed notify about certain screenshots:

• Instagram screenshots can indeed trigger notifications within a private DM for any disappearing photos or videos. So, be aware that if you screenshot a disappearing photo in a DM, your sender may be well aware.
• Instagram is known it change their rules and procedures at various junctures, so be sure to check back for more information in case of an update.

Instagram stories are one of the number one ways to post content on the app, but can you see if someone has screenshotted your story? Likewise, does Instagram notify someone when you screenshot their story? Here’s what you need to know.

Despite TikTok continuing to climb in popularity and becoming one of the most used social media apps, Instagram still remains a staple in many people’s internet routines.

Instagram launched the stories feature in 2016, inspired by Snapchat, allowing users to upload an image that lasts only 24 hours, an alternative to the usual grid picture.

For many, it serves as one of the key ways for people and creators to update their friends, fans, and followers about their lives, and is still one of the app’s most popular features.

Unsplash: Claudio Schwarz

Instagram remains a hugely popular social media platform.

You sometimes may find yourself needing to screenshot someone else’s story for whatever reason, or perhaps you’re wondering whether someone has screenshotted yours. But is that a feature that’s available on Instagram?

Can you see if someone screenshotted your Instagram story?

No, Instagram currently will not notify you if your story has been screenshotted. Equally, others will not be able to see whether you have screenshotted their story.

However, it is worth noting that there are certain features on Instagram that have different rules. For example, if you try to screenshot something sent over Vanish Mode, the other person will be notified, so it’s best to be careful with what you choose to screenshot on the app.

Although Instagram has previously briefly tested a feature that allowed people to see who screenshotted their story back in 2018, it’s not clear whether they have any plans to add it back in the future.

Is there an Instagram screenshot notification?

While Instagram doesn’t notify users if their story has been screenshotted, this doesn’t apply to Instagram DMs.

If someone sends you a disappearing video or photo in your DMs and you screenshot it, the sender will be notified. However, this only applies to disappearing content in Instagram DMs. Screenshotting a story, post or reel, will not result in any notifications.

So, there you have it — everything you need to know about Instagram story screenshot notifications.

If you want to know more about how to use Instagram, you can check out our other guides here:

How to link your Instagram account to TikTok | How to see your first-liked Instagram post | How to switch Instagram feed to chronological order | How to re-share a post to your Story on Instagram | How to make money on Instagram | How to hide likes on Instagram