How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

  • Instagram screenshots only trigger notifications for disappearing photos or videos in private DM threads.
  • Notifications aren't sent for screenshots of Instagram stories, posts, or reels. 
  • Screenshot notifications have changed in the past and may again, so make sure to check from time to time.

Maybe you want to screenshot a friend's story about your birthday to save it in your camera roll, or screenshot a recipe someone posted so you can make it later.

Whether you're screenshotting (or screen recording) a story, a post, or even a reel, Instagram does not notify the other user that you have screenshotted their content. 

But, when you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent to you via direct message, 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 screenshots on 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.

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 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.

When someone screenshots a disappearing photo or video you sent, a small hatched circle will appear beside it.

If you screenshot a disappearing DM, this hatched circle icon will appear. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

Screenshots will also be notified in the conversation summary on your main messages page, where you'll see the note "Screenshot."

You can also see if someone took a screenshot on the messages main screen. Grace Eliza Goodwin/Insider

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. 

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.

Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.

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Your Quick Answer:

You can take screenshots of Instagram DM without notifying the person about it. But to do that, you’ve to take the help of some tricks and techniques.

The best way is to take the screenshots by turning on airplane mode. You need to uninstall the app and reinstall it again after taking screenshots using this method.

The mod versions of Instagram like Instagram++ or GB Instagram don’t send notifications to the person if someone takes screenshots of chats with them on Instagram.

You can also log in to your account on the Instagram website from your PC to take screenshots of DMs. As Instagram web doesn’t send notifications about screenshots taken of DMs, you can take the help of this method to capture screenshots of DMs without the person getting notifications about it.

You can even use any screen recording application to record the whole chat and save it. Then you can pause the video to capture screenshots of the messages.

You can follow certain ways to know if someone muted your DM on Instagram.

  • How To Screenshot Instagram DM Without Them Knowing:
    • 1. Screenshot with Airplane Mode:
    • 2. Instagram ++ or GB Instagram:
    • 🔯 Can I Take Screenshots of Instagram DM from PC?
    • 🔯 How To Record Instagram Chat?

Try the following methods:

1. Screenshot with Airplane Mode:

If you turn on the Airplane mode before taking the screenshots of any Direct Messages and then uninstall the Instagram app to reinstall it again, it won’t send a notification to the user and you will not get caught.

Instagram has this feature where it notifies a person when you take screenshots of the chats with the user in the DM.

However, if you follow this method of turning on the airplane mode of your device before taking a screenshot and then uninstalling the app to reinstall it again, then Instagram wouldn’t be able to send notifications to the user about the screenshots. It is because when the device is on airplane mode, the Instagram server won’t be able to update the action of taking screenshots.

The server can only update your activities and actions when the device is connected to a data or WiFi connection. After taking the screenshots you will uninstall the app while the device is still on airplane mode so that the server never gets to update your actions of taking screenshots. 

After uninstalling the app, you can turn off airplane mode and re-install the Instagram app again.

🔴 Steps To Follow:

Here are the steps that you need to follow to apply this technique correctly:

Step 1: Open the Instagram application on your device.

Step 2: Next, click on the message icon to enter the DM section of the Instagram app.

Step 3: Click on the particular chat whose screenshot you want to take.

Step 4: Next, you’ll need to turn off your mobile data or wifi connection as well as turn on the airplane mode of the device from the top panel.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 5: Then take the screenshots of the chat.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 6: Uninstall the Instagram app.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 7: Next, turn off the airplane mode and then connect your device to a wifi or data connection.

Step 8: Head on to Google Play Store or App Store and then search for the Instagram application.

Next, install the Instagram application again on your device to use it.

2. Instagram ++ or GB Instagram:

You can also use the mod applications of Instagram like GB Instagram and Instagram++. These apps can skip the features of notifying people when someone takes screenshots of their message on Instagram.

Unlike the official Instagram application that notifies users when you take screenshots of their chats in the DM section,  Instagram++ or GB Instagram which are modified versions of Instagram don’t send any notifications and have skipped this feature.

⭐️ Features:

Here you’ll be able to know the different features of GB Instagram and the steps to use it:

This modified version of Instagram named GB Instagram has an interface that is very much similar to the original Instagram app, however, it offers you more exciting and exclusive features that are not available on the official Instagram application.

◘ You can save every picture that you see on the posts and stories.

◘ It allows you to save the reel videos in your gallery.

◘ View Instagram story anonymously.

◘ Turn off the read receipt of DMs. You can use your account while staying in ghost mode.

◘ You can also turn off the typing status that shows while you’re typing a message to someone on Instagram.

◘ You’ll also be able to copy the bios of other users.

◘ The app allows you to save the audio sent by other people on your DMs.

🔴 Steps To Follow:

Step 1: You’ve to download the GB Instagram application on your mobile from the internet. As the app isn’t available on Google Play Store or App Store, you’ll need to download it directly from the web.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 2: Next, install the application after enabling the installation from unknown sources, and then log in to your Instagram account.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 3: You’ll need to click on the message icon that’s on the top right corner of the screen.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 4: Next, click on the person’s chat whose screenshot you’ll take.

Take the screenshot and the app won’t notify the person about it.

🔯 Can I Take Screenshots of Instagram DM from PC?

You can also use your PC to take screenshots of Instagram DM. You’ve to use the official Instagram website to log in to your account. Unlike the official Instagram application, when you take a screenshot on the web Instagram from a PC, it doesn’t notify the person about it. You can take screenshots of the whole screen of your PC by pressing the PrtSc key on your keyboard.

Here are the steps that you need to follow to use web Instagram on PC for taking screenshots of DM:

Step 1: On your computer, open Google Chrome or any other browser.

Step 2: Search for the Instagram web and get to the official website of Instagram.

Step 3: You’ll need to login into your account using your username and password.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 4: Next, on the top right corner of your screen, you’ll be able to see a few icons. Click on the Message icon to enter the DM section.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 5: On the left section of the screen, you’ll be able to see the different chats you’ve had with other users. Click on the chat whose screenshots you want to take.

Step 6: The chat screen will open up at the right section of the screen.

Step 7: On the keyboard click on the PrtSc key to take screenshots of the whole screen of your desktop.

It will be automatically saved on your PC’s photos folder.

🔯 How To Record Instagram Chat?

Another technique you can apply to screenshot Instagram chats is by using a screen recorder. The screen recorder will record your whole chat in a video and after you save it to your device’s gallery, you can take screenshots of the chats from the video.

This is the best indirect technique you can apply by using third-party screen recording applications. You can search for Screen Recorder on Google Play Store or App Store. It will display you with tons of screen recording applications.

However, the best screen recorder app that you can use is the XRecorder. It offers you smooth and high-quality screen recording from which you can take clear screenshots of the Instagram chats.

Here are the steps to use XRecorder:

Step 1: Download and install the XRecorder application on your device.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 2: Next, open the application, it will show you the features of the app and how you can control it.

Step 3: Click on Allow to grant the app access to your files, photos, and media.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 4: Next, click on the orange + icon.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 5: Then click on Record Video.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 6: Next,  you’ll need to click on Ok and then click on Start Now.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 7: The app will start recording everything that’s going on the screen at the countdown from 3 to 1.

How to screenshot on instagram dm without them knowing

Step 8: Head on to the Instagram application.

Step 9: Open the DM section by clicking on the message icon and then clicking on the chat that you want to record.

Step 10: After the screen recording is done,  slide down the top panel and click on Stop.

Step 11: Head on to the Gallery, click and open the screen recording video and play it.

Pause the video whenever required to take screenshots of the chats from it.

The Bottom Lines:

You can also use the mod versions of Instagram like Instagram++ or GB Instagram to screenshot DMs. Even using your PC to take screenshots of the DMs from the Instagram website is another clever way to avoid the person knowing about it. You can also use screen recording apps to record the chats and then take screenshots from the video.

Also Read:

Can I screenshot Instagram DM without them knowing?

When does Instagram notify that a screenshot has been taken? Instagram will only notify you for a screenshot taken of 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.

How do you take a secret screenshot on Instagram?

Open the Instagram app and wait for the Story to load..
Turn on Airplane mode. ... .
Go back to the Instagram app, tap on the Story that you want, and take a screenshot..
On Android, force quit the Instagram app before disabling Airplane mode..

How do you screenshot on Instagram without them knowing 2022?

You end up worrying if the user is able to see that you've screenshotted their story and the same question keeps playing in your mind: Will they know? In short, the answer is no. If you take a screenshot the person who posted it will not be alerted through the Instagram story screenshot notification 2022.

How do you screenshot on Instagram without them knowing 2021?

Follow these steps to get the job done:.
Launch the Instagram app, go to the Instagram Story of which you want to take a screenshot. ... .
Turn on Airplane Mode. ... .
Now, go to the Instagram app, click on the Story you want to take a screenshot. ... .
After taking a screenshot and wait for a while, Quit the Instagram app..