Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story?
As of 2025, Instagram does not notify users when someone takes a screenshot of their Stories. This policy has remained consistent since Instagram discontinued a brief test of screenshot notifications in 2018 due to negative user feedback.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot an Instagram Story?
The answer to this is no. The user will absolutely not receive any notification if you decide to screenshot someone’s story.
Screenshotting a story may make some more sense since Instagram stories do not last forever. As we are aware, stories only last 24 hours so if you want to be able to access that content longer than that allotted time, then you can screenshot without a soul knowing!
Even if you are on someone’s ‘Close Friends’ list and they post a story, they still will not receive a notification if you screenshot.
When Instagram Sends Screenshot Notifications
While you can freely screenshot Stories, posts, Reels, profiles, and standard direct messages without alerting the content creator, there are specific scenarios where Instagram does notify users:
- Disappearing Photos or Videos in Direct Messages: If you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent via Instagram Direct, the sender will be notified.
- Vanish Mode Messages: Screenshots taken in Vanish Mode, where messages disappear after being seen, will trigger a notification to the sender.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot an Instagram Profile?
Nope! Screenshotting Instagram profiles are also in the clear to screenshot. Some may want to screenshot a profile and send it to a non-Instagram user or want to send what the profile appears as right in the moment.
But, for example, if you find the Instagram Profile of a new restaurant in your area and want to send it to your friend you can either screenshot the profile or send it by:
- Clicking the three lines on the top right-hand corner of the profile
- Choose either copy profile or share profile
- If you copy it, it will copy as a link that you can send via text
- If you share the profile you will then type the username you want to send it to
Privacy Measures for Users
For those concerned about their content being screenshotted:
- Private Accounts: Switching to a private account ensures that only approved followers can view your content.
- Close Friends List: Sharing Stories with a curated list limits visibility to trusted individuals.
- Restricting or Blocking Users: You can restrict or block users to prevent them from viewing your content.
It’s important to note that while these measures enhance privacy, they do not prevent approved followers from taking screenshots.
Caution Against Third-Party Apps
Be wary of third-party applications claiming to notify you of screenshots taken of your content. Instagram’s privacy policies prevent such apps from accessing this information, and using them could compromise your account security.
If you want to screenshot basically any piece of content on Instagram, you are pretty much clear to do so!
