Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot?

Have you ever gone to take a screenshot of a piece of content on Instagram and then took a step back and wondered if the user that you are screenshotting from will get a notification? 

Let’s be honest, we all have wanted to screenshot something off of Instagram to no matter your reasoning behind it. There are a handful of types of content that you can post on Instagram from posts to reels, to stories, to direct messages. We will answer whether or not you can screenshot every piece of content on Instagram. 

Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot an Instagram Post? 

Let’s say one of your followers posted a photo in a gorgeous outfit that you want to replicate, but you do not necessarily want them to know. Let’s find out if you are in the clear to screenshot a post on Instagram. 

The answer is no, nobody will receive a notification when you screenshot any post on Instagram. 

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. 

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

Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot an Instagram DM? 

So this is where it gets tricky… a notification may be sent to the user you are DMing if they send you a piece of media. This is known as vanishing media on Instagram. Vanish mode is primarily used for privacy and security purposes. The user has to turn this setting on so if it is on and you screenshot something, the answer is yes, they will receive a notification. 

Other Options Besides Screenshotting

Aside from screenshotting, Instagram offers a few other ways to share content. These ways include: 

Share to…

On Instagram, you can choose to share the content with someone. When you click share to, you can share it via airdrop, messenger, mail, other social media platforms, notes, and more. To share all you have to do is: 

• Find the post you want to share and click on the triangle at the bottom of the post 
• Click on Share to  
• And choose the outlet you’d like to share it to 

Copy Link 

Instead of screenshotting you can also just choose to copy the link. All you have to do is click the triangle and click ‘copy link.’ The link will be copied and you can paste it wherever you’d like! 

If you want to screenshot basically any piece of content on Instagram, you are pretty much clear to do so! 

If you want to utilize Instagram Stories more in your social media strategy, be sure to take a look at our blog on Instagram Stories below: 

sophie , 01 December 2023