As we all knows Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, which allowing users to share their moments through Stories, posts, and DMs. But most of the peoples have one query that rotates in their minds of many Instagram users is: Can you tell How to Know If Someone Screenshots Your Instagram Story? If you’ve ever wondered whether Instagram notifies you when someone takes a quick screenshot of your Story, this guide will break it down for you.
Does Instagram Notify You About Story Screenshots?
The short answer is: No, Instagram never notified you when someone or any Instagram user screenshots your Story. Unlike Snapchat, which has this feature which alerts Snapchat users when someone takes Snaps or Stories are screenshotted, Instagram has yet to introduce such a notification system.
However, Instagram does notify users about screenshots in specific scenarios. Let’s take a closer look at those situations.
When Does Instagram Notify You About Screenshots?
While Instagram Stories remain screenshot-friendly without notifications, there are cases where Instagram does alert you about screenshots:
- By Removing Photos and Videos in DMs
- If you send a disappearing photo or video through Instagram or Direct Message (DM), and the recipient takes a screenshot of that message, then Instagram will notified you with a small icon next to their name in the chat.
- This feature applies only to media set to “View Once” or “Allow Replay.” Regular chat conversations, including text messages and non-disappearing media, do not trigger notifications.
- Instagram Experimented with Story Screenshot Alerts (But Removed It)
- In early 2018, Instagram briefly tested a feature that notified users when someone screenshotted their Stories. However, this feature was discontinued due to user feedback.
- Since then, Instagram has not reintroduced this functionality.
How to Know If Someone Screenshots Your Instagram Story
Since Instagram doesn’t notify users about Story screenshots, is there any way to tell? Here are some indirect methods:
1. Check Who Viewed Your Story
- While you won’t see a “screenshot” icon, you can check who viewed your Story.
- If you notice someone consistently viewing your Stories but never interacting (liking, commenting, or replying), they might be taking screenshots instead.
2. Look for Reposts on Other Platforms
- If someone screenshots your Story, they might reshare the content elsewhere, like on their Instagram account, Twitter, or WhatsApp status.
- If your content appears in places you didn’t post it, chances are someone screenshotted and shared it.
3. Ask the Person Directly
- If you suspect someone took a screenshot of your Story, you can ask them directly. They may admit it, especially if they had a good reason (e.g., saving an inspirational quote or a funny moment).
4. Use Third-Party Apps with Caution
- Some apps claim to notify you when someone screenshots your Instagram Story, but be cautious. Instagram does not officially support such apps, and many of them violate Instagram’s privacy policies, potentially putting your account at risk.
How to Prevent Others from Taking Screenshots of Your Stories
Since there’s no direct way to know when someone screenshots your Story, the best approach is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here’s how:
1. By Make Your Account Private
- By switching your Instagram account to private, only your approved followers can view your Stories, reducing the chances of unwanted screenshots.
- To do this:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy
- Toggle on Private Account
2. Limit Story Visibility
- By Use Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature on your iPhone to share Stories only with people you trust.
- To use this feature:
- Before posting a Story, tap Close Friends instead of “Your Story.”
3. Block or Restrict Suspicious Users
- If you suspect someone is taking screenshots of your Stories without permission, you can block or restrict them.
- To block:
- Go to their profile > Tap the three dots > Select Block
- To restrict:
- Now Go to their profile > Tap the three dots > Select Restrict
4. Watermark or Brand Your Content
- If you’re concerned about people misusing your content, consider adding a watermark or your username to your Stories. That way, even if someone screenshots and reposts it, your branding remains intact.
5. Use Expiring Stories (Instagram Highlights Alternative)
- Instead of posting sensitive or important content on your main Story, consider using other tools like Close Friends Stories or external apps that create temporary story-like posts with expiration settings.
Final Thoughts
Currently, Instagram does not give you a notification when someone takes a screenshot of your Story. But the platform does give a notification for the disappearing message in DM. There is no way currently to know who has taken a screenshot of your Story but you can try some tricks such as paying attention to your viewers, checking for reposts, or changing the privacy settings.
If you are concerned about privacy then the measures that can be taken include making the account private, using the close friends list and limiting the people who can view your content. Up to now, the only way to make your Stories more private is to be careful who you let watch them. Do you want Instagram to create a feature that will notify you when your story has been screenshot? Share your ideas!
