Instagram Screenshot Notifications Explained: Does IG Notify When You Screenshot a Story?

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An easy-to-follow guide for Instagram's screenshot notifications

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 10, 2023

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When does Instagram notify that someone took a screenshot?

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How will I know if someone screenshotted my disappearing DM?

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FAQ

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How do I take screenshots without the other person knowing?

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Video

When does Instagram notify that someone took a screenshot? Does IG notify when someone screenshots a post or Story? Fortunately or unfortunately, Instagram does not send you a notification when someone screenshots your Story. You're only notified when someone screenshots a disappearing DM when you are in vanish mode. This wikiHow article covers when Instagram notifies a screenshot and how you can tell if someone screenshotted your disappearing direct message.

Things You Should Know

Instagram will not notify you if someone screenshots your Story, reel, or post.
You'll only receive a notification if someone screenshots your disappearing DM.
Instagram's screenshotting rules can change again, so be careful.

Section 1 of 4:

When does Instagram notify that someone took a screenshot?

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When someone screenshots a disappearing DM, Instagram notifies the person that sent the message.^{[1]
X
Research source} Disappearing DM's are taken using the Instagram camera instead of your phone's camera (IG won't notify you of a screenshot if the picture you sent was uploaded from your camera roll). By default, this can only be viewed once, but you can change it to be viewed twice with "Replay."
- However, you will not be notified if the other person screenshots a chat, including individual messages, conversation history, and posts sent back and forth. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}

Section 2 of 4:

How will I know if someone screenshotted my disappearing DM?

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You will see a screenshot icon next to the message. It looks like a circle made up of lines pointing out like a starburst.
- It will be next to any kind of message in vanish mode: pictures and videos.
- If you go to your Direct Message inbox, you'll also see Screenshot next to the conversation where your disappearing message was screenshotted. ^{[3]
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  Research source}

Section 3 of 4:

FAQ

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You used to get notifications if someone screenshotted your Story, but you don't anymore. Instead, you can view your Story and see who else viewed it.
No. Instagram does not notify when someone screenshots posts, reels, or Stories.^{[4]
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Research source} If you have a professional account, you can use analytics to see who shared those.

Section 4 of 4:

How do I take screenshots without the other person knowing?

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For now, Instagram does not notify when someone takes a screenshot from a web browser. That rule may change, so be careful.
If the internet signals are turned off in airplane mode on your Android or iPhone, your phone won't be able to send a signal that it screenshotted a disappearing DM.
Although the screenshot may not be the best quality, you can always use another camera to take a picture of the disappearing DM on your phone. If you do that, Instagram won't notify that you took a screenshot.