Have you ever thought about whether you would be informed if someone took a screenshot of one of your Instagram posts or stories?
With over 2 billion users active every month, many are on their way to becoming “Instagram influencers” by sharing and consuming content.
So, shall we get to the good stuff? In brief, there is good news for the sneaky screenshot takers:
I am here with this blog to help you understand the different scenarios more clearly when Instagram sends screenshot notifications and when it doesn’t, what has changed, and more!
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Post or Story?
Instagram does NOT notify if someone takes a screenshot of their post, story, reel, or profile publication.
Looking for definitive answers about Instagram screenshot notifications? Let’s dive straight into what Instagram does and doesn’t tell others about your screenshot habits.
Stories: No Notification
You can be sure that Instagram does not notify users when you take a screenshot of their stories.
This was the case even when, since June 2018, Instagram decided to remove those notifications after some testing. There was a point when some users received alerts when their stories were screenshotted.
Nowadays, you can freely screenshot any story, whether it’s from a public account, a private profile you follow, or even Close Friends content, without the poster knowing.
This applies to both active stories and those saved in Highlights, giving you complete privacy when saving content.
As a content creator, these best apps for stories will help you create better stories.
Posts: No Notification
Likewise, Instagram does not send alerts for screenshots of typical posts. Go ahead and screenshot that motivating photo, a carousel post, or a video cover image, and you’ll never surprise the creator with an alert screen. This applies to all content types that appear in your main feed – captions and comments included.
Unlike platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram has maintained a consistent approach with posts; what you see in your feed can be privately saved without triggering any instagram screenshot notification systems.
Reels & profiles: No Notification
Following the same pattern, screenshots of Reels and profiles remain completely private. You can:
- Screenshot any frame from a Reel
- Capture someone’s entire profile page
- Save their bio information or follower list
- Screen record videos
None of these actions will generate an alert for the content creator.
DMs: Depends on the Type of Message
Direct messages operate under different rules for Instagram screenshot notification depending on the message type. Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Message Type | Notification Sent? |
| Regular text messages | No |
| Normal photos/videos | No |
| Shared posts | No |
| Voice messages | No |
| Disappearing photos/videos | Yes |
| Disappearing messages | Yes |
Only disappearing content like photos sent with the “View Once” option or messages in Disappearing messages will trigger an Instagram screenshot notification.
Additionally, Instagram now completely blocks screenshot attempts for certain disappearing content. Remember, you can always see the view count on an Instagram profile for other engagement metrics.
In essence, Instagram’s screenshot policy gives users substantial privacy when capturing most content, with restrictions primarily on ephemeral DM content designed to disappear after viewing.
What Triggers a Screenshot Notification on Instagram
While Instagram keeps most of your Instagram screenshot activities private, certain features still trigger Instagram screenshot notification alerts.
Let’s explore exactly when your screenshotting won’t fly under the radar.
Disappearing Messages in DMs
The primary trigger for Instagram screenshot notifications comes from disappearing messages.
These temporary messages appear in chats for a limited time before disappearing permanently. Whenever you screenshot a disappearing message, Instagram notifies the sender immediately.
This notification system exists specifically to protect user privacy for content meant to be temporary.
Moreover, Instagram can detect not only screenshots but also screen recordings of these disappearing messages.
Photos Sent with ‘View Once’ or ‘Allow Replay’
Photos and videos that are sent with the “View Once” option are the most secure and will send an Instagram screenshot notification. In particular, Instagram does not allow a screenshot to be taken from these messages at all.
When you try to grab the content, there will be a pop-up window informing you, “You can’t screenshot or record this. It’s only meant to be replayed once”.
As far as the “Allow Replay” option is concerned, Instagram used to display a small round character (like a camera shutter) close to the message when a screenshot was taken; however, this performance has changed with the recent updates.
Disappearing messages Conversations
Disappearing messages act essentially as Instagram’s version of Snapchat messages. In this mode:
| Action | Result |
| Taking screenshot | Notification sent |
| Screen recording | Notification sent |
| Leaving chat | All messages disappear |
When someone captures content in disappearing messages, a message appears stating “[username] took a screenshot“. This notification shows up at the bottom of the conversation for both parties to see.
Group Chats & Screenshot Alerts
The same screenshot rules apply in group conversations. Consequently, if someone takes a screenshot of your disappearing photo in a group DM, you’ll receive an Instagram screenshot notification.
This notification specifically goes to the original sender, not everyone in the group. The alert appears as a small circle icon next to the message that was captured.
Understanding Instagram’s Screenshot Policy Over Time
Instagram’s screenshot notification policy has undergone significant changes since the platform’s launch. Let’s trace this evolution to understand where we stand today.
Initial Testing of Story Screenshot Alerts
Instagram ran a test in 2018 that would let people know if someone took a screenshot of their stories. During the experiment, if a user took a screenshot of a story, Instagram would alert the creator of the story with a star icon.
The functionality was only available to some users, not everyone. Many people were surprised and didn’t quite understand that their screenshotting might not be as confidential as they thought.
Why Instagram Removed Story Notifications
Instagram ultimately abandoned the screenshot alerts for several reasons.
- First, user feedback was largely negative; people felt their privacy was compromised when viewing stories.
- Second, the feature contradicts Instagram’s goal of encouraging engagement and content sharing.
- Third, implementing consistent detection across all device types proved technically challenging.
Comparison with Snapchat & Other Apps
| App | Screenshot Notification Policy |
| Limited to disappearing DMs only | |
| Snapchat | Notifies for all stories and snaps |
| No screenshot notifications | |
| TikTok | No screenshot notifications |
Snapchat pioneered screenshot alerts across all content types, whereas Instagram adopted a more relaxed approach, except with disappearing messages.
Current Policy as of 2025
Instagram has kept the same rule in 2025 as well; no alerts are sent for screenshots of posts, stories, reels, or profiles, only for disappearing DMs.
With this method, Instagram allows sharing content while still keeping user privacy intact. Want to know how to see the view count on an Instagram profile? Then, see what we have to offer you.
Best Options for Screenshotting on Instagram
When you take a screenshot on Instagram, it creates some questions regarding the practicality and the morality of the action. Luckily, knowing the right time and way for a safe screenshot can help significantly.
When it’s Okay to Screenshot
Screenshots for personal use are mostly allowed for private reference. It is okay to purposely save inspiration, important information, or memories for your eyes only.
However, always be aware of the content creator’s intentions first. In addition, for sensitive or private content, seek permission first, especially if you will share it beyond your device.
How to Give Credit When Sharing
Proper attribution is crucial when sharing someone else’s content. To credit photos correctly:
- Tag the creator in both the caption and the image
- Use the “@” symbol to link to their profile
- Never claim others’ work as your own
- If you can’t find the source, don’t post it
Why Screenshots Can Be Sensitive
Screenshots create permanent records of potentially temporary content. Ultimately, this can lead to privacy concerns, particularly with personal conversations or disappearing content.
Taking screenshots can ultimately damage trust and may sometimes violate platform guidelines. For research or publications, ethical considerations become even more important obtaining consent before publishing identifiable screenshots is typically necessary.
Using Instagram’s Built-in Save Features
| Feature | How It Works | Notification? |
| Bookmark | Tap the icon below the post | No |
| Collections | Organize saved posts | No |
| Collaborative Collections | Share with friends | No |
The bookmark function lets you save posts for later viewing without triggering any Instagram screenshot notification.
This feature is accessible via the bookmark icon under posts and creates a private saved section in your profile. Collections take saving a step further by letting you organize posts into categories.
Do Instagram Screenshots Notify?
Knowing the screenshot rules around Instagram will help you better navigate the app with responsibility and integrity.
Screenshots of posts, stories, reels, and profiles don’t generate any type of notification, but will for disappearing DMs and disappearing messages.
When possible, utilize Instagram’s save features for a simpler and more organized way to save content without intrusion. And, always ask for permission or credit the creator before sharing!
You can save inspiration, but do it mindfully.
Instagram Screenshot Notification FAQs
- 1. Are there any cases in which Instagram informs about screenshots?
Yes, Instagram sends notifications to users when someone takes a screenshot of disappearing photos or videos in direct messages or a conversation in Disappearing messages.
- 2. What are the ways to save Instagram content besides screenshots?
Instagram has several in-built save features like bookmarks, collections, and downloads. These options enable you to save the posts privately for later without the original poster being informed.
- 3. Is it right to screenshot Instagram content?
If you take a screenshot only for your personal use, it is mostly right, but still, one should pay attention to the creator’s side, especially in the case of private or sensitive content.