How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram?
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, and like most social apps, it allows users to see when their friends are online. While this feature can be helpful for engagement, sometimes you might want a little more privacy.
So, how do you turn off Active Status on Instagram? Whether you’re looking for a bit of digital peace or simply don’t want others to see when you’re online, this guide has got you covered.
Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of disabling Instagram’s Active Status and explore some frequently asked questions.
What is Instagram Active Status?
Before we get into how to disable it, let’s quickly understand what Active Status on Instagram is. This feature lets your followers (or people you have chatted with) see when you were last active or if you’re currently online.
It appears as:
- A green dot next to your profile picture in Direct Messages (DMs)
- A “Active Now” or “Active X minutes/hours ago” status under your name in DMs
While this feature can be convenient for social interactions, it also raises privacy concerns. If you don’t want others to see when you’re online, turning it off is the way to go.
For more details, you can check out Instagram’s official help page on managing your Active Status.
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram (iPhone & Android)
Follow these quick steps to disable Active Status on Instagram for both iPhone and Android users:
Step 1: Open Instagram App
First, launch the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android device. Make sure you’re logged in.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Tap on your profile picture at the bottom-right corner of the screen to access your profile.
Step 3: Access Settings & Privacy
- Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) at the top-right corner.
- Select Settings and Privacy from the menu.
Step 4: Navigate to ‘Messages and Story Replies’
- Scroll down and look for the ‘Messages and Story Replies’ option under the ‘How Others Can Interact With You’ section.
- Tap on it.
Step 5: Find ‘Show Active Status’
- Under the ‘Who Can See You’re Online’ section, find ‘Show Active Status’.
- Tap it.
Step 6: Toggle Off ‘Show Active Status’
- You will see a switch next to ‘Show Active Status’.
- Turn it off to disable your Active Status completely.
Step 7: Confirm Your Settings
Once you toggle it off, your followers or people you’ve messaged will no longer see when you’re online. However, this also means you won’t be able to see their active status.
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram Web (Desktop Version)
If you’re using Instagram on a computer, you can also disable your Active Status. Here’s how:
- Open Instagram.com in your web browser.
- Click on your profile picture at the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
- Click on ‘Privacy and Security’.
- Scroll down to the Activity Status section.
- Uncheck the box that says ‘Show Activity Status’.
- Done! Your Active Status is now hidden.
For a more in-depth guide on managing Instagram privacy settings, check out Consumer Reports’ article on Instagram privacy.
Can You Hide Your Active Status from Specific People?
Unfortunately, Instagram does not allow users to hide their Active Status from specific people while keeping it visible to others. It’s an all-or-nothing feature—either everyone can see it, or no one can.
If you’re looking for more privacy, consider restricting or blocking certain users instead.
Now that you know how to turn off Active Status on Instagram, you can enjoy more privacy while using the app. Whether you’re avoiding distractions, maintaining boundaries, or just prefer a little digital peace, disabling this feature can be helpful.
FAQs
1. Can I Still See Others’ Active Status After Turning Mine Off?
No. Once you disable your Active Status, you won’t be able to see when others are online either. Instagram applies this setting both ways.
2. Will My Messages Still Be Delivered If I Turn Off Active Status?
Yes. Turning off Active Status does not affect your messages. You can still send and receive DMs as usual.
3. Does Instagram Notify Others When I Turn Off Active Status?
No. Instagram does not send any notifications when you turn off your Active Status. The only way someone will know is if they no longer see your online status.
4. Can I Turn My Active Status Back On?
Yes. If you decide later that you want others to see when you’re online, simply follow the same steps and toggle ‘Show Active Status’ back on.
5. Does This Work for Business Accounts?
Yes, you can turn off Active Status on both personal and business accounts using the same steps.
6. How Often Can I Change My Active Status Setting?
You can toggle your Active Status on or off as many times as you want. There’s no limit.
7. Will People Know If I Am Online If My Active Status is Off?
No, when you turn off Active Status, others won’t be able to see if you are online or recently active.
8. Does Turning Off Active Status Hide My Read Receipts?
No, read receipts (the “Seen” indicator in DMs) will still be visible unless the message is unread or restricted.