How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram?

Ever sent a message on Instagram and regretted it the moment the recipient saw the dreaded “Seen” status? You’re not alone. The ability to turn off read receipts on Instagram has become a hot topic for users who value their privacy.

Instagram doesn’t offer a direct “turn off read receipts” button like WhatsApp or iMessage. But don’t worry—there are still ways to bypass read receipts effectively. In this guide, we’ll cover step-by-step methods to disable or avoid read receipts, along with other essential privacy tricks.

Can You Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram?

Short answer: Not officially. Instagram doesn’t allow users to disable read receipts directly. However, there are several workarounds to prevent others from knowing when you’ve read their messages.

Let’s dive into the best ways to do it.

Methods to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

1. Read Messages in Airplane Mode

One of the simplest tricks is using airplane mode to read messages without triggering the read receipt.

Steps:

1. Open Instagram and go to your DM inbox.
2. Turn on Airplane Mode (disable WiFi & mobile data).
3. Read the message.
4. Close the Instagram app completely.
5. Turn off Airplane Mode and reconnect to the internet.

Since you were offline while reading the message, Instagram won’t register it as “Seen” until you open the app while connected.

2. Use Message Notifications to Preview Messages

If the sender’s message is short enough, you can read it directly from notifications without opening the app.

Steps:

• Make sure Instagram notifications are enabled (Settings > Notifications > Instagram > Allow Notifications).
• When you receive a message, read it from the lock screen or notification panel.

This method works best for short messages. However, once you tap on the message, Instagram will mark it as read.

3. Use Third-Party Instagram Viewer Apps

Several third-party apps allow you to check Instagram messages without notifying the sender. Be cautious—only use trusted apps to protect your account security. Check out this guide on third-party Instagram tools to learn more.

4. Restrict the User

Instagram’s “Restrict” feature prevents read receipts while limiting unwanted interactions.

Steps:

1. Go to the sender’s profile.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (top right) and select “Restrict.”
3. Their messages will move to the “Message Requests” section, where you can read them without triggering “Seen.”

To reply, you’ll have to unrestrict them first, which will then mark the message as read.

5. Log In From Another Account

If you have a secondary Instagram account, you can use it to check messages indirectly. If the message was sent to both accounts in a group chat, reading it from the second account won’t mark it as “Seen” on the main account.

6. Disable Activity Status to Reduce Read Receipt Pressure

Even if you can’t fully disable read receipts, turning off activity status can add an extra layer of privacy.

Steps:

1. Open Instagram and go to Settings.
2. Tap “Privacy.”
3. Select “Activity Status.”
4. Toggle off “Show Activity Status.”

This prevents others from knowing when you were last active, which complements the read receipt workaround.

7. Use Instagram Vanish Mode for Temporary Chats

Vanish Mode allows users to send disappearing messages that won’t stay in the chat history once closed.

Steps:

1. Open Instagram and navigate to a chat.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to enable Vanish Mode.
3. Messages sent in this mode disappear after being seen.

This feature helps keep certain conversations private, ensuring there’s no record after you exit the chat.

8. Archive or Delete Conversations to Remove Read Status

If you want to prevent a message from being read accidentally, you can archive or delete it before opening.

Steps:

1. Go to your Instagram DM inbox.
2. Swipe left on the conversation.
3. Select “Archive” or “Delete.”

This will move the chat out of sight, helping you avoid opening it unintentionally.

While Instagram doesn’t let you turn off read receipts completely, these workarounds can help you maintain privacy. Whether you use Airplane Mode, restrict users, or preview messages via notifications, you now have the tools to keep your activity under wraps.

Looking for more Instagram privacy tips? Check out this guide on social media privacy and Instagram’s official help center for more insights.

FAQs About Instagram Read Receipts

1. Can I see if someone has turned off their read receipts?

No, because Instagram doesn’t provide an option to disable read receipts directly.

2. Does turning off Activity Status disable read receipts?

No, it only hides when you were last active but doesn’t prevent “Seen” from appearing.

3. Will using Airplane Mode always work?

Yes, but be sure to force close Instagram before reconnecting to the internet.

4. Can I disable read receipts on Instagram Web?

No, Instagram Web doesn’t provide an option to hide read receipts.

5. What happens if I block someone after reading their message?

They won’t see the “Seen” status, but blocking them also deletes the conversation from your inbox.

6. Are there any browser extensions to disable read receipts?

Currently, no reliable browser extensions exist for this purpose.

7. Will Instagram add an option to turn off read receipts in the future?

There’s no official word from Instagram, but users have been requesting this feature for years.

8. Does Instagram notify users if I screenshot a DM?

Only disappearing messages in Vanish Mode send notifications when screenshotted.

9. How can I enhance my overall Instagram privacy?

For additional privacy tips, check out this in-depth guide on Instagram privacy settings.