Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms, and its Stories feature is one of the main reasons people keep coming back. Stories are temporary—lasting only 24 hours—and often include personal moments, fun updates, or important announcements. With all this content floating around, a common question pops up: “Will Instagram alert someone if I screenshot their story?”

In this article, we’ll explore how Instagram handles story screenshots, what notifications are sent (or not), and some tips to respect privacy while enjoying the app.

How Instagram Stories Work

Before we dive into screenshots, it’s helpful to understand how Instagram Stories operate:

• Temporary content: Stories disappear after 24 hours, unless saved as highlights.
  
  

• View tracking: The story owner can see who has viewed their story, but only by checking the viewer list.
  
  

• Privacy controls: Users can hide stories from specific followers or make accounts private.
  
  

Stories feel more casual and personal than regular posts, but that doesn’t mean they’re free to share without permission.

Does Instagram Notify You About Screenshots?

Here’s the good news (and the myth-busting part):

• Regular stories: Instagram does not notify users when someone takes a screenshot of their story. You can screenshot freely, and the story owner won’t know.
  
  

• Direct messages (DMs) with disappearing photos or videos: There’s an exception. If you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent via Instagram DM, the sender will get notified.
  
  

So essentially, if it’s a normal story on your feed, you’re in the clear. But Instagram does track screenshots in private messages designed to vanish after being viewed.

How Instagram Screenshots Work in Disappearing Messages

Instagram has a feature where you can send photos and videos that disappear after being seen once or twice. These messages behave differently:

• If you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent in a DM, Instagram shows a small notification to the sender.
  
  

• Static messages, like regular photos, videos, or text in a DM, do not trigger notifications.
  
  

This feature is designed to protect privacy for sensitive content, so people feel safer sending disappearing media.

Can You Avoid Notifications While Taking Screenshots?

There are some methods people try, but it’s worth noting that Instagram updates features frequently, and these tricks may not always work:

1. Airplane Mode: Turning on airplane mode before taking a screenshot might prevent the app from sending a notification. However, as soon as you go back online, Instagram might still log the screenshot.
   
   

2. Screen Recording: Recording your screen can sometimes bypass screenshot notifications, but disappearing photos and videos in DMs might still alert the sender.
   
   

3. Third-party apps: Using third-party apps to save Instagram stories is risky. Many apps are against Instagram’s terms of service and can compromise your account security.
   
   

The safest approach is to respect privacy and avoid screenshotting content that isn’t meant to be saved.

Why Instagram Doesn’t Notify for Regular Stories

You might wonder why Instagram doesn’t alert users for normal story screenshots. There are a few reasons:

• High volume: Stories are meant to be casual, and notifying every screenshot would overwhelm users.
  
  

• User experience: Constant notifications could make people hesitant to share stories at all.
  
  

• Privacy balance: Instagram prioritizes disappearing DMs for notifications because they’re inherently private and temporary.
  
  

So, regular stories remain safe to screenshot without causing anxiety for viewers or content creators.

Best Practices for Respecting Instagram Privacy

Even if Instagram doesn’t alert users about story screenshots, it’s important to be mindful:

• Ask for permission: If a story is personal or sensitive, it’s polite to ask before screenshotting.
  
  

• Avoid sharing without consent: Don’t repost someone’s story elsewhere without permission.
  
  

• Consider privacy settings: If you’re worried about screenshots, you can hide stories from specific followers or restrict who sees them.
  
  

• Remember disappearing messages: Always think twice before taking a screenshot of disappearing DMs.
  
  

Being respectful builds trust and keeps your Instagram experience positive.

Common Misconceptions About Instagram Notifications

There are several myths floating around:

1. “Instagram notifies for every screenshot” – False. Only disappearing DMs trigger notifications.
   
   

2. “Stories can’t be saved” – False. Screenshots can still be taken; Instagram just doesn’t alert you for normal stories.
   
   

3. “Third-party apps are safe for screenshots” – False. Many apps can compromise your account security or violate Instagram’s terms.
   
   

Understanding these facts helps you use Instagram responsibly without unnecessary worry.

Final Thoughts

So, to answer the main question clearly:

• Normal Instagram stories: No, the user will not be notified if you screenshot their story.
  
  

• Disappearing DMs: Yes, the sender will be notified if you take a screenshot.
  
  

Instagram’s design encourages casual, fun sharing for stories while still protecting privacy for disappearing messages. The key is to respect others’ content, avoid sharing without permission, and enjoy the platform responsibly.