How to Hide Instagram Chats, Stories, Notifications and More

Use of Instagram as a social media application is quite popular at the moment. The app enables users to share photos, videos, stories and other multimedia items. It is possible to have privacy concerns regarding some of the activities done on Instagram. For example, one may not want to be seen engaging in certain digital activities, or they may want to hide Instagram chats, likes, stories, posts and whether they are currently online.

Good news – many of the features on Instagram can be hidden. To hide the features, you do not require any special tools or advanced technological knowledge. Everything you need is available as options within your app settings. This guide will show you, step by step, how to hide Instagram features.

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Hiding Instagram Chats & Messages:

How to Hide Instagram Chats (DM)?

1. Vanish Mode (Disappearing Messages):

Open the chat you want to hide.
Tap “Disappearing Messages”.
Choose “Once They’re Seen” to make messages disappear after the recipient views them.

Note: This method deletes messages from both sides, so you won’t have a history of the chat.

2. Use the Primary/General Inbox (Only for Professional Accounts)

Step 1 – Switch to Professional Account:

Open the Instagram app.
Go to your Profile (bottom-right).
Tap the three lines on the top-right.
Select Settings and privacy.
Tap Account type and tools.
Choose Switch to Professional account.
Select either Creator or Business, then finish setup.

Step 2 – Move Chats to General Tab:

Open your DMs (Messenger icon).
You’ll now see two inboxes: Primary and General.
Long-press or swipe left on any chat you want to hide.
Tap Move to General.

Note: Chats in the General tab don’t send notifications by default and are not visible unless someone opens the General tab manually.

3. Muting Chats:

Select the chat you want to mute.
Tap on the three dots in the top right corner.
Choose “Mute”.

Note: This will prevent the chat from appearing in your main inbox and sending you notifications.

4. Restrict the User (Advanced Privacy)

Restricting someone hides their messages without blocking them completely.

Go to the Profile of the user you want to hide.

Tap the three dots on the top-right.

Tap Restrict.

Now, messages from this person will go to your Message Requests, not your main inbox.

They also won’t know when you’ve read their messages.

How to hide Instagram message requests from unknown users?

Even if someone does not follow you on Instagram, they can still send you direct messages. These messages are stored in a separate folder called “Message Requests,” and Instagram does not notify you about these messages unless you check that section. Although you cannot fully prevent receiving message requests, Instagram allows you to restrict and manage who is allowed to send you messages or who can be pushed to the hidden request folder.

1. Limit Who Can Send You Message Requests

Your App can now be set up to allow chatting with only those who you follow or who are friends with you on the platform.

Open the Instagram app.

Select your Profile picture on the bottom right.

Select the three lines at the top right corner.

Click on Settings and privacy.

Select Messages and story replies (under “How others can interact with you”).

Click on Message controls.

You will see different groups like:

People You May Know on Facebook

Others on Instagram

People who have your number

For each group, select “Don’t receive requests” or “Message requests” if you wish to filter them.

2. Hide Message Requests in the “Hidden Requests” Folder

Suspicious, spammy, or abusive messages are automatically hidden for Instagram users.

Navigate to your DMs (paper plane or messenger icon).

Click on Requests at the top.

Scroll and click Hidden Requests.

3. Turn Off Message Requests for Group Chats from Strangers

Every so often, random users try to add you to group conversations.

Click on Settings and privacy.

Click on Messages and story replies.

Click on Group message settings.

Pick Who can add you to groups.

Change it to Only People You Follow.

How to hide instagram old or unread chats without deleting them?

If you want to stop seeing old or unread chats on Instagram without deleting them, you can either use the ‘General’ feature or restrict the account. The General feature lets you relocate a chat to a different inbox, so it no longer appears in your main direct message list. Furthermore, you can then restrict the user which will ensure the chat does not show up in your message requests either.

1. Using the General Feature:

Launch Instagram and go to your direct messages section (DMs).

Find the specific chat that you want to hide.

Long press the particular chat.

Choose ‘Move to General’ from the options presented to you.

2. Restricting the User:

Open the chat you wish to conceal.

At the top of the chat, tap the user’s name.

Choose ‘Options’ and then ‘Restrict’.

Now that the user is restricted, any new messages from them will be sent to your Message Requests. The chat does not show up in your main inbox unless you actively check the Message Requests.

How to archive or download chats before deleting them?

To keep Instagram conversations saved before you delete them, there are a couple methods to do so. One could either archive them, which saves them out of sight but still keeps them accessible, or download your data from Instagram, which includes a copy of all your data including chat history. Or, chat histories can be manually copied, pasted, and saved or important messages can be saved via screenshots.

How to Archive the chats?

You can swipe left on the conversation in your direct messages. Tap on “Archive” to remove the conversation from your main inbox.
Archived chats can be found in the “Archived” section in direct messages.

How to Download Instagram Chats Before Deleting Them?

Step 1: Open Instagram App or Web

You can do this either from the Instagram app or from Instagram.com in your browser.

Open the Instagram app.
Tap your profile icon (bottom right).
Tap the menu (☰) at the top right.
Go to Settings and privacy.

Step 2: Request Your Data

In “Settings and privacy,” scroll down to “Your app and media”.
Tap on “Download your information.”
Enter your email address where you want the data to be sent.
Tap Next.
Enter your Instagram account password for confirmation.
Tap Request Download.

Instagram will now begin preparing your data. This includes:

All chat messages
Photos, videos
Comments, likes
Stories
Profile information, etc.

Step 3: Wait for the Email from Instagram

Instagram will email you a link within 24 to 48 hours.
The subject will be: “Your Instagram Data”.
Click the “Download Information” link in the email.

Step 4: Extract the Data File

The file you download will be in .zip format.
Extract or unzip the file using any file manager or extraction tool.
Open the folder, and go to “messages” or “chats”.
Open the files in a browser (they are usually in HTML or JSON format).

Hiding Notifications & Alerts:

How to hide Instagram message notifications on iOS / Android devices?

To hide Instagram message notifications on iOS and Android, you can disable previews or mute specific chats.

iOS:

Open your phone’s Settings app.
Tap on “Notifications.”
Scroll down and find “Instagram.”
Tap on “Instagram.”
Tap on “Show Previews.“
Select “Never” or “Off” to hide message previews.

Android:

Open the Instagram app.
Tap on the message icon (the paper airplane) to open your DMs.
Tap and hold on a specific chat you want to mute.
Tap “Mute” or “Disable Notifications.“
Choose the duration you want to mute the chat for (e.g., 1 hour, 8 hours, or indefinitely).

How to hide Instagram comment and like notifications?

Receiving notifications every time someone likes or comments on your post can become overwhelming, especially if you receive them as frequently as Instagram sends them. For some, the benefits of having such notifications are evident; however, for many others, it can be a distraction and more bothersome than helpful. On Instagram, you can easily disable likes and comments notifications. In the following paragraphs, we explain how to do this on Android and iPhone.

1. Access Notification Settings:

Go to your Instagram profile.
Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
Select “Notifications” from the menu.

2. Customize Notifications:

Review and adjust the notification settings for various actions, such as posts, stories, and comments.
You can turn off specific types of notifications, like “Comment Likes and Pins” if you want to stop receiving notifications when people like your comments.
Consider muting notifications temporarily if you want a break from all alerts.

3. Phone Settings:

You can also control how Instagram notifications appear on your phone by adjusting the settings for Instagram in your phone’s notification settings.
You can, for example, hide previews of messages to maintain privacy

How to mute Instagram story replies and message notifications from strangers?

To mute message notifications and story replies from strangers on Instagram, you can turn off message requests, as well as manage story replies from accounts that you do not follow. Also, the notification settings can be adjusted so that messages from accounts you do not follow are muted.

How to disable message requests from strangers:

Open your profile and click on the three horizontal lines which is the menu icon.
Click on “Settings” and then “Privacy”.
Tap “Messages” or “Messages and story replies”.
Choose “Message requests” and pick either “Don’t receive” or “Go to Message Requests”.
In the “Notifications” section, you can also enable the setting to block message notifications from accounts that do not follow you.

How to manage story replies from strangers:

Open your profile and click on the three horizontal lines which is the menu icon.
Click on “Settings” and then “Privacy”.
Tap on “Messages and story replies”.
Click “Story” and select who can reply to your stories. Choices include “Everyone” and “Only people you follow”.
You can also turn off replies to your stories by selecting “Off” in the story replies settings.

Hiding Instagram Status, Stories & Profile Activities

How do I hide my activity status on Instagram?

While using Instagram, your followers or the people you message can see your online status. This is referred to as your Activity Status. It shows the green dot with “Active now” or “Active 5 minutes ago” under your name in Instagram Direct. While Activity Status can be useful in some cases, for people who want more privacy, Instagram allows hiding the status altogether so no one can tell when the user is online.

Open the Instagram app: and go to your profile by tapping on your profile picture in the bottom right.
Tap the three horizontal lines: in the top right corner to access the menu.
Scroll down to the “How others can interact with you“: section.
Tap on “Messages and story replies” .
Tap on “Show activity status” .
Toggle the slider next to “Show Activity Status“: until it turns grey to disable the feature.

Can I hide online status from one person only?

No, Instagram does not let you hide your online status from one person only. When you turn off your activity status, it does not show for anyone.

How do I hide my Story from specific people on Instagram?

Yes, you can easily hide your story from specific people on Instagram. Instagram Stories are a great way to share moments in a fun way, but there are instances when you may not want everyone to view them. Perhaps you want to conceal your story from some individuals like a colleague, a family member, or someone whose opinion might disturb you.

Access Your Profile: To access your profile, tap on your profile picture located on the bottom right corner of the screen.
Navigate to Settings: Click on the three horizontal lines on the top right corner and select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Access Privacy Settings: Click on “Privacy.”
Open Story Settings: Click on “Story.”
Hide Story From: Tap the number under “Hide Story From.”
Select Users: Choose users from whom you want to hide your story. You can either search or scroll through the list of your followers.
Save Changes: To save your changes, click “Done” located on the top right corner.

You can hide stories from specific person by making “Close Friends” features too

Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
Scroll down to “Who can see your content” and select “Close Friends“.
Add people to your list by tapping “Select” next to their name or by searching for them.
Tap “Done” at the bottom to save your list.

By this “Close Friends” feature, only selected contacts only can see your stories, not others

Additional Tips:

While looking at the “Who Saw” list for a story, you can also hide stories from particular users.
To unhide a story from someone, you can unselect them from the “Hide Story From” list.
If someone is hidden from viewing a story, they can still see the account and posts, hence the user is not blocked.
If your account is set to private, only followers will be able to view your stories.

Why can some people still see my Story after hiding it on Instagram?

Hiding your Instagram story from someone doesn’t guarantee that they won’t ever see it.

One reason is that person may have other accounts that follow you, and they could be viewing your story through those accounts.
Another reason could be if your profile is public.

In that case, anyone can access your stories, even the ones you are trying to hide. Furthermore, even if you hide a story from someone, it does not mean they are blocked from viewing your posts and profile.

How do I hide my Likes on Instagram on Instagram?

Want to keep your Instagram likes private? Many people don’t want others to see how many likes they get or what posts they liked, your activity

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to hide likes on your own posts:

How to Hide Likes on Your Own Instagram Posts:

Open the Instagram App
Go to Your Profile
Find the Post
Tap the Three Dots (⋮ or …)
Select “Hide like count“

How to Hide Like Counts on Posts You See:

Go to Your Profile
Tap the Menu icon (☰) in the top right.
Tap “Settings and privacy”
Tap “Feed”
Tap “Hide like counts”
Turn on the toggle next to “Hide like and view counts on posts”

Can I Hide Likes from People Who Follow Me?

No, Instagram does not currently allow you to hide who you liked or what you liked completely from all users.

Can I hide comments I’ve made on Instagram?

Yes, you may hide your comments on Instagram, but not from the comments section. You can either delete the comment or hide it, with hiding being a better option as it avoids any potential backlash. Comment hiding makes it so that you and the commenter can still see the comment, however it is not visible to anyone else.

On iPhone / Android App:

Open the Instagram app
Make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
Go to the post where you left the comment.
Find your comment
Tap and hold your comment (Android)
Or swipe left on the comment (iPhone)
Tap the Trash/Delete icon.

On Instagram Web (Desktop):

Go to instagram.com and log in.
Find the post where you made the comment.
Hover over your comment
Click the three dots (…)
Click “Delete”

How can I hide tagged posts from my profile on Instagram?

If a friend tags you in an Instagram photo or video, it will automatically be added to the “Tagged” section of your profile. However, what if you would like to hide a tagged photo? Or even prefer masking the photo from your profile without having to unfollow or block that user?
Not to worry! Instagram gives you the ability to hide tagged posts where only you can see them—or simply remove the tag completely.

Hide Individual Posts:

Go to your profile and access the “Tags” section.
Select the specific post you want to hide.
Tap “Hide from profile” within the tag options.

Adjust Tagging Settings:

Go to your profile settings.
Find the “Tagging” or “Privacy” section.
You can control who can tag you and what visibility settings you want for tagged posts on your profile.
You can also manage manually approved tags, allowing you to approve or reject tags before they appear on your profile.

Hiding Instagram Profile & Follow Information:

How to make your account private to hide posts and followers on Instagram?

Setting your Instagram account to private is the simplest method of hiding your photos, videos, stories, followers, and followings from unapproved individuals. Your content will be visible only to those followers you have accepted. Regardless of whether you are on Android or iOS, this guide will help you switch to a private account in just a few steps.

Go to your profile: Tap your profile picture or the profile icon at the bottom right of the Instagram app.
Access settings: Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
Navigate to Privacy: Scroll down and tap “Settings” > “Privacy”.
Toggle Private Account: Find the “Private Account” option and toggle it on.
Confirm: You’ll be prompted to switch to private, tap “Switch to private” to confirm.

How to hide your followers on Instagram?

To hide your followers on Instagram, the primary method is to switch your account to private. When your account is private, only approved followers can see your posts, stories, and follower list. Anyone who hasn’t been approved to follow you will not be able to view your profile or content.

Open Instagram and go to your profile.
Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top right corner.
Select “Settings” and then “Account Privacy.“
Toggle the switch next to “Private Account” to make it private.