Want some privacy while using Instagram?
Whether you need a break from people knowing when you're online or just prefer to browse without interruptions, learning how to turn off active status on Instagram is a handy skill.
This guide will show you step-by-step how to do it, provide some helpful tips, and even include a comparison table of the pros and cons of turning off your activity status.
By the end, you’ll be ready to take control of your online presence.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off Active Status
Before jumping into how to turn off your activity status, it's important to understand why you might want to do it in the first place.
Instagram’s activity status feature lets people know when you’re online or when you were last active.
Some people might like this feature because it makes communication easier, but others find it intrusive.
Here are some reasons people turn off activity status:
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Privacy: You might not want everyone knowing when you’re online.
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Less pressure: Turning off Instagram active status allows you to avoid feeling obligated to respond to tap messages immediately.
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Focus: You can scroll through Instagram without the distraction of others knowing you’re online.
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Control your interactions: Sometimes, you want to take control of who can see your online status, especially if you're following a large number of people.
62% of other users said they often felt pressured to respond immediately when their activity status tap was visible.
This highlights a major reason many people choose to turn off this feature.
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram
Let’s walk through how to turn off your active status. This is an easy process that can be done on both mobile devices and desktops.
For Mobile Users (iPhone/Android)
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Open the Instagram app and log in if you’re not already.
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Tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner to go to your profile.
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Tap the three lines icon (also called the “hamburger” menu) in the top-right corner.
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From the menu, tap Settings and privacy.
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Scroll down to the Messages and story replies section.
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Tap on Activity status on Instagram.
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Toggle off the option that says Show Activity Status on Instagram.
For Desktop Users
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Go to Instagram’s website and log into your Instagram account.
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Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner to access your profile.
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Select Settings.
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On the left-hand side, click on Privacy and Security.
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Scroll down to Activity Status on Instagram and uncheck the box next to Show Activity Status.
And that’s it! Once you’ve followed these steps, your activity status will be turned off, and nobody will be able to see when you’re online or when you were last active.
What Happens After You Turn Off Active Status?
Once you’ve turned off your active status, here’s what will change:
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No one can see when you’re online: This includes your followers on Instagram, people you follow, and anyone you’ve messaged.
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You won’t be able to see others’ active status: This is a two-way street - if your status is hidden, you also won’t see when others are online.
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Messages won’t show your activity: Any messages you send will no longer have the “Active now” or “Last active X minutes ago” tags.
This feature only affects your visibility for direct messaging and not other parts of the platform.
So, for example, if you’re posting stories or photos, people can still engage with your content without knowing whether you’re online.
Tips for Using Instagram After Turning Off Active Status
Now that your active status is off, here are some tips on managing your Instagram presence:
1. Be Mindful of Notifications
Without your active status showing, people might assume you’ll still see their messages instantly.
Make sure you have your notifications turned on if you still want to stay on top of important messages.
2. Set Boundaries with Friends or Followers
If you’re someone who typically replies to messages quickly, your friends might notice the change.
It’s okay to explain why you’ve turned off your active status, especially if you’re trying to reduce screen time or protect your privacy.
3. Balance Your Privacy Aettings
Turning off your active status is just one way to manage privacy on Instagram.
You can also adjust who can see your stories, who can message you, and who can follow you.
These settings give you even more control over your online presence.
Pros and Cons of Turning Off Active Status
To help you decide if this change is right for you, let’s look at some pros and cons.
As you can see, while turning off your online status offers privacy, it can also change how you interact with others on the platform.
It’s a trade-off that might be worth it depending on how you use Instagram.
Should You Turn Off Active Status on Instagram?
At the end of the day, whether or not you should turn off your online status depends on your personal needs and habits.
If you value your privacy or feel pressured by the constant expectation to reply, turning it off can be a good move.
It allows you to enjoy Instagram on your own terms without feeling like you’re being watched.
However, if you like the social aspect of seeing when friends are online or want them to know you’re available for a same chat, you might want to leave the feature on.
Conclusion
Now you know how to turn off active status on Instagram, and it’s a pretty simple process!
This feature gives you more control over who can see when you’re online, which can be a big relief if you’re looking for more privacy.
Whether you’re using Instagram for fun or for work, managing your online status is one way to take charge of your experience.
Remember, everyone’s Instagram habits are different. If you want to focus more on yourself and less on what others expect, turning off your active status can be a great way to do that.
But if staying connected in real-time is important to you, maybe keeping it on is the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you turn off active on Instagram?
To turn off online status on Instagram, you just need to follow a few simple steps. First, open the app and go to your profile by tapping your profile picture in the bottom right.
Then, tap the three lines in the top right corner and go to "Settings and privacy." Scroll down to "Direct messages and story replies" and find "Activity status."
Turn off the switch next to “Show Activity Status,” and you’re all set! This stops people from seeing when you’re online or last active.
How do I turn off the green dot on Instagram?
The green dot on Instagram shows people that you’re currently online. To turn it off, you need to disable your Instagram online status.
Open the app, go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right corner, and select "Settings and privacy."
Scroll down to “Activity status,” then turn off the toggle next to "Show Activity Status." Once you do that, the green dot will disappear, and people won’t know when you’re online.
How to turn off active status on Instagram on iPhone 2024?
Turning off online status on Instagram for iPhone in 2024 is really easy. First, open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon in the bottom-right corner.
Then, tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner of your profile page. Choose "Settings and privacy," scroll down, and find "Messages and story replies." .
Under that section, you’ll see “Activity status.” Simply toggle off the switch next to "Show Instagram Activity Status," and no one will be able to see when you’re online.
How to appear offline in Instagram?
If you want to appear offline on Instagram, you need to turn off your Instagram online status.
Just open the Instagram app, go to your profile by tapping the icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines in the top right.
Head into "Settings and privacy," scroll to "Direct messages and story replies," and find "Activity status."
Turn off the switch next to "Show Activity Status," and you’ll appear offline to everyone, even when you’re actually using the app.