Everyone who uses IG will ask at some point, “Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a Story?” It’s good to be cautious — especially when a warning could bring disaster and embarrassment. But either way, you should only be saving Stories when it’s appropriate.
Here’s a snsflow.com guide to screenshotting IG stories (on any platform) without any worries.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story? Be Careful With What You Post
No, Instagram doesn’t tell users if you screenshot their stories. Nearly every IG update prompts this question. People always worry about this feature in case it catches them out. Snapchat, the app that popularized the Story format, notes every screenshot. But you won’t have to worry about this on Instagram.
Instagram used to send a Story screenshot notification. However, they removed it in 2018. Even new users still believe they may bring this feature back. Rest assured — you can save each one you come across without worry. You can even record story videos. But you won’t have complete privacy. The users will know you viewed their stories.
Stories are an incredibly popular content type. According to Rival IQ, they’re reaching more and more people every year. This is great for user engagement. But it also means it’s more likely someone will screenshot your own posts. Be careful with everything you upload, just to be safe.
Why Screenshot an IG Story?
There are plenty of reasons to save stories on all social media platforms. But you should only do so ethically. Here’s why you might want to save someone’s Instagram story:
- Preserve content: IG Stories always disappear after 24 hours. You might just like the post and want to look at it again someday.
- Get brand ideas: Stories are a great inspiration for your future posts. They could be perfect for planning out epic content, for example.
- Save vital information: The Story may be an event poster. Screenshot it so you have all the details when the day rolls around.
- Gather evidence: Is the Story controversial? Will they likely delete it? A screenshot will help you inform others about the Story later on.
- Save a photo: Your friend might post pictures of you on their IG Story. Screenshotting is often easier than asking for the original.
- Find products: The Story may show a product you have your eye on. You can save it to look at (and even buy!) later.
- Share a funny post: Stories can be great posts in their own right. Screenshots let you share Story posts with people who don’t follow the account.
How To Screenshot a Story on Instagram for iOS
The iOS screenshot function works the same on most iPhones. Simply press Volume Up and the phone’s side button at the same time. Older models might need to take a different route. If your iPhone doesn’t have Face ID, press the Home button and either the top or side button.
Stories only last a certain number of seconds. But you can always go back to them again if you aren’t fast enough with your screenshots.
You can also record your own screen. This lets you save video Stories. Swipe down from the top right of your screen to open the iOS Control Center. You should see a circle with another circle inside; press this to start recording. There are no screenshot warnings to worry about.
Screenshotting an Instagram Story on Android Phones
Android operating systems cover more devices — and most of them take screenshots the same way. Press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time. Some devices ask you to hold the Power button instead. You should then be able to select the Screenshot option.
There are no notifications for Story screenshots. You can save photos however you wish, for the most part. But sometimes, the temporary nature of a Story is its point.
Many Android devices don’t come with a screen recording feature. You might have to download an app for this. Open Quick Settings by swiping down from the top of the screen. Simply press Screen Recorder; your device will start recording. Either approach works for saving a content creator’s latest video story.
Does Instagram Ever Notify About Screenshots?
Taking a screenshot on Instagram usually doesn’t cause a problem. But there’s one exception to this. Insta lets users send “disappearing” images over DMs. These are photos that will instantly disappear after you view them once or twice.
Screenshotting a photo like this in your direct messages sends the user a notification right away. This means they’ll know you saved the pic — but you might have no idea they know. IG doesn’t alert you when you take a screenshot. Recording a one-view DM video has the same effect.
Posts themselves are safe, as Instagram doesn’t notify when you screenshot them. The same applies to “traditional” message photos that stay in the chat after you view them. You just have to be wary of disappearing photos and videos. So, can people see when you screenshot on Instagram? Yes, they can. But you won’t have to worry about this for most of the app’s features.
When You Shouldn’t Screenshot a Story
A big reason for using IG stories is content privacy. Sure, the app doesn’t ban users from taking screenshots. But there’s an expectation that Story posts are relatively secure. Some people even use the Close Friends feature to give only certain people exclusive access.
You shouldn’t screenshot Stories that are quite obviously private. The person in question may be on a private account, for example. This means they already only want their followers to see their Story posts. Are you on their Close Friends list? If so, never screenshot the Story without explicit permission. This could lead to backlash from users.
You could use a fake profile to view public accounts’ stories in secret. This is good if you want to see somebody’s story with plausible deniability. But only do this (and only screenshot) if you’re sure it’s ethical. This should already be the case with every Story. Don’t screenshot anything that you reasonably think the creator might not want to last forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Instagram one day re-add Story screenshot notifications?
We can’t say for certain if the next IG update will restore these warnings. However, we know the app originally removed them due to their unpopularity. It’s unlikely they’ll bring this back.
Can you screenshot Stories on the browser site?
Yes, learning how to screenshot a Story on Instagram for PC is as simple as using the Print Screen button. You can also use the Screen Snip function to select and save a specific part of your screen.
Is screenshotting a Story against Instagram’s Terms of Service?
No, the app could simply stop screenshots if this were the case. You’ll have nothing to worry about when screenshotting, but you should still be ethical about this.
Do people get notified when you screenshot on Instagram for PC?
No, there are no warnings on any platform.
Insta Screenshot Notifications: A Modern-Day Myth
The question “Does Instagram notify you when you screenshot a story?” won’t go away any time soon. But for now, you should instead focus on growing your audience.
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