Instagram stories are a popular feature of the platform, but did you know there’s a way to screenshot an Instagram story without the user getting notified? In this blog post, we will share step-by-step methods to help you capture those memorable story moments without alerting the user.
Understanding Instagram Story Notifications
Whether or not you have scheduled your Instagram stories, the app sends you a notification whenever someone likes your posts or stories, comments on them, tags you under any post or story, send you a follow request, or starts following you.
You can customize your notifications for the people you follow to receive them as soon as they make a post or post a story, reel, or live video by tapping the ‘bell’ icon next to their profile and selecting which mode of their content you would like notifications from.
On the contrary, Instagram doesn’t notify you when someone visits your profile, views your stories, unfollows you, blocks you, or saves your post or reels. However, you can always see who viewed your story because the viewer’s name appears in the list of story viewers.
Steps to Screenshot an Instagram Story Without Notifying
With an average of 1 billion monthly active users on Instagram, one is bound to be tempted into taking screenshots of some of the stories they see daily.
News is now making rounds that the most famous social platform is testing a feature in which content authors could be alerted if anyone takes screenshots of their stories.
But we have something good to tell you if you want to keep the screenshots discreet!
Yes, there are still some ways through which you can screenshot Instagram stories of your favorite people without them knowing. The best ones include the following:
1. Use Airplane Mode
After switching your phone to Airplane mode, taking a screenshot won’t notify the user because this mode disconnects the internet. There are no records of your activity when you reconnect to the internet.
2. Use a Screen Recording Feature
Androids 11 or higher and all iPhones have a built-in Screen Recording feature in their OS. You can make use of this to record a story with/without sound to have it saved with you without letting the content author know at all.
Add or locate the Screen recorder option in your notification panel (android) or control center (iPhone). Open the Instagram story you wish to record, and from the control center/notification panel, tap on the screen recorder to start recording.
3. Use Third-Party Apps
Yes, you can also rely on third-party apps for capturing story screenshots. Countless apps let you take screenshots while hiding your identity.
Remember that this is not a very trusted way, though. You may face bug issues, run time errors, or exposure of your privacy and compromising on your security.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Taking Screenshots
Everyone wants to create engaging stories on Instagram, and taking screenshots of someone else’s stories can be a valuable way to capture inspiration. However, a few essential things to remember before taking screenshots to ensure you respect others’ privacy and adhere to Instagram’s guidelines.
Before taking screenshots, you must question yourself:
- Why do you need to take a screenshot?
- What are the individual’s expectations of privacy?
- In which context do you want to use the screenshot?
Then, proceed to abide by these critical considerations:
1. Respect Privacy
Before taking screenshots of Instagram stories, it’s crucial to respect the privacy of the original content creator. If someone has shared an Instagram story with you privately or if their story contains sensitive or personal information, it’s best to seek permission before capturing and sharing their content.
Always consider the context and the individual’s privacy expectations.
2. Seek Permission or Give Credit
If you plan to share a screenshot of an Instagram story on your profile or elsewhere, it’s generally good practice to seek permission from the content creator.
Reach out to them and ask for their consent to share their content or give credit where appropriate. This shows respect for their work and helps maintain a positive and supportive community on Instagram.
3. Be Mindful of Copyright
Like any other form of content, Instagram stories are subject to copyright protection. When taking screenshots, being aware of copyright laws and regulations is essential.
Avoid capturing and sharing copyrighted material without proper authorization, as this may infringe on the original creator’s rights. Instead, focus on capturing and sharing your content or seek permission from others to use theirs.
4. Consider the Context
Before taking a screenshot, consider the context in which the story was shared. Stories are often brief, intended for a limited time, and may contain content meant to be temporary or only relevant within a specific timeframe.
Ensure that the content you capture is still accurate and relevant when sharing. Avoid taking screenshots of outdated or time-sensitive information that may no longer be valid.
5. Familiarize Yourself with Instagram’s Guidelines
Stay updated with Instagram’s community guidelines and terms of service to understand the platform’s rules and policies.
Instagram may have specific guidelines regarding using and sharing content, including stories. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure your actions align with the platform’s expectations and avoid potential violations.
Remember, respecting, seeking permission, and adhering to copyright and privacy considerations are essential when taking screenshots of Instagram stories.
By being mindful of these factors, you can maintain a positive and ethical presence on the platform and contribute to a supportive community of content creators and users.
Alternative Way to Save an Instagram Story
If you are an avid screenshot taker, look at these alternative ways to save an Instagram story. Not only are they an ethical way of doing so, but they also protect you from breaching copyrights.
1. Story Saving Apps
If you want to save an entire story that might include videos, taking a screenshot wouldn’t suffice. For this, you would want to take help from a utility that offers Save or Download feature for Instagram stories.
Story Saver, Toolzu, and RePoster are famous utilities allowing you to search for the user and download their stories while hiding your credentials.
2. Request permission from the story uploader
You can always ask for consent from the story uploader to save the stories they posted. You might give them a valid reason for doing so to gain their trust.
In turn, they might allow you to save or screenshot their stories. They might also send their stories to you in your DMs for better pixels.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, it’s perfectly possible to screenshot an Instagram story without triggering a notification. While this could be useful in certain situations, it’s always important to remember to respect the privacy of others.
