Instagram is one of the best social media platforms. Launched in 2010, it was meant to be a video and photo-sharing platform. Nowadays, however, it is used by more than 2.35 billion users. Celebrities, influencers, major companies, and even some authorities use Instagram. You can also share photos or videos, reels, and stories, send direct messages, and have a business account among other things. It is a great place to be seen, heard, and to interreact with others.
It is quite likely to find some of your friends and family members on Instagram. When it comes to people who know you, you might want to be discreet about what you post or when you are online. There are different methods, and each provides you with a different solution.
Did you know you can hide your likes on Instagram? Take a look here at this guide to find out more: How to Hide Likes on Instagram.
Easy-mode
Turning off Activity Status on Instagram – Android & iOS
Open Instagram – Tap on your profile – Tap on the three-dot icon – Open settings – Open privacy – Open activity status – Turn off show activity status
Turning off Activity Status on Instagram – Windows
Open your browser – Type https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ in the URL box and press enter – Log into your account – Click on your profile – Open settings – Open privacy and security – Under activity status, turn off show activity status
Logging Out of Instagram – Android & iOS
Open Instagram – Tap on your profile icon – Tap on the three-dot icon – Open settings – Scroll down and tap on log out – If you are using iPhone, you either choose the app to remember your password or not – Confirm log out – You can remove any saved login information if you want
Logging Out of Instagram – Windows
Open your browser – Type https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ in the URL box and press enter – Log into your account – Click on your profile – Click on the gear icon next to the edit profile option – Click on log out
Why would you want to appear offline on Instagram?
- You do not want your friends to know you are online. Maybe you told them you cannot join them in a party because you have an exam tomorrow, and they might misunderstand if they see you active on Instagram.
- Someone sent you a message on Instagram, but you do not want to read it or cannot answer it right now, and you do not want them to know you have been online without reading their message. So, it is a good option to appear offline to prevent that. Of course, if you want to read a direct message without the message being marked as seen, you can use the half-swipe trick. I have explained completely how you can use this trick to read direct messages, reels, and posts without them being counted as seen here: How to Half Swipe on Instagram.
- You just like the air of mystery. I get it, who does not like it?
Turning off Activity Status on Instagram – Android & iOS
First, let’s see what activity status is. Instagram status is a feature allowing you to check if someone has been online recently. You can even see if they are online right now or when it was the last time they were online. Of course, just like how you can check whether your friends are online now or when their last online is, they can also check the same things about you.
Follow these steps to learn how to turn your activity status off.
Step 1:
Open your Instagram on your device. It looks a like a white camera icon with different shades of purple and yellow colors.
Step 2:
Look for the profile icon which has your profile picture on it in the lower right corner of your screen next to the heart icon. Tap on it.
Step 3:
Tap on the three-line icon in the upper right corner of your screen.
Step 4:
From the new menu, tap on settings.
Step 5:
Open privacy.
Step 6:
Among the options, find and tap on activity status.
Step 7:
To appear offline, turn off the show activity status.
- Once the show activity status option is turned off, no one will be able to see if you are online or when your last seen online was.
- Please note that when you turn this feature off, you will not be able to see your friend’s activity status either, even if they have not turned it off. It means that you cannot see if they are online or not, or when their last seen was.
- If you only want your last seen to be hidden, you can activate the show when you are active together option. This way, if you are both online, you can see that the other person is online. But if they are offline, you cannot see their last seen.
- Please note that, although you look offline now, if you read a direct message, it will be marked as seen, and it can give you away.
Now, let’s see how things are done on Windows. But before that, did you know Instagram allows you to post with someone? It is called a joint post. If you are curious to know more, take a look at my guide here: How to Post with Someone on Instagram. Also, if you face any problems in the process, you can have a look at this guide: Why Can’t I Do a Joint Post on Instagram.
Turning off Activity Status on Instagram – Windows
Step 1:
Open your browser, type https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ in the URL field at the top of your screen and press enter. Provide your login credentials on the login page. Choose whichever browser you are more comfortable with.
- It is better if you use an up-to-date browser, for an up-to-date browser has better security and will be able to support Telegram better.
- Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge are good web browsers and will be enough for what we are going to do. Microsoft Edge is installed on all Windows by default, and you can download the other two from their sites.
- Download Firefox from https://www.mozilla.org/
- Download Chrome from https://www.google.com/chrome/
Step 2:
Once you are done logging into your account, go to your profile. Same as your phone, it should have your profile picture as its icon. You should see it in the top right corner of your screen.
Step 3:
Open settings.
Step 4:
Step 5:
To appear offline, turn off the show activity status.
- Once the show activity status option is turned off, no one will be able to see if you are online or when your last seen online was.
- Please note that when you turn this feature off, you will not be able to see your friend’s activity status either, even if they have not turned it off. It means that you cannot see if they are online or not, or when their last seen was.
- Please note that, although you look offline now, if you read a direct message, it will be marked as seen, and it can give you away.
That is how you can take advantage of activity status to appear offline on Instagram. If you need more help on the matter, take a look here: How to Turn Off Active Status in Instagram.
Logging Out of Instagram – Android & iOS
Another method to look offline on the Instagram app is to log out of the app. Similar to the method concerning activity status, it is guaranteed to make you look offline.
Step 1:
Open Instagram on your mobile. It looks like a multi-colored camera.
Step 2:
Look for the profile icon which has your profile picture on it in the lower right corner of your screen next to the heart icon. Tap on it.
Step 3:
Tap on the three-line icon in the upper right corner of your screen.
Step 4:
Open settings.
Step 5:
Tap on log out. If you have more than one account, you will log out of [username] and log out of all accounts.
Step 6:
If you are using iPhone, you might be asked whether you want your password to be remembered for future logins. If you tap on remember, you will not be asked to provide your credentials the next time you log in. If you tap on not now, you will have to provide your username and password the next you log in. Newer versions of Android have a similar feature as well. However, this feature saves the password when you are about to log into the app.
Step 7:
Tap on log out.
Step 8:
You can remove your saved username and password if you do not want Instagram to keep them saved anymore. Simply tap on remove and it is done. If you have more than one account, tap on manage accounts below the listed account and tap on x looking icon next to each account.
Logging Out of Instagram – Windows
Let’s see how the same process is done when using a browser on Windows.
Step 1:
Open your browser of choice. Enter https://www.instagram.com/ in the URL bar at the top of your screen and press enter.
Step 2:
Click on your profile icon.
Step 3:
Click on the highlighted icon next to the edit profile option.
Step 4:
Click on log out. Most browsers have the option to remember your username and password when logging in to a site. If you have saved yours when logged in, the next time you want to log into your Instagram account on the browser, your username and password will be automatically filled in.
Did you know you can see who has viewed your highlights? Take a look at my guide here to find out what highlights are and how to see who has seen your highlights: How to See Who Viewed Your Instagram Highlights After 48 Hours.
Using Airplane Mode
Some believe that you can view stories while having your airplane mode on without these stories being ticked as seen by you. Additionally, you will appear offline on the app. These are all nothing but myths. If you have an internet connection and the Instagram app is open, you will appear online. There are different methods to achieve either of these goals, but this is not one of them.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Is there any way others can know I am online when I appear offline?
A: There is no sure way of telling if you are online or not when you have turned your activity status off (it is working as intended.). They can send you a message, and if you see it, they would know you are online (obviously). If you do not see the message, there is nothing they can do to find out. Of course, they can still find out if you are doing a live stream or something that requires them to be online.
Q: Are there any apps or third-party sites that allow others to see if I am online while appearing offline?
A: Many sites or apps are claiming they can do such a thing. However, let me assure you that such a thing is not possible. Only Instagram has access to such information, and it would be against their TOS (terms of service) and privacy policy to share it without your consent. (You have already denied it by turning the activity status off.)
Q: What else happens when you turn off your activity status aside from others not seeing your online status?
A: Just like how they will not be able to know when you are online or when your last seen was, you will not be able to see their activity status even if they have not turned this feature off.
Q: Will the activity status settings revert when I turn off or restart my phone?
A: No. The setting the applied to your account. It means that even when you turn off your device or restart it, it will not change. It is also consistent, meaning it will not change if you delete the Instagram app from your phone or even get a new phone. It is also applied to all of your devices. So, if you are using Instagram on a PC and a mobile device, it will affect both of them.
Q: How can I log out of Instagram if I’ve lost my phone or no longer have access to the device?
A: If you want to log out of your account due to any reason other than appearing offline on the app, you can visit Instagram’s site at https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ and change your password. Once you have changed your password successfully, Instagram will terminate all your active sessions. Any session open on the device will be closed as soon as the device has an internet connection.
Is there a way to appear offline on Instagram?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Instagram does not have a built-in feature that allows users to appear offline or invisible to other users. When you are active on Instagram, it generally shows that you are online or have recently been active.
However, there are a few workarounds you can try if you prefer to limit your visibility:
1. Disable “Show Activity Status”: In your Instagram settings, you can turn off the “Show Activity Status” option. This will prevent others from seeing when you were last active on the platform. Keep in mind that if you disable this option, you will also not be able to see the activity status of others.
2. Use Airplane Mode or Disable Internet Connection: By enabling Airplane Mode or disconnecting from the internet, you can effectively prevent Instagram from updating your online status. However, this means you won’t be able to browse or interact with the app until you reconnect.
3. Use Instagram in “Ghost Mode”: You can use third-party Instagram client apps that offer features like “Ghost Mode” or “Incognito Mode.” These apps allow you to browse Instagram without showing your online status to others. Be cautious when using third-party apps and make sure to review their security and privacy policies.
Please note that Instagram’s features and settings may change over time, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest Instagram app updates and official documentation for any new privacy features or options that may become available.
How do I appear offline on Instagram 2023?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Instagram does not have a built-in feature that allows users to appear offline or invisible to other users. However, it’s important to note that Instagram frequently updates its features and settings, so it’s possible that new privacy options may be introduced in the future.
To check if there have been any changes to Instagram’s settings regarding online status, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the Instagram app on your device.
2. Go to your profile by tapping on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
3. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
4. Scroll down and tap on “Settings.”
5. Look for any options related to online status or visibility. If there is an option available to appear offline or hide your online status, you can enable it from there.
If Instagram has introduced an option to appear offline in the future, it is likely to be found in the settings section of the app. Make sure to keep your Instagram app updated to access the latest features and options.
Please note that my knowledge is based on information available until September 2021, and there may have been updates or changes to Instagram’s features since then. It is always recommended to refer to Instagram’s official documentation or support channels for the most up-to-date information on privacy settings.
How do you appear offline on Instagram for one person?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Instagram does not provide a specific feature to appear offline for only one person. When you’re active on Instagram, your online status is generally visible to all your followers and other users.
However, there are a few indirect ways you can limit your visibility to a specific person:
1. Restrict the person: You can consider using the “Restrict” feature on Instagram for that particular person. When you restrict someone, their comments on your posts are only visible to them, and they won’t be able to see when you’re active or if you’ve read their direct messages. This can give the impression of being offline or less active for that individual.
2. Mute notifications: By muting notifications from a specific person, you can reduce the visibility of their activity on your Instagram account. This won’t make you appear offline, but it can help minimize your interaction and their awareness of your online presence.
3. Adjust privacy settings: You can review and modify your privacy settings on Instagram to control who can see your posts, stories, and other activities. By limiting the visibility of your content, you can indirectly reduce your online visibility to specific individuals.
Please note that these methods are not direct ways to appear offline to a specific person, but they can help manage your interaction and visibility on Instagram. Additionally, Instagram’s features and settings may change over time, so it’s advisable to regularly check the app’s updates and official documentation for any new privacy options that may become available.
How do you appear offline on Instagram but still see who’s online?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, Instagram does not have a feature that allows you to appear offline while still being able to see who’s online. When you are active on Instagram, it typically shows your online status to others.
However, you can try the following workarounds to limit your visibility while still being able to see who’s online:
1. Disable “Show Activity Status”: In your Instagram settings, you can turn off the “Show Activity Status” option. This will prevent others from seeing when you were last active on the platform. However, please note that if you disable this option, you will also not be able to see the activity status of others.
2. Use Airplane Mode or Disable Internet Connection: By enabling Airplane Mode or disconnecting from the internet, you can effectively prevent Instagram from updating your online status. However, keep in mind that this will also limit your own browsing and interaction on the app until you reconnect.
It’s important to remember that these workarounds may have limitations and are not official features provided by Instagram. Instagram’s features and settings may also change over time, so it’s always a good idea to stay updated with the latest app updates and official documentation for any new privacy options that may become available.
Why can’t I see if someone’s active on Instagram?
There could be several reasons why you might not be able to see if someone is active on Instagram:
1. Privacy Settings: The person you’re trying to check may have disabled the “Show Activity Status” feature in their Instagram settings. When this feature is turned off, their online status won’t be visible to anyone, including you.
2. Restricted Account: If the person has restricted or blocked you on Instagram, you won’t be able to see their activity status. Restrictions and blocks limit the visibility of certain interactions and information between accounts.
3. Internet Connectivity: It’s possible that your own internet connection or device is experiencing issues, preventing the real-time synchronization of activity statuses. In such cases, try reconnecting to the internet or restarting your device to see if that resolves the issue.
4. Temporary Glitch: Occasionally, Instagram might experience technical glitches or temporary issues that affect the visibility of activity statuses. If the problem persists, you can try logging out and logging back into your Instagram account or reinstalling the app to see if that resolves the issue.
Remember that Instagram’s features and settings may change over time, so it’s possible that the visibility of activity statuses has been modified since my knowledge cutoff in September 2021. It’s recommended to refer to Instagram’s official documentation or support channels for the most up-to-date information on activity status visibility.
What does it look like when someone restricts you on IG?
When someone restricts you on Instagram, there are a few changes to how your interactions with that person appear:
1. Comments: When you leave a comment on their posts, only you and the person who restricted you will be able to see that comment. Other users, including their followers, won’t see your comment.
2. Direct Messages: If you send direct messages to the person who restricted you, those messages will be moved to the Message Requests section. The person will have the option to approve or decline your message. If they approve it, they can read your message and choose to respond or not. However, if they decline your message, you won’t be able to send them messages in the future unless they choose to unrestrict you.
3. Activity Status: You won’t be able to see the person’s activity status or when they were last active on Instagram. Similarly, they won’t be able to see your activity status.
4. Story Views: Your view on their Instagram Stories will not be visible to them. They won’t receive a notification or see your username listed among the viewers of their Stories.
It’s important to note that these indications can vary depending on the specific actions taken by the person who restricted you and any subsequent changes made by Instagram to their features and settings.
Conclusion
Instagram is one of the most popular social platforms out there. Instagram offers many features. You can post photos and videos, you can make reels, or share your moments in the form of stories, you can chat with other users, comment and tag people, etc. There are currently over 2.35 billion monthly active users which could mean some of your friends, family member, or colleagues might be on Instagram. For many different reasons, you might not want them to know you are online at the moment. Today, I explained how you can use different methods including activity status, logging out of the app, and airplane mode to appear offline on Instagram. Hope you found this guide useful. Good Luck!
