In today’s digital age, many people value their privacy and prefer to manage how much of their online activity is visible to others. Instagram’s “Active Status” feature displays when you are online or were last active, letting others know when you’re available to chat. While this feature can be useful, it may not suit everyone, especially if you prefer to browse privately. Fortunately, Instagram offers a simple way to disable your active status.
This article walks you through how to turn off your active status on Instagram, both on mobile devices and through the Instagram website.
Why Turn Off Your Active Status?
Before jumping into the “how,” let’s explore some reasons why you might want to disable this feature:
- Privacy: Turning off active status means others won’t know when you’re online or when you were last active.
- Focus: Disabling active status can help reduce distractions by making it less likely that people will reach out for a quick chat.
- Peace of Mind: If you enjoy using Instagram for browsing and creating rather than chatting, turning off active status can let you engage without interruptions.
Now, let’s dive into the steps to turn off your active status on Instagram.
How to Turn Off Active Status on the Instagram Mobile App
If you primarily use Instagram on your phone, here’s how you can disable your active status:
Step 1: Open the Instagram App
Make sure you’re logged into your account. If you have multiple accounts, repeat these steps for each one where you’d like to disable active status.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile
Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the screen to open your profile.
Step 3: Access Settings
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner of your profile screen to open the menu.
- From the menu, select Settings and Privacy.
Step 4: Find the Active Status Setting
- Scroll down to the How Others Can Interact with You section.
- Tap on Messages and Story Replies to open this section.
Step 5: Toggle Off “Show Activity Status”
You should see an option labeled Show Activity Status. Simply toggle this off. When this is disabled, your friends and followers will no longer be able to see when you’re online or when you were last active.
How to Turn Off Active Status on the Instagram Website
You can also disable your active status through Instagram’s desktop version. Here’s how:
Step 1: Log into Instagram on Your Browser
Go to www.instagram.com and log in to your account.
Step 2: Go to Your Profile Settings
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Navigate to “Privacy and Security”
In the left sidebar, you’ll find an option labeled Privacy and Security. Click on this to access your privacy settings.
Step 4: Disable “Show Activity Status”
Scroll down until you find Show Activity Status. Uncheck this box to turn off your active status.
Important Notes
- Reciprocal Setting: Turning off your active status means that you won’t be able to see when others are online or when they were last active, either. This setting works both ways.
- No Effect on Direct Messages: Disabling active status won’t prevent you from sending or receiving direct messages. It only affects visibility.
- Can Be Re-enabled Anytime: If you want to turn your active status back on in the future, simply revisit these settings and toggle it back on.
Additional Tips for Managing Privacy on Instagram
Beyond turning off your active status, here are a few more ways to increase your privacy on Instagram:
- Limit Who Can See Your Stories: Go to Story Settings under Privacy to control who can view your stories.
- Review Follower Requests Regularly: For private accounts, make it a habit to review who is following you to ensure you’re comfortable with your audience.
- Restrict or Block Unwanted Accounts: If someone is bothering you, Instagram lets you restrict or block accounts easily through their profile or from your messages.
Conclusion
Instagram’s active status feature can be convenient, but it isn’t for everyone. Whether you want a little extra privacy or simply prefer a more peaceful browsing experience, disabling this feature is quick and easy on both mobile and desktop. Taking control of these settings helps you use Instagram the way you want, with your privacy preferences in mind.