Right now, Instagram is home over 2 billion monthly active users, with thousands of new posts going live every day. But what happens if you want to save your favorite posts for later?
While Instagram offers in-built saving features for grid posts, you might also find yourself taking Instagram screenshots to capture other users’ content, especially for Instagram Stories and Direct Messages (DMs). If you’ve ever needed to screen record on the ‘gram, you might wondering: does Instagram notify creators when you screenshot content?
We’ve got the answers to your most pressing questions. Here’s what really happens when you spot valuable content on Instagram and save it to your phone’s gallery. This is your guide to Instagram screenshot notifications!
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story?
Generally speaking, the Instagram app does not notify users when someone takes a screenshot or a screen recording from an Instagram story. For most Instagrammers, this is good news!
Plann’s Instagram Story
A brunette woman appears onscreen, talking to camera as she offers a tutorial on Plann’s IG scheduling features.
When you share an Instagram story, the idea is that content is fleeting. An Instagram story is only live for 24 hours before it disappears into the archive and can only be found by its creator, unless it is saved to an Instagram story highlight at the top of that person’s account.
Story screenshots are the key to keeping hold of information, even after the 24-hour window is up. A simple screenshot or screen recording allows you to store an Instagram story display in your device’s camera roll, making it easy to revisit content when you need to.
Tread carefully, though, regardless of whether you’re capturing content from a large account or a close friend’s story. It’s always important to be respectful on social media. When taking story screenshots, make sure that you aren’t overstepping or invading the creator’s privacy. If you want to use images from Instagram stories in some way, make sure you have permission from and credit the original poster.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Post?
Similarly, when you capture a screenshot, or use the screen record button to capture a video, from an Instagram post, the original creator is none the wiser.
Instagram is not currently set up notify users when someone takes a screenshot, as this action occurs outside of the Instagram app. In other words, the act of screenshotting is beyond Instagram’s own domain. The app may not even register that a photo has been taken.
In many cases, screenshotting an Instagram post isn’t necessary. Instead, you can use the platform’s in-built save feature to store the posts you love in a curated gallery, all within the app. Instagram won’t send notifications for saved posts either.
Plann Instagram Post
The Plann June content prompts Instagram post appears. The save bookmark icon at the bottom of the caption has been enlarged for display.
When you save content, the poster won’t be able to see who has saved their image, but they will be able to see how many saves their content has earned. They might even benefit from an algorithm boost! This can often be a more practical content-saving approach. Plus, you’ll be supporting the creators you love!
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a DM?
Having a direct message conversation with a few of your close friends and want to save a message (or several) for future reference? Simple!
Taking screenshots of direct messages is an easy way to save and preserve information, especially as specific details move further back in the chat. Alternatively, recording the screen allows you to save a scrolling clip to your device’s video folder, where you can refer back to a selection of messages later.
Instagram Messaging
An Instagram message channel titled “The Next Chapter” appears. The latest message is a poll, including a range of content types for users to choose between.
Instagram does not notify other users when you screenshot a direct message conversation. Still, from an ethical perspective, it’s important to be mindful of trust and privacy considerations. When you plan to take a screenshot, it’s usually best to let other users know that you’re saving their messages and clarify how you plan to use them.
Do Encrypted Chats on Instagram Notify When Screenshot?
Instagram also offers encrypted chats, which offer an extra layer of privacy to keep your conversations secure. In this context, end-to-end encryption means that only specific devices with preset codes can unlock the direct messages in an encrypted chat. Even the Meta team can’t read encrypted messages!
For even more privacy, some users rely on vanish mode settings. With vanish mode, you can send vanishing media and disappearing messages. These texts will appear for only a short time and disappear when someone leaves the chat or switches off the vanish controls.
Regardless of how secure or encrypted your Instagram chat is, third-party apps exist outside of the ‘gram’s domain. This means that Instagram can’t and won’t notify other users when you take a screenshot or recording. The responsibility is on you, as a user, to understand the importance of privacy and do the right thing by the people you’re communicating with.
Do Users Get Notified When Their Post Is Shared?
Sometimes, great Instagram content deserves a wider audience! In these instances, you might choose to share a post, either to your stories or with a friend via direct message.
Instagram’s notification system for shared posts varies depending on the way you choose to share. If you share a post to your own stories, Instagram will often notify the original creator and give that user the chance to reply (and thank you for the support!).
If you share a post or reel with a friend using Instagram’s direct messaging tools, the post creator will not receive any notification. In this case, you might like to leave a comment on the post so that the creator knows how much you love it!
Plann for Instagram Success
When it comes to building a strong Instagram presence, learning the basics can help you optimize platform usage and understand what it takes to grow your account.
Whether you’re a skilled social superstar or a social media management newbie, Plann has the tools you need to take the next step! Check out the latest insights on the blog, or sign up for a FREE 7-day trial, and start scheduling content across all your favorite social media platforms.
