Are you able to appear offline on Instagram? There you are, mindlessly scrolling through the endless bombardment of carefully curated media that makes you feel increasingly disconsolate about the quotidian nightmare that is your life, as you sit at your computer eating yet another cheese and pickle sandwich with bread that is just a little on the dry side.
The last thing you need is someone clocking that you're online, and sending you messages that you have no desire to receive.
Sometimes we all just need a little time to ourselves. And thanks to Instagram's Active Status settings, that possibility is ever closer to being within reach. There is a way to stop people from seeing you when you're online. So you can enjoy or endure Instagram to your hearts' content, safe in the knowledge that you'll be left well alone.
How To Appear Offline On Instagram
As we alluded to above, appearing offline on Instagram involves tweaking your Active Status settings. Thankfully, it's a really simple process. Just follow these steps:
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings > Privacy.
- Tap Activity status
- Toggle off the switch next to Show Active Status to appear offline.
- Toggle on the switch next to Show When You're Active Together to see when you both are active in the same chat.
Once you've done this, you will no longer display the little green dot that announces to the world that you are online at that very moment. Freedom is yours. But there are a couple of things to bear in mind.
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What Is Active Status?
While you may be giddy about the fact that you are now like some sort of Instagram Ninja, it's worth noting that this is a two-way street. Let's explain.
Active Status is a setting that allows people you follow, or those you have direct conversations with, to see when you're active, or when were recently active, on Instagram. When it's switched on, a little green dot will be visible next to your profile picture on Instagram Direct.
And, in reverse, a green dot will be next to the profile picture of people you follow, or have direct conversations with, if they also have Active Status switched on.
But if you decide to switch off Active Status, you lose access to seeing the Active Status of other people as well. In other words, you don't get to see who else is online, or if they have been recently active.
For most people who want to be left alone on Instagram, that's probably not much of an issue. But it's worth noting, in case you were hoping to use this as a two-way mirror.
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How To Appear Offline On Instagram For One Person
Yes, there is a way to appear offline to one particular person.
You can restrict them and as a result, they won't be able to see if you are online or if you have read their messages. To restrict someone, go to their profile > tap on the 3-dot icon on the top left and select Restrict.
And in case you are wondering, they will not know that you have restricted them.
Now that you have learned how to appear offline on Instagram, have a look at how to fix Instagram crashing and also learn about Instagram order of followers.