Meta is finally testing a feature that will let you turn off read receipts on Instagram so that you can read your messages in private without feeling obligated to respond immediately.
Previously, users often resorted to restricting others on Instagram to avoid leaving read receipts, coupled with turning off their activity status to appear offline. This tactic helped them to maintain the impression that they had not yet seen the messages.
However, with the latest update, these roundabout methods are no longer necessary. You can now turn off read receipts on Instagram within the app, and we're going to show you how.
How to turn off read receipts on Instagram
With read receipts disabled, even if you read someone's message, they won't be able to see the "seen" label beneath their message. This allows for reading messages without notifying the sender of their receipt.
To turn off read receipts on Instagram, follow these steps:
- Navigate to your DMs and open a conversation.
- Tap on the profile name at the top of the chat.
- Scroll to find the "Privacy and Safety" section.
- Locate the "Read Receipts" option and switch the toggle off.
Because the adjustment of read receipts is made within a specific conversation and not from the main settings menu on Instagram, it remains unclear whether this change affects only the selected chat or extends to all conversations on the platform.
Generally, read receipts settings tend to be applied globally, affecting all chats once changed. However, without specific confirmation from Instagram's features or settings documentation, this cannot be stated with absolute certainty.
Instagram read receipts not working
If you're experiencing issues with Instagram read receipts not functioning, or if the option isn't visible, there are a couple of potential reasons.
First, you might be using "Vanish mode" in your chat. It's important to note that messages sent in Vanish Mode always send read receipts. To resolve this issue, simply deactivate Vanish Mode.
Additionally, Instagram often introduces new features in phases to its users. If the read receipt option isn't available in your account, it likely means the feature hasn't been rolled out to you yet. In this case, patience is key.
Keep your Instagram app updated to ensure you receive the latest features as soon as they become available to you.