How To Turn Off Instagram Activity Status?

Dear Instagram User,

Your favorite photo and video-sharing app has a feature that tells your friends and followers when you were last active! 

The ability to see who is online, when they were last active, and how long it's been since they last logged in is an incredibly handy feature that can assist you in several ways. 

It enables you to gauge whether you can expect an immediate response if you need a quick answer. Additionally, it's convenient to know who's online if you're just looking to chat; you can easily check and message friends who are still active online.

This 'Activity Status' feature on Instagram is similar to the one found on Facebook and WhatsApp. Now, this feature is turned off by default. However, if you don't like to show people when you were last online, it's better to check and lie on the safer side.

In this guide, we will explore how to turn off your active status on Instagram while exploring other similar privacy tactics that Instagram caters to!

Who Can See When You're Active On Instagram?

You might be hesitant to turn off your active status on Instagram but also concerned about others knowing when you are online. However, as an active IG user, you must understand that this information isn't as readily available as you might know.

Here’s what you must know:

• Navigating your activity status on Instagram is not feasible for someone who rarely visits your profile or finds you in the comment section.

• Your followers also can't see when you were last active. All they see is a green dot assessing your online status.

• The activity status is visible to people you are closely interacting with or receive direct messages from.

So, if someone can see your activity status on Instagram, you have directly interacted with them on Instagram. This is how the features get private and mindful for users.

How to see who’s active on Instagram?

Are you thinking of seeing if your pal is online on Instagram? You can do it! However, note that this active status feature is visible only to people following each other on Instagram.

Here's how you do it!

• Profile Photos

Go to the direct messages page on the Instagram app and see the profile photo of the person there. If it shows a green dot, it means they are active.

• Chat List

Keep going down your chat list, and you will see a green dot with the status 'Active Now' if the person is available on Instagram. Even when the user is not active, it will show how many hours ago they were active.

• Chat Header

When you are actively talking to another user on Instagram, the chat header will show 'Active Now,' and when both of you are talking, it will show 'You’re both in the chat.'

How to Turn Off Instagram Activity Status?

However, you might be uncomfortable or hesitant to show your active status on Instagram to other users. It is completely fine and your choice. In such cases, you can turn off active status on Instagram for other fellow users.

Turning off activity status on Instagram applies to smartphones and mobile phone users. Here's how you can do it on both platforms.

From your smartphone (iPhone or Android)

Please note that the process to turn off your active status on Instagram on mobile phones is the same for Android and iOS users. Find the steps below:

• Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your iOS and Android mobile app

• Step 2: In the bottom right corner of the app, you will see your profile picture, select it.

• Step 3: Click on the hamburger icon (the three horizontal lines) present in the top-right-hand corner

• Step 4: From the pop-up menu, click "Settings"

• Step 5: Choose 'Privacy"

• Step 6: Select "Activity Status"

• Step 7: Toggle the "Show When You're Active Together" and "Show Activity Status" sliders to the "Off" position.

On your Desktop

If you are a desktop Instagram user, you can turn off the activity status on the Instagram app. Find the steps below:

• Step 1: Open the Instagram application on the web

• Step 2: Tap on the profile icon

• Step 3: Click on the gear icon (Settings)

• Step 4: From the pop-up menu, select "Privacy and Security."

• Step 5: Find the "Activity Status" header

• Step 6: Uncheck "Show activity status" or move the toggle to the "Off" position.

Why Should You Keep Activity Status On Or Off?

There are recognizable benefits of keeping your activity status turned off on Instagram. It lets you know your friend's activity status without intruding on their privacy.

Your friend would see a meme immediately if you send it to them right when they are active.

However, the most significant benefit of turning off your activity status on Instagram is not to let anyone know that you are online. This gives you the freedom to answer DMs at your own pace. 

There might be a chance that you do not wish to announce your social media presence, but the little green dot betrays the purpose. It could be because you've told someone you are heading to bed, and the Instagram activity status showed that you've still not slept. It creates a very awkward situation.

Hence, the hiding features become handy in concealing whether you're online. The process does not require much time, making it a job requiring a few minutes.

The drawback is that when you turn off your activity status, you won't be able to view anyone else's activity status.

Conclusion

Social media platforms do not allow you to stay private. However, smaller settings and changes here and there can help you keep some things private on Instagram.

Leverage the settings to turn off your activity status on IG and prevent showing your activity status to people you have DM'd. It simply helps you enjoy your privacy while surfing the application.