If you use Instagram, you might have noticed a small green dot or a timestamp next to some of your friends' profile pictures in the direct message list. This indicates their activity status, which shows when they were last active or currently active on Instagram. But what does this feature mean for your privacy, and how can you control it?
What Is Instagram Activity Status?
The activity status on Instagram is a feature that lets other users you follow and anyone you message see when you were last active or currently active on Instagram. For example, if you are using the app right now, your activity status will show as “Active now”. If you were using the app an hour ago, your activity status will show as “Active 1h ago”. If you have not used the app for more than 8 hours but less than 24 hours, your activity status will show as “Active today”. If you have not used the app for more than 24 hours, your activity status will not show at all.
The activity status on Instagram is only visible to people who follow you or have direct conversations with you. It is not visible to anyone else, such as your followers who do not follow you back or people who visit your profile. You can also choose to share if you are currently active in a chat with someone by enabling the “Show when you're active together” option in your settings.
Why Would You Want to Turn Off Your Activity Status on Instagram?
There are several reasons why you might want to turn off your activity status on Instagram. Some of them are:
- You value your privacy and do not want others to know when you are online or offline.
- You do not want to feel pressured to reply to messages or interact with others based on your activity status.
- You want to avoid unwanted attention or harassment from people who might stalk your online activity.
- You want to have more control over who can see your online presence and when.
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram Web (PC)
If you use Instagram in your web browser or via the official Windows app, follow these steps to turn Activity Status on (or off).
- Click your Instagram profile picture
- Click the wheel button to open Instagram settings
- Select “Privacy and security”
- Uncheck “Show Activity Status”
How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram Mobile (App)
If you use the Instagram app on your mobile device, follow these steps to turn Activity Status on (or off).
- Tap your Instagram profile picture
- Tap the menu button on the top right
- Select “Settings”
- Tap on “Privacy”
- Select “Activity Status”
- Tap the switch for “Show Activity Status” to turn active status on (or off)
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Activity Status
If I turn off my active status, will it retroactively hide my previous activity times from others?
No, turning off your active status will not hide any previous activity timestamps that others may have already seen. It only prevents your activity status from being shown from the moment you turn it off going forward. Any past activity status, such as “Active 1h ago”, will not be visible if someone checks after you've disabled the feature, but if they saw it before you turned it off, that information is not erased from their memory.
Can I turn off active status for Instagram Stories as well?
The active status feature is separate from Instagram Stories, so turning off your active status will not affect the visibility of your stories or the information about when you viewed others' stories. To manage the privacy of your stories, you can adjust your story settings separately, such as choosing who can see them or hiding them from specific users.
What happens to the green dot next to my name in direct messages if I turn off my active status?
When you turn off your active status, the green dot that indicates you are “Currently Active” will no longer appear next to your name in the direct message list or in the chat window. This means that people you're messaging with won't be able to tell if you're online at that moment or when you were last active on Instagram.
Is there a way to temporarily disable my active status without permanently turning off the feature?
Instagram does not currently offer a feature to temporarily disable your active status. You have to manually turn it off and then turn it back on each time you wish to hide or show your activity. This can be done quickly through the settings menu, but it requires manual intervention each time.
Does Instagram allow any exceptions for showing active status, such as for family members or close friends?
Instagram's active status feature is all-encompassing and does not provide the option to make exceptions for specific individuals like family members or close friends. When you turn off your active status, it is hidden from all other users equally, regardless of your relationship with them.
How quickly does my active status update after I close the app?
The active status on Instagram updates within a few minutes after you close the app. However, this can sometimes vary based on your internet connection and Instagram's server response times. If you close the app and immediately someone checks your status, they might still see you as active until the status updates.
If I'm using Instagram on multiple devices, does turning off active status on one device apply to all?
Yes, when you turn off your active status on one device, it applies to all devices where you are logged into Instagram. This is because the setting is associated with your account, not a specific device, ensuring consistent privacy control across all access points.
Can turning off my active status help in reducing data usage on mobile devices?
While turning off your active status has a negligible impact on data usage, minimizing data usage on Instagram involves other practices such as reducing video playback, downloading content over Wi-Fi, and using the app's data saver mode. The active status feature itself does not significantly affect data consumption.
Will I still appear in the ‘Suggested Friends' list of others if my active status is turned off?
Your appearance in others' ‘Suggested Friends‘ lists is not directly affected by your active status setting. Instagram suggests friends based on mutual connections, profile interactions, and other social signals rather than your online status.
If I block someone, can they still see my last active status before I blocked them?
Once you block someone on Instagram, they lose all access to your profile information, including your last active status. They will not be able to see any updates or information related to your account, effectively making your active status invisible to them regardless of its setting prior to the block.
Does turning off active status also hide my ‘last seen' in the DMs?
Yes, disabling your active status on Instagram also hides the ‘last seen‘ information in direct messages. This means that users you've messaged will not be able to see any indication of when you were last active on the app, providing a more private messaging experience.
Can people I've never messaged see my active status if I have it turned on?
Your active status is only visible to users you follow and those you've messaged on Instagram. This means that if you have never messaged someone and do not follow them, they will not be able to see your active status, even if it's turned on.
If someone unfollows me, will they still see my active status?
If someone unfollows you but you have an existing direct message thread with them, they may still see your active status, provided you haven't turned it off. To completely remove your active status visibility from someone, you would need to unfollow them, block them, or turn off your active status.
Does deactivating my Instagram account temporarily hide my active status?
Deactivating your Instagram account temporarily removes all traces of your account from the platform, including your active status. Your profile, along with all associated features like active status, becomes invisible to others until you choose to reactivate your account.
If I reactivate my Instagram account, will my active status settings remain as I set them before deactivation?
When you deactivate and then reactivate your Instagram account, most of your settings, including your active status preferences, are preserved. However, it's always a good idea to check your privacy settings upon reactivation to ensure everything is set according to your preferences.
Related: How to Change Your Instagram Username
If you have changed your niche, target audience, or style of content, you might want to change your username to reflect that. In our other guide, we show you how to change your name on Instagram in the mobile app or on a PC using the web version.
Related: How to Delete a Comment on Instagram and Use Comment Filters for Unwanted Words
Comments on Instagram are public interactions that can shape the perception of your profile. A hastily written comment or an unintended typo can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or misrepresentations. At times, you might find yourself in a situation where you need to delete a comment – maybe it's a typo in your comment, a change of mind, or an inappropriate remark left by someone else on your post. Whatever the reason, Instagram provides a straightforward way to handle these situations. In our other guide, we show you how to delete comments on Instagram manually, how to block them automatically with keyword filters and how to mute someone to not see anything from them anymore.
Last Updated on April 21, 2024 10:12 am CEST
