Instagram has become a cornerstone of social media, with over 1 billion monthly active users sharing photos, videos, and stories. One of its standout features is Instagram Highlights, which allows users to curate and save their favorite Stories on their profiles indefinitely. But a question that frequently pops up is: Does Instagram notify users when someone takes a screenshot of their Highlights? This concern stems from privacy considerations and the platform’s evolving features. In this 1600-word guide, we’ll explore Instagram’s screenshot policies for Highlights, Stories, posts, and direct messages (DMs), along with practical tips for maintaining privacy and using Highlights effectively. Let’s dive in!
Understanding Instagram Highlights
What Are Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights are curated collections of Stories that users can pin to their profiles. Unlike regular Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights remain accessible until the user removes them. They appear as circular icons below the bio section of a profile, making them a great way to showcase important moments, promote a brand, or highlight key content.
Why Are Highlights Popular?
Highlights are popular because they allow users to organize and preserve their Stories for long-term visibility. For personal accounts, they might feature travel memories, life events, or hobbies. For businesses, Highlights can showcase products, services, customer testimonials, or behind-the-scenes content. With over 500 million users engaging with Stories daily, Highlights provide a way to make fleeting content permanent and accessible.
Does Instagram Notify Screenshots of Highlights?
The Short Answer
No, Instagram does not notify users when someone takes a screenshot of their Highlights. As of 2025, Instagram’s privacy settings do not include a feature to alert users when their Highlights are screenshotted. This applies to both public and private accounts, as well as Highlights shared with a Close Friends list.
Why Doesn’t Instagram Notify for Highlight Screenshots?
Instagram’s decision to not notify users about Highlight screenshots aligns with its broader approach to fostering open content sharing. Here are a few reasons why Instagram avoids screenshot notifications for Highlights:
- User Engagement: Notifying users about screenshots could discourage interaction with Highlights and Stories, reducing overall platform engagement. Instagram prioritizes a relaxed, user-friendly environment where people feel comfortable sharing content.
- Market Competition: Unlike Snapchat, which pioneered screenshot notifications for ephemeral content, Instagram aims to differentiate itself by keeping its ecosystem less restrictive. This encourages users to engage freely with content without feeling monitored.
- Technical Limitations: Detecting screenshots, especially those taken via third-party apps or external devices, is challenging. Instagram focuses on built-in features like saving or bookmarking content instead of tracking screenshots.
A Brief History of Instagram’s Screenshot Notifications
In 2018, Instagram briefly tested a feature that notified users when someone screenshotted their Stories. During this trial, a star-shaped icon appeared next to the viewer’s name in the Story viewers list, indicating a screenshot. However, due to significant backlash from users who felt it invaded their privacy, Instagram scrapped the feature. Since then, Instagram has not revisited screenshot notifications for Stories or Highlights, maintaining its no-notification policy as of 2025.
Instagram’s Screenshot Notification Policies Across Features
To fully understand Instagram’s stance on screenshots, let’s break down its notification policies for different types of content.
Stories
Like Highlights, Instagram does not notify users when someone screenshots their regular Stories. This applies to all Story content, including photos, videos, Boomerangs, polls, or text posts. Whether the Story is shared with all followers, a Close Friends list, or a public audience, screenshotting does not trigger a notification.
Posts and Reels
Instagram also does not notify users when someone screenshots their posts or Reels. You can capture images, videos, or carousels from the feed or Explore page without the creator knowing. This makes it easy to save inspiring content, but it also raises ethical considerations about how screenshots are used.
Direct Messages (DMs)
Instagram’s screenshot notification policy for DMs is more nuanced:
- Regular DMs: Screenshots of text messages, photos, or videos in standard DM conversations do not trigger notifications.
- Disappearing Photos/Videos: If you screenshot a disappearing photo or video sent via DM (marked as “View Once” or “Allow Replay”), Instagram notifies the sender with a starburst icon in the chat.
- Vanish Mode: In Vanish Mode, where messages disappear after being viewed, Instagram notifies the other user if you screenshot any content, including text, photos, or shared posts.
Profiles and Bios
Taking a screenshot of a user’s profile, including their bio, profile picture, or statistics, does not trigger a notification. This is useful for saving contact details or website links but should be done respectfully.
Ethical Considerations for Screenshotting Highlights
While Instagram doesn’t notify users about Highlight screenshots, ethical considerations are crucial. Here are some best practices to follow:
Respect Privacy
Even if screenshots go unnoticed, capturing and sharing someone’s content without permission can breach their trust, especially for private accounts or Close Friends Stories. Always consider the original poster’s intentions and avoid using their content in ways that could make them uncomfortable.
Ask for Permission
If you plan to share or repost a screenshot of a Highlight, reach out to the creator for permission. This shows respect and helps maintain positive relationships. Keep proof of consent, such as a screenshot of the conversation, to avoid misunderstandings.
Give Credit
If you’re sharing a screenshot of a Highlight, always credit the original creator by mentioning their username. This not only respects their work but also aligns with Instagram’s community guidelines on copyright.
Use Built-in Features
Instead of screenshotting, consider using Instagram’s built-in features like the “Save” option to bookmark posts or the “Share” feature to repost Stories you’re tagged in. These methods are more transparent and respect the creator’s privacy.
Tips for Protecting Your Instagram Highlights
If you’re concerned about others screenshotting your Highlights, there are steps you can take to enhance your privacy:
Switch to a Private Account
Setting your account to private ensures that only approved followers can view your Highlights and Stories. This limits access to trusted individuals and reduces the risk of unwanted screenshots. To switch to a private account, go to Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy and toggle on “Private Account.”
Use the Close Friends Feature
Share sensitive Highlights or Stories with a curated Close Friends list. This restricts visibility to a trusted group, minimizing the chance of unauthorized screenshots. To set up a Close Friends list, go to Settings > Privacy > Story > Close Friends and select your trusted followers.
Hide Stories from Specific Users
You can hide your Stories and Highlights from specific followers without blocking them. Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Story > Hide Story and Live From and select the users you want to exclude.
Block or Restrict Users
If you suspect someone is misusing your content, consider restricting or blocking them. Restricting limits their ability to interact with your content without notifying them, while blocking prevents them from accessing your profile entirely.
Add Watermarks
For business accounts or creators, adding watermarks to your Highlights can deter unauthorized sharing. Watermarks make it clear who owns the content and discourage misuse.
Workarounds for Screenshotting Disappearing Content
While Instagram doesn’t notify for Highlight screenshots, it does for disappearing DMs and Vanish Mode. If you need to capture such content without triggering a notification, here are some workarounds (use responsibly and ethically):
- Airplane Mode: Open the DM or Story, turn on Airplane Mode to disconnect from the internet, take the screenshot, and close the app before turning Airplane Mode off. This prevents Instagram from registering the screenshot.
- Web Browser: Access Instagram via a web browser on your computer and take a screenshot of disappearing content. Instagram does not notify screenshots taken in a browser.
- External Device: Use another device to take a photo of your screen. This method avoids Instagram’s detection but may result in lower quality.
Note: These methods should only be used for legitimate purposes, such as saving personal content with permission. Misusing them to capture sensitive content without consent is unethical and may violate Instagram’s terms of service.
Leveraging Instagram Highlights for Your Brand
For businesses and influencers, Highlights are a powerful tool to engage audiences. Here are some tips to make the most of them:
Organize Content Strategically
Create themed Highlights, such as “Products,” “Testimonials,” or “FAQs,” to make your profile more navigable. This helps visitors quickly find relevant content, boosting engagement.
Use Eye-Catching Covers
Design custom Highlight covers to align with your brand’s aesthetic. Consistent visuals make your profile look professional and encourage users to explore your Highlights.
Update Regularly
Keep your Highlights fresh by adding new Stories and archiving outdated ones. This shows your audience that your content is current and relevant.
Analyze Engagement
While Instagram doesn’t notify screenshots, business accounts can access analytics to track Highlight views and engagement. Use these insights to refine your content strategy.
Conclusion
Instagram does not notify users when you screenshot their Highlights, Stories, posts, or Reels, providing a degree of freedom when saving content. However, notifications are triggered for disappearing DMs and Vanish Mode content, so exercise caution in those scenarios. By understanding Instagram’s screenshot policies and following ethical practices, you can interact with content responsibly while protecting your own privacy. For creators and businesses, leveraging Highlights strategically can enhance your profile’s appeal and engagement. Whether you’re a casual user or a brand, respecting privacy and using Instagram’s built-in features will help you navigate the platform effectively in 2025.