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The complete guide to Instagram screenshot notifications in 2026. Know exactly when you're detected and when you're safe.
Quick Answer
Instagram does NOT notify for screenshots of posts, stories, Reels, or regular DMs. It ONLY notifies for screenshots of disappearing photos/videos and messages in vanish mode.
Feed Posts
Screenshot freely—no notification sent
Stories
No notification since 2018
Reels
Screenshot without detection
Profiles
View and screenshot undetected
Regular DMs
No notification for normal messages
Vanish Mode DMs
Screenshot IS notified!
Disappearing Photos/Videos
Screenshot IS notified!
Instagram DOES notify the sender when you screenshot in these situations. The notification appears instantly in the chat as "Screenshot taken". There is no way to bypass this detection.
February 2018: Instagram briefly tested screenshot notifications for stories. Users who screenshotted a story would trigger a notification to the story poster.
June 2018: Due to overwhelmingly negative feedback, Instagram removed the feature. Stories could once again be screenshotted without notification.
2020-Present: Screenshot notifications only exist for disappearing photos/videos in DMs and vanish mode messages.
Curious who's watching you?
While Instagram doesn't tell you who screenshots, you CAN find out who unfollowed you and who's no longer engaging with your content.
Check your followersNo, Instagram does not notify users when you screenshot their stories. Instagram briefly tested this feature in 2018 but removed it due to user backlash. You can freely screenshot any public or private story without the poster knowing.
No, Instagram never notifies users when you screenshot their feed posts, Reels, or profile pictures. This has never been a feature on Instagram, and you can screenshot any public content without detection.
Instagram only notifies about screenshots in two scenarios: 1) Disappearing photos/videos sent in DMs (the 'view once' media), and 2) Messages sent in Vanish Mode. In both cases, the sender sees 'Screenshot taken' in the chat.
The same rules apply to screen recordings as screenshots. Instagram only notifies about screen recordings for disappearing photos/videos and vanish mode messages. Regular stories, posts, and DMs can be screen recorded without notification.
No, there is no way for anyone to see if you screenshot their Instagram profile, bio, followers list, or following list. This information is not tracked or reported by Instagram in any way.
If you screenshot in vanish mode, the other person is immediately notified. They'll see a message in the chat that says 'Screenshot taken'. This is intentional to maintain the privacy expectations of disappearing messages.
No legitimate third-party app can detect screenshots of Instagram content. Any app claiming to show who screenshotted your posts or stories is likely a scam. Instagram doesn't provide this data to any external applications.
Yes, briefly. In February 2018, Instagram tested screenshot notifications for stories. The test lasted only a few months before being removed due to negative user feedback. Since then, story screenshots have been undetected.