How to Appear Offline on Instagram (2024)

By default, all your friends with whom you have exchanged messages on Instagram can see when you’re online.

Like Facebook and WhatsApp, your current active status is not hidden from your friends.

There’s nothing wrong with showing your activity status to your friends and followers.

But sometimes, we do not want to reply to a particular person or anyone at all.

In that case, if they see you are active and still not replying to their DMs, it can potentially sour your relationship with the other person — which obviously you don’t want.

Thankfully, you can turn off the active status feature, which will make you appear offline on Instagram.

This way, you can easily skip anyone’s DMs without leaving a bad impression.

But the main question is — how do we do it?

In this post, we will show you how to appear offline on Instagram from your mobile device or the web version of IG.

We will also discuss some hidden facts about Instagram’s “Active” status feature, which you might not have heard before.

So, let’s not waste our time and dive right in.

Who Can See You Are “Active” on Instagram?

Here comes the most burning question about this feature: Who can actually see that you are “active” on Instagram?

The good news is not all of your followers will get this access.

Only selected users with whom you have exchanged messages on this platform will be able to see your latest activity status.

Apart from that, your activity status will be hidden from the rest of the world, even if you have followed them back or they are in your close friend list.

But if you have a business account, all your followers might be able to see your activity status if you do not turn off this feature for your account.

How to Appear Offline on Instagram (iPhone & Android)

Can you appear offline on Instagram?

Of course, you can.

The activity status feature is Instagram’s default function, but to protect your privacy, you can turn it off anytime.

Here’s how easily you can turn off your active status on Instagram by following some simple and easy steps:

Step 1. Open up your Instagram app and head over to your profile.

Step 2. Tap on the “Three Line” hamburger menu.

Step 3. Scroll down and tap on “Messages and story replies.”

Step 4. Now, Tap on “Show activity status.”

Step 5. Tap and toggle off that button to appear offline on Instagram.

Once you follow these steps, you will be literally invisible on Instagram, and no one will be able to see your latest activity status.

How to Appear Offline on Instagram Using IG Web

What if you do not use the Instagram mobile app and prefer to use the web version of the platform?

Even though it’s pretty unlikely that you don’t use the IG app, here’s how you can make yourself invisible on Instagram using the IG web version:

Step 1. Head to www.instagram.com and tap “More” from the left sidebar menu.

Step 2. Tap on “Settings”.

Step 3. Scroll down, and from the left sidebar section, tap “Messages and story reply.”

Step 4. Under the “Who can see you’re online” section, tap on the “Show activity status” option.

Step 5. Toggle off that button to turn off your Instagram active status.

No matter whether you use the Instagram app or the web version, the steps for turning your active status off on Instagram are the same.

How to Know if Someone is Hiding Their Online Status on Instagram?

Another question that might hover around your head is — how do we know if someone is hiding their online status on Instagram?

Well, that’s relatively easy to guess.

If you have exchanged messages with someone but still can’t see their activity status even when they are chatting with you, it’s a straight indication that they have turned off the activity status of their profile.

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Does Instagram show when someone is online?

Yes, Instagram does show a “Green dot” when someone is online. However, only individuals with whom you have exchanged messages can see the “Active Status.”

Can you show online on Instagram when you are not?

No, you cannot show “online” on Instagram when you are not.

Why can’t I see if someone is online on Instagram?

If you can’t see if someone is online on Instagram, it might be because the individual has turned off their activity status or blocked you on the platform.

Does Instagram show false active?

No, Instagram does not show false “Active Status,” but it’s also not 100% accurate. It has a slight delay.

Final Words

I hope now you clearly know how to appear offline on Instagram.

If you are an introverted person or want to avoid anyone, turning off the “Activity status” on your profile is the best option you have.

Following the steps mentioned in this post, you can quite easily turn off active status and appear offline on Instagram.