When it comes to using Instagram Direct Messages, many users often find themselves wondering how to read Instagram messages without being seen.
Like, is there really such a solution? What will happen if you read your messages anonymously?
Actually, there are multiple methods to read Instagram messages without being seen, but the question is, which one is the most straightforward?
In this article, we will guide you on how to turn off read receipts on Instagram and how to unread messages on Instagram if you suddenly open them.
Moreover, we’ll explore different approaches to reading Instagram messages without leaving a trace.
Now, let’s examine each one and determine how to read IG messages without being seen and which best suits your needs. Ready? Let’s go!
How to Turn off ‘Seen’ on Instagram DM?
Every Instagram user can benefit from a comprehensive guide on sending Instagram DMs from their PC, both within and outside the app. This knowledge not only enhances your Instagram experience but also helps you to use its features more effectively.
Keep in mind that each time you open your unread messages on Instagram DM, they will be immediately marked as “seen” for both you and the other person in the chat.
While Instagram doesn’t send users notifications about this action, the sender can still see when you’ve read their messages.
Now, let’s get to the point: how to read Instagram DM without ‘seen’ receipt appearing on the sender’s side?
To be honest, there’s no straightforward method to turn off read receipts on Instagram DM.
However, you can explore some tricky ways if you wish to keep your message-reading activity private. Let’s see what the options are and how you can read Instagram messages without notifying the sender.
1. How to Read Instagram Messages without Being Seen in Airplane Mode?
The initial solution on how to turn off read receipts on Instagram involves a method somewhat similar to turning off your data or Wi-Fi. However, the difference is that this approach disables all wireless functions on your phone. This means you won’t be able to make calls, send SMS, or access the internet temporarily.
So, Let’s break down the process and learn how to turn off read receipts on Instagram:
- Step 1: Once you receive a direct message, go to the conversation page in the app without opening any messages.
- Step 2: Enable Airplane mode on your device.
- Step 3: Open the conversation you want to read.
- Step 4: After reading, log out of your Instagram account. Make sure that your internet connection is still turned off as you’re logging out.
- Step 5: Finally, turn on your internet connection, open the app, and log in to your account.
Remember that if you read an Instagram message while in airplane mode and then log in, you’ll notice that the conversation you recently opened to read will still appear as unread.
However, we need to remind you that it’s possible to read Instagram message requests without triggering the ‘seen’ status as well. This means you can read the requested messages secretly until you decide to accept them.
Once you accept a message request, the ‘seen’ mark will appear in the corner of your chat.
To delve deeper, here you can learn more about how to see and manage Instagram message requests.
Besides, you can also check your message requests and use some tricks to know if someone declines your DM on Instagram.
2. Turn Data/Wi-Fi Off
Still want to know how to read Instagram messages without being seen? Here’s the second solution. Just temporarily disable your data or Wi-Fi connection. Let’s walk through the steps together:
- Step 1: After receiving Instagram DMs, open the app and go to the direct messages page, but avoid opening any conversations.
- Step 2: Now, disable your data or Wi-Fi connection
- Step 3: If you open the unread messages while your internet connection is turned off, they won’t be marked as ‘seen.’
WARNING: If you use this trick to check Instagram messages without being seen, the moment you turn on your internet connection, the messages will be marked as ‘seen.’ In other words, the ‘seen’ status remains hidden as long as you’re offline.
3. Restrict On Instagram
When it comes to opening a DM without alerting the sender, the best workaround is to use the ‘restrict’ feature.
Although restricting other people’s accounts to read Instagram messages without being seen serves the purpose, it comes with more cons than pros.
The ‘restrict’ feature not only helps you read messages without being seen but also limits the other person’s access to your account.
Let’s cut to the chase and check how to read Instagram messages without being seen by using the ‘restrict’ feature.
1- What Does ‘Restrict’ Mean on Instagram?
Restricting users on Instagram is pretty similar to the blocking feature but comes with a few differences. When you restrict a user on Instagram, they are not able to interact with you in certain ways anymore.
Unlike blocking, restricted users can still view your profile, like your posts, and leave comments.
However, the ‘restrict’ feature hides their comments and messages from you. If you’ve restricted someone and can’t locate their chat in your Instagram Direct messages, don’t worry.
When you restrict a user, their chat automatically disappears from your inbox.
Also read: Why Instagram Messages Disappear
2- Does Restricting on Instagram Turn Off Read Receipts?
Even though restricting is not the best way to read Instagram messages and turn off read receipts, you can try this method if you don’t have any other choices.
Still, want to know how to read Instagram messages without being seen using the ‘restrict’ feature?
If you’re wondering how to secretly read DMs on Instagram using the ‘restrict’ option, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Find the account you want to restrict and open it.
- Step 2: Tap on the ‘three dots’ option and select ‘Restrict Account.’
- Step 3: Verify your request to finalize the restriction.
Once you’ve successfully restricted the account, any messages you receive from that account will appear as message requests. Importantly, the ‘seen’ mark is not displayed for messages in message requests.
In the next parts, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of this method to help you determine if there are better solutions on how to turn off read receipts on Instagram.
3- Restricting on Instagram: Pros & Cons
While restricting other people’s accounts can help you read Instagram messages without alerting the sender, it has more drawbacks than benefits.
Cons:
- You won’t be able to view their posts and stories.
- If the user leaves comments for you, only you and the restricted account will see them.
- You cannot reply to their direct messages unless you un-restrict them.
- You will be unable to view any photos or videos they’ve sent you via direct messages.
Pros:
- You can read an IG message without triggering the ‘seen’ mark.
- You can block unwanted interactions without losing followers or engagement.
But what if you use an app to read Instagram messages quickly? This could eliminate the need for all these methods to check Instagram messages without being seen.
How to Read Instagram Messages without Being Seen Using AiGrow?
Compared to the previous methods we just introduced on how to turn off read receipts on Instagram, this one is way more convenient and user-friendly. You can easily read Instagram DMs without triggering the ‘seen’ status using a top-notch third-party app.
AiGrow is a professional management platform designed to enhance your Instagram experience.
It not only helps you get more organic followers but also provides various features such as adding links to your bio, increasing website traffic, scheduling posts and stories across multiple accounts, and even creating customized contests and rewards to boost sales and customer engagement.
So if you’re wondering if you can read Instagram messages without alerting the sender, the answer is YES!
Now, let’s see how to read Instagram messages without being seen with AiGrow.
After you sign up on AiGrow, you can connect your Instagram accounts to the platform (there’s no limit to how many accounts you can add). After connecting your Instagram account to AiGrow, click ‘Access’ to start using different tools and features.
Now, you can follow these steps to read Instagram messages without being seen:
- Step 1: In the dashboard, click on the ‘Direct Messages’ tab.
- Step 2: Now go to the ‘Inbox’ tab.
In this section, you can view all your conversations and the Instagram ‘seen’ status. Conversations with accounts that have sent you messages or those you’ve sent messages to will be accessible here. If you open messages in the AiGrow inox, they are marked as ‘seen.’ Additionally, you have the option to reply to messages directly from this interface.
AiGrow Instagram Direct Messages Service
Now that you know how to turn off read receipts on Instagram and read Instagram messages without ‘seen’ mark, let’s take a look at other DM features and tools that AiGrow provides for you.
Manual DMing: Create a targeted DM campaign to grow followers, generate leads, run contests, and more. Simply enter a message, set targeting, and click Start DM.
Manual Reply: Respond to anyone who sends you a DM with the help of our Instagram experts.
How To Read Instagram Messages From Notification Bar?
You might also wonder how to read Instagram messages without being seen from the notification bar. Right?
While this method is straightforward, it has limitations when it comes to reading long messages. So, how to read an Instagram message without opening it?
You only need to drag down the notification when a new message appears at the top of your screen. Alternatively, you can long-press the notification to view the entire text.
If you’re wondering whether a message is marked as ‘read’ on Instagram when you read it through notifications, you don’t need to worry.
When you read messages via the notification bar, the sender won’t be notified that you’ve seen their messages. This means they won’t receive the ‘seen’ mark in their chat. Just remember not to click on the message they sent, as doing so will redirect you to their chat page.
How to Turn off Read Receipts in Instagram Story?
You’ve likely received notifications when someone mentions you in their story.
In such cases, if you open your direct message and their conversation, they can see that you’ve read their messages. So, how to read Instagram messages without being seen in a story?
Here, we’ll introduce the best solution on how to turn off seen on Instagram stories. However, please note that all the previous solutions we discussed also work for reading Instagram messages without alerting the sender.
Additionally, if you’re looking for your old messages and story mentions but cannot find them, read more about how to search & see old direct messages on Instagram.
1. Block/Deactivate the Account
If you’ve accidentally viewed someone’s story and want to avoid being seen, you can take two approaches.
Firstly, you can block them immediately by opening their account, tapping on the three dots icon in the top right corner, and selecting ‘Block.’
Alternatively, you can temporarily deactivate your account for 48 hours. Story viewers are visible for 48 hours to the account owner, so this can help you ‘unsee’ their Instagram story.
To deactivate your account follow these steps:
- Open Instagram on the web and log in to your account.
- Then, go to your profile and tap on ‘Edit profile.’
- Scroll down and tap ‘Temporarily deactivate my account.’
- From the drop-down menu, choose the option next to Why are you deactivating your account?
- Re-enter your password.
- Finally, click Yes to confirm your decision.
2. View Stories Through Websites
There are some free websites that you can use to view stories anonymously.
But remember that you can only view stories from public pages, not private ones.
Here are the websites for you to view stories secretly.
- Iganony
- Anonigviewer
- Storiesig
However, if you’d like to save someone’s stories in your gallery but are concerned about Instagram notifying them when you take a screenshot, there’s a convenient alternative. Fortunately, many websites allow you to download users’ stories instead of capturing screenshots.
How to See ‘Vanish Mode’ Messages on Instagram Without the Sender Knowing?
First of all, let’s explore what vanish mode on Instagram is. This feature allows users to send disappearing messages, videos, photos, and more in Instagram direct messages.
All content shared in a chat will automatically vanish once one of the users leaves the chat or turns off ‘Vanish Mode.’ Actually, only when this feature is active will all the media and messages you’ve shared disappear.
If ‘Vanish Mode’ is disabled, these messages will remain unless you manually unsend them.
If you value privacy and want to keep your chat information secure, ‘Vanish Mode’ is a suitable choice.
How To Unread Messages On Instagram?
Now that we’ve explored ways on how to read Instagram messages without being seen, let’s delve into managing unread messages on Instagram.
We’ve discussed how to turn off read receipts on Instagram and how to check messages while avoiding the ‘seen’ status. But what if you’ve already opened a DM without disabling your Wi-Fi or restricting the user? Let’s explore how to mark messages as unread on Instagram after opening them.
1. How to Unread a Message on Instagram Using a Business Account?
Fortunately, Instagram provides an ‘unread message’ feature for business profiles, allowing you to mark messages as unread even if you’ve accidentally opened them. Here is how to unread a message on IG using a business account:
1. Log in to your Instagram account and access your IG DMs Inbox by tapping the icon at the top right corner of your screen.
2. Choose the conversation for which you want to unread, and hold it for a second.
3. Tap ‘More.’
4. Select ‘Mark As Unread.’
This may seem like a solution on how to turn off seen on Instagram DM and unread a message you accidentally opened on business accounts.
Please note that with this method, you cannot remove the ‘seen’ mark. Instead, you can only mark messages as unread, serving as a reminder to revisit and respond to them later.
2. How to Unread Messages on Instagram For Personal Accounts?
Unfortunately, there is no direct method to turn off Instagram read receipts for personal accounts after viewing messages. The only effective way to achieve this is by restricting the sender’s account.
When you restrict someone on Instagram, their IG DMs will be categorized as message requests, ensuring they are not marked as ‘read,’ even if you’ve read them. In the previous sections, we provided instructions on how to restrict an Instagram account and how to mark messages as unread.
Conclusion
In this blog, we’ve explored various methods on how to read Instagram messages without being seen, with some being easier than others.
In conclusion, maintaining privacy and control over your Instagram interactions is a valuable aspect of managing your social media presence.
Learning how to read Instagram messages without being seen empowers you to stay discreet when necessary, whether it’s for personal reasons or to manage your professional relationships more effectively.
However, it’s crucial to use these methods responsibly and respect others’ privacy, just as you’d expect them to respect yours.
FAQs
Now that you know how to read messages without being seen on Instagram, it’s time to take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions in this regard.
1. Can You Turn off Read Receipts on Instagram?
As already mentioned, while there is no direct method within the platform’s settings to turn off read receipts on Instagram, there are alternative methods that we’ve discussed earlier in this article.
2. How Do You Look at Direct Messages on Instagram without the App?
You can read messages through the notification bar, but please note that longer messages may not be fully readable from notifications.
3. Can You Message Someone on Instagram without an Account?
Not at all. You cannot send a message to someone without having an account on Instagram.
4. Why Does My Instagram Message Still Appear as ‘Sent’?
Because the recipient has not yet read your message. Once they read it, the ‘seen’ mark will appear.
5. How Can You Tell If Someone Received Your Instagram Message?
If the recipient has not seen your message yet, you’ll see the ‘sent’ mark. However, once they open your chat, the ‘sent’ mark will change to ‘seen.’
6. Can You Hide If You’ve Seen a Message on Instagram?
Yes indeed. If you accidentally read a message on Instagram Direct, you have the option to block the sender’s account or deactivate your page.
7. How To Turn Off Instagram Read Receipts?
Officially, Instagram does not offer a built-in option to turn off read receipts. However, there are various tricks, like going offline or using airplane mode, which can help you read Instagram messages without alerting the sender.
8. Can You See Read Receipts on Instagram?
When you send a DM to your friends, you can see when they’ve read your message. However, for new users who are not following you, you have to wait for their approval, and you can’t determine if they’ve read your message or not.
9. Can We Unread Messages on Instagram?
If you have a business or creator account on Instagram, you can unread the messages you’ve received. But for personal profiles, this feature is not available yet.
10. How to Get Rid of Instagram Notifications without Opening Messages?
The best approach is to mute them on Instagram. However, if muting is not your preference, you can turn on ‘Do Not Disturb.’
11. How to Read Instagram Messages without Being Seen on iPhone?
Reading Instagram messages without being seen on an iPhone involves similar methods as on other devices. These methods include restricting the sender, using airplane mode, and turning off Wi-Fi and data to prevent the ‘seen’ status from appearing. These options work across various platforms, including iPhone.
