How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

Ever wished you could keep your read receipts on Instagram a bit more discreet? You’re not alone. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps to turn off read receipts on Instagram. Whether you value your privacy or just want to read messages without the sender knowing, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the simple process of adjusting your settings and taking control of your message visibility on Instagram.

How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

What are Read Receipts on Instagram?

Direct messaging on Instagram is one of the most common and preferred ways to communicate with people these days. Instagram allows you to not actually text and keeps the conversation going by sending memes, reels, and posts. When you share or send messages on Instagram, you anticipate quick and instant replies hoping to get the reaction you want from the person, or sometimes you prefer leaving some messages on reading and not replying to them instantly and taking your time to reply.

But Instagram understands the urgency and anticipation you or the sender might have, that is the reason they introduced the read receipts. It shows the person sending the message when you have read the message

read receipt | How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

Also Read: How to Hide Messages on Instagram

How to Turn Off Instagram Read Receipts?

Okay, we know you came here looking for a solution to deceive people into believing you did not read the message because it does not show it to them when you cunningly already know what they texted you or shared with you. Most of the time, strangers message you, and when you open the chat and read Instagram messages without being seen. When you do not reply, they get to know about it and pester you about not texting them back till you are frustrated by them and block them.

We are sorry to tell you there is no permanent fix for disabling read receipts, but we are here to share our workaround methods. They might not turn off Instagram read receipts completely but will definitely help you buy some time before you have to text the sender of the message back.

Read through the methods below to temporarily turn off read receipts on Instagram and see what works best for you 

Method 1: Restrict IG Account

Restricting an account basically means that you don’t block them and restrain from certain activities on your account. The person you restrict cannot see the read receipts, and if they comment on your posts only you and that restricted person can see those.

To restrict someone from your profile follow the steps given below: 

Note: For both Android and iOS Instagram users.

1. Open the Instagram app on your phone.

2. Tap on the Profile tab.

Tap on profile icon

3. From your profile screen, tap on Following.

In your profile section, tap on Following |

4. Search for the desired account you want to restrict and tap on the desired result.

Search for the account you want to restrict and tap on the profile | How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

5. Tap on the three-dotted icon from the top right corner.

Tap on the three dots at the top right corner

6. Tap on Restrict to restrict the person.

Tap on Restrict to restrict the person |

The process of restricting an Instagram account is the same as above for Instagram lite users.

Method 2: Turn on Airplane Mode and Log Out

We know this step sounds super complicated but believe us it is easy to follow to turn off read receipts on Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS device.

2. Open the desired DM you want to see without being seen.

Note: Wait for the DM window to load completely.

3. Then, turn off Wi-Fi or Mobile data from the quick settings panel.

4. Next, turn on Aeroplane mode.

airplane mode | How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

5. Read the message from the opened DM window.

6. After reading the messages, navigate to your IG profile.

7. Tap on the hamburger icon from the top-right corner.

Tap on the hamburger icon from the top-right corner

8. Tap on Settings.

9. Finally, swipe down and tap on Log out to log out of your IG account.

log out IG

Once you have read the message re-launch the app and log in, the messages you read won’t be marked as seen.

Also Read: How to Mark a Text Message as Unread on iPhone

Method 3: Disable Instagram Message Notifications

When you tap on the Instagram message notifications, it triggers Instagram to mark them as read receipts. When you tap on the notification, Instagram directly opens the chat. So the best option is to disable Instagram message notifications.

1. Launch the Instagram app and tap on the Profile tab from the bottom right corner.

2. Tap on the hamburger icon > Settings option.

settings | How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

3. Then, tap on the Notifications option.

4. Locate and tap on the Messages and Calls option.

message and calls

5. Tap on the Off radio button under the Message Requests section, as shown.

Message request off

Method 4: Disable Active Status

Turn off the Show Activity Status button it will disable the show when you are active together button. Both users won’t know when the other person is active on Instagram. This can also turn off the read receipts. Here are the steps to disable your Active status on Instagram.

1. Access your Instagram account and navigate to your profile.

2. Then, tap on Settings > Privacy.

3. Tap on Activity Status.

Activity Status | How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

4. Turn off the toggle for the Show Activity Status feature.

Note: If the toggle button appears grey instead of blue, it indicates that you successfully used this feature.

Activity Status Off

Also Read: How to Turn Outlook Email Read Receipt On Off

Method 5: Read from Notification Panel

The easiest way to read messages without finding ways to turn off Instagram read receipts and not let the sender know you have read the message is to read it from the notification panel. You literally just have to swipe down the notification panel and read the messages.

Notification of message

Can You Change Read Receipts on Instagram?

Yes, you can definitely change read receipts, but there is no permanent way to do so you can only read Instagram messages without being seen temporarily.

How to Turn Off My Read Receipts on Instagram with An All-In-One Tool?

DMpro is the solution, it allows you to read your Instagram direct messages from your Email thus no headache of being marked seen in the chat of the person you don’t want to text back immediately.

DMpro | How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

Why are Instagram Read Receipts Gone?

If Instagram read receipts are not visible, it is probably due to Instagram glitches and will be fixed in no time. Because it is a highly liked feature so Instagram would not remove it, and there is no such method or fix to completely remove read receipts.

Can You Turn Read Receipts Off on Instagram If You Unread the Message?

No, seen will remain visible even if you mark an Instagram message unread.

Do Read Receipts Work Both Ways?

No, the read receipt is only sent by your device when it is turned on. It is shown differently to the users according to the time at which they saw the message.

Recommended: What is Vanish Mode on Instagram?

We hope that you learned about how to turn off read receipts on Instagram. Feel free to reach out to us with your queries and suggestions via the comments section below. Also, let us know what you want to learn about next.

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