Skip to main content

How to turn off Activity Status on Instagram

Instagram is a popular social networking site that allows users to communicate through text, photos, and videos. One of its features is the app's Activity Status, which lets users know when someone was last active on the app or if they are currently online.

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Instagram app on your mobile device

This way, you can see when someone was last using the app, giving you an idea of how active they are (or aren't) on Instagram. Here’s more about how Instagram's Activity Status works, and how to turn it off.

Instagram on an iPhone.
Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

What is Activity Status on Instagram?

When your Instagram Activity Status is enabled, your followers and chat contacts can see your online status and last active time. To check your own Activity Status settings, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Go to your Profile tab on Instagram, then select the More button at the top right.

Step 2: Scroll down to the section How others can interact with you. Next, select Messages and story replies.

A screenshot showing how to go into the settings in Instagram.
Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

Step 3: Select Show Activity Status. On the next page, you'll see whether the Instagram activity status is turned on for your account.

Screenshots showing whether the Instagram activity status is turned on.
Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

How to turn off Activity Status

You can turn the Instagram Activity Status off at any time by following a few steps.

Step 1: Go to your Profile tab on Instagram, then select the More button at the top right.

Step 2: Scroll down to the section,How others can interact with you. Next, select Messages and story replies.

Step 3: Select Show Activity Status. On the next page, you'll see whether the Instagram Activity Status is turned on for your account.

Step 4: If the toggle is in the On position, turn it off by tapping on it. Now, your Instagram Activity Status is turned off. You can continue to use Instagram services if Activity Status is off.

Screenshots showing the current Instagram activity status setting.
Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

And that's all there is to it! If you don't mind your friends/followers seeing when you last used the Instagram app, there's no harm in keeping Activity Status enabled. However, if you'd like more privacy regarding your Instagram use, turning it off might be the way to go.

Editors' Recommendations

Bryan M. Wolfe
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
How to see who has unfollowed you on Instagram
A screenshot of an Instagram profile, showing someone's follower count.

When you share posts on Instagram, your ultimate goal is to increase your follower count. However, some of your followers may unfollow you at some point. Identifying those who have unfollowed you on Instagram can be tricky, but don’t worry, we have figured it out for you.

Read more
How to schedule a text message on your iPhone
Close-up photo of the Messages app on an iPhone.

Do you often send text messages to a friend or family member across the pond? Or do you want to message someone when you know they’re off work and are able to get to you in a reasonable manner? Maybe you want to send a message every day at the same time, to let your significant other know you’re on the way home and to ask if they need you to pick up anything.

If you said yes to any of these scenarios (or other ones you have in your head), you may be looking for a way to schedule text messages on your iPhone. After all, this is a feature that Android users have, and it can often prove incredibly convenient.

Read more
How to view Instagram without an account
An iPhone 15 Pro Max showing Instagram via a web browser.

Instagram is one of the largest social media platforms on the planet. Whether you want to share a family photo, what you had for lunch at your favorite cafe, or a silly video of your cat, Instagram is the place to do it.

Read more