Instagram’s active status feature lets others see when you’re online, which can impact your privacy and how you interact with the app. Many users prefer to hide when they were last active to maintain better control over their online presence. To turn off your activity status on Instagram, go to Settings and privacy, tap the search function, type “status,” and then toggle off “Show Activity Status.”
This simple change means friends and followers won’t see when you’re active or were last online. It’s worth noting that when you turn off your activity status, you also won’t be able to see when others were last active either. This trade-off gives everyone equal privacy but limits your ability to see others’ online presence.
What Is “Active Status” on Instagram?
Your Active Status shows a green dot or “Active Now” indicator next to your name in Direct Messages (DMs). It also shows when you were last active (e.g., “Active 2h ago”).
When you turn off Active Status:
- People you follow and message won’t see when you’re online or last active.
- You also won’t see others’ activity status.
(Source: Facebook Help Center)
📱 How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram (iPhone & Android)
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the ☰ (menu icon) in the top-right corner.
- Go to Settings and privacy.
- Scroll down and tap Messages and story replies.
- Tap Show activity status.
- Toggle off the switch next to Show Activity Status.
- (Optional) Also toggle off Show when you’re active together if you don’t want others to see when both of you are in the same chat.
✅ You’re now invisible! Others won’t know when you’re online or last active.
💻 How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram (Desktop/Web)
- Go to instagram.com and log in.
- Click More in the bottom-left corner.
- Select Settings → Privacy and security.
- Under Activity status, uncheck Show activity status.
🧠 Important Notes
- Turning off Active Status is mutual — you won’t see others’ status either.
- The setting applies across all devices (mobile, web, etc.).
- You can re-enable it anytime by toggling it back on.
✨ Quick Summary
| Platform | Path | Setting to Toggle |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone / Android | Profile → Menu → Settings and privacy → Messages and story replies → Show activity status | Off |
| Web / Desktop | More → Settings → Privacy and security → Show activity status | Off |
Key Takeaways
- Turning off Instagram’s activity status prevents others from seeing when you’re online or were last active
- The setting can be found by searching “status” in the Settings and privacy menu, then toggling off “Show Activity Status”
- When you disable your activity status, you also lose the ability to see when other users were last active on the platform
Understanding Active Status on Instagram
Instagram’s active status feature shows when users are online, making it easier for friends to know when someone is available to chat. This feature impacts privacy and can be managed through the app’s settings.
What Is Active Status?
Active status on Instagram is a feature that displays when a user is currently using the app or was last active. When enabled, a green dot appears next to profile pictures in various places throughout the app. This indicator shows friends and followers when someone is “Active Now” or “Active Today.”
The feature works similarly to active status functions on other social media platforms. It helps users know when their friends are available for real-time conversations through direct messages.
Instagram uses this feature to enhance communication between users by letting them know when their messages are more likely to receive immediate responses.
The Default Settings
By default, Instagram enables active status for all accounts. This means when someone creates a new Instagram account, their online activity is automatically visible to others.
Users often don’t realize their activity status is being shared until they learn about the feature. The setting applies to both the Instagram app and Facebook Messenger since these platforms are integrated.
Anyone who can send direct messages to a user can see their active status. This includes followers, people they follow, and anyone they’ve previously messaged.
To maintain privacy, users need to manually change this setting, as Instagram doesn’t notify users that their online presence is visible.
Online Status Indicators
Instagram uses several visual cues to display active status. The most noticeable is the green dot that appears next to profile pictures in the direct message inbox and activity feed.
Text indicators may also show:
- “Active Now” – currently using the app
- “Active Today” – used the app within the last 24 hours
- “Active XX minutes ago” – specific time since last use
These indicators appear in direct message conversations, the direct message inbox, and sometimes in the comments section of posts.
When someone is typing a message, recipients see a “typing…” notification. This feature works regardless of active status settings, providing immediate feedback during conversations.
How to Manage Active Status Settings
Instagram’s active status feature lets others know when you’re online, but you can control this setting for privacy. Managing your active status gives you more control over who sees when you’re using the app.
Changing Active Status on Android and iOS
To turn off your active status on Instagram using an Android or iOS device, open the app and tap on your profile icon in the bottom right corner. Then tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner to access the menu. Select “Settings and privacy” from the options.
In the Settings menu, look for “Activity Status” under the Privacy section. If you can’t find it directly, use the search function at the top of the Settings page and type “status” to locate this option quickly.
Toggle the switch next to “Show Activity Status” to turn it off. When this setting is disabled, you won’t appear active or recently active to anyone on Instagram, even in direct messages.
Privacy Implications
Turning off activity status affects how you interact on Instagram. When this feature is disabled, users won’t see when you were last active or if you’re currently online. This gives users more privacy while using the platform.
It’s important to note that disabling activity status works both ways. If users turn off their status, they also won’t be able to see other people’s activity status. This creates a fair privacy exchange on the platform.
This setting doesn’t affect other notifications. People will still receive notifications when users like their posts or respond to their stories, but they won’t know if users are actively using the app at a specific moment.
Troubleshooting Tips
If the activity status toggle doesn’t appear, try updating the Instagram app to the latest version. Outdated versions sometimes have missing settings or features. Users can check for updates in their device’s app store.
Sometimes the setting might reset after logging out or updating the app. Users should verify their activity status settings periodically if privacy is a concern.
For those using Instagram on multiple devices, remember to disable activity status on each one separately. The web version requires users to click their profile icon, select “Settings,” then “Privacy and security” to find this option.
If issues persist, clearing the app cache on Android devices or reinstalling the app might help resolve any technical problems affecting privacy settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Instagram users often have questions about controlling their online visibility. The active status feature shows when you’re using the app, but many people prefer to browse privately.
What steps are required to disable the active status feature on Instagram for iPhone users?
iPhone users can turn off their active status by opening the Instagram app and tapping on their profile picture in the bottom right corner. Next, they should tap the three horizontal lines in the top right and select “Settings and privacy.”
From there, they need to scroll down and tap on “Messages and story replies.” Finally, they can toggle off the “Show Activity Status” option to disable the feature.
How can I hide my active status on Instagram when using an Android device?
Android users follow a similar process to iPhone users. They should open the Instagram app and tap their profile picture in the bottom right corner.
After tapping the three horizontal lines and selecting “Settings and privacy,” they can scroll to find “Messages and story replies.” In this section, they simply turn off the “Show Activity Status” toggle to hide when they’re active.
What are the latest updates for deactivating Instagram’s active status in 2025?
In 2025, Instagram has simplified the privacy controls. Users can now access quick privacy settings directly from their profile page by tapping a new privacy shortcut icon.
The platform has also introduced temporary status hiding, allowing users to disable their active status for specific time periods. These updates make it easier to control online visibility without permanently changing settings.
Is it possible to toggle the activity status on and off on Instagram, and if so, how?
Yes, users can toggle their activity status whenever they want. To do this, they simply follow the path to “Settings and privacy,” then “Messages and story replies.”
The “Show Activity Status” toggle can be switched on or off at any time. There’s no limit to how often users can change this setting, giving them full control over when others can see they’re online.
Does disabling active status on Instagram affect the activity status on linked Facebook accounts?
No, disabling active status on Instagram only affects Instagram visibility. Facebook’s active status is controlled separately through Facebook settings.
However, users should be aware that if their Instagram and Facebook accounts are linked, they’ll need to manage privacy settings on both platforms individually for complete privacy.
Where can I find the option to turn off active status within the Instagram app?
The option to turn off active status is located in the “Messages and story replies” section. Users can access this by tapping their profile picture, then the menu icon (three lines), followed by “Settings and privacy.”
After scrolling down, they’ll find “Messages and story replies” where the “Show Activity Status” toggle appears. This setting controls whether friends can see when users are active on Instagram.
