Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Story? No (2026)

Quick answer: No. Instagram does not notify anyone when you screenshot their Story, and that includes Close Friends Stories. The only place Instagram still sends screenshot alerts is disappearing photos and videos in DMs (sent in "view once" or "allow replay" mode), plus chats in vanish mode. Screenshot one of those and the other person is notified.

That's the current policy, and it has been stable for years now. Below we'll cover the details: what changed since the days when Instagram did test Story screenshot notifications, the one exception that still notifies, and what you can do if you'd rather people didn't screenshot your Stories at all.

Why screenshot an Instagram Story?

When you come across an Instagram Story that captures your attention, you might want to save it - so you take a screenshot. 

By taking a screenshot you can download the entire Story (including the entire screen view, text, images, and the date) to your mobile phone's camera roll and refer back to it. 

There are many reasons why people may want to screenshot Stories:

1. Keep it as a source of inspiration
2. Share it with other people outside of Instagram
3. Create a collection of favorite posts
4. Save important updates, information, and announcements

Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a Story?

The short answer is no.

In the past, when you took a screenshot of someone's Story, Instagram would notify the user that someone had taken a screenshot. This was to protect the user's privacy. Since then, Instagram have removed these notifications. 

Instagram no longer notifies the user if you take a screenshot of their Story. They can see that you viewed, or interacted with their story but they can't see that you took a screenshot.

Does Instagram notify when you screenshot a Close Friend's Story?

Instagram doesn't notify the user when you screenshot their Stories, including those in your Close Friends group. 

The one exception: disappearing photos, videos, and vanish mode

There is one corner of Instagram where screenshot alerts still exist: direct messages. If someone sends you a disappearing photo or video in a DM (using "view once" or "allow replay" mode) and you screenshot or screen-record it, they'll see a small burst icon next to the message showing you captured it. The same applies to chats in vanish mode: screenshot the conversation and the other person gets a notice in the chat.

Regular Stories, posts, Reels, and normal (non-disappearing) DMs are not covered. The notifications only apply to content Instagram treats as ephemeral by design.

How to know if someone screenshots your Instagram Story

It's common for Instagram users to screenshot and forward Stories. Unfortunately, there's no way to know if someone screenshots and shares your Stories with their friends. Instagram doesn't provide users with this information, and there are no third-party apps that have access to this data. 

How to prevent someone from taking screenshots of your Instagram Story

If you'd like to prevent someone from seeing your Stories you have the following options:

1. Hide your Stories from a specific Instagram account
2. Block an Instagram user from seeing your content

Instagram shows you who watches your Stories, so you can hide them from suspicious users who you think might take screenshots. 

Here's how to hide your Stories from your followers:

1. Check who viewed your Stories
2. Visit their Instagram profile
3. Tap the "..." in the top right corner
4. Choose "Hide Stories" from the options

Once you select this option, this user will not be able to see any of your future stories, and prevents them from taking screenshots.

Blog post: Learn how to block an Instagram account in this post.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, Instagram does not show users who screenshots their Story, including Close Friends' Stories. The only screenshot notifications left are for disappearing photos and videos in DMs and for vanish mode chats. While you can't know for sure which of your followers screenshot your Stories, you have the option to manually hide your Stories from selected users.

Remember to respect others' privacy and if you'd like to screenshot someone's Story to repost it, you should always seek permission from the user.