Instagram is no longer just a photo-sharing app; it has evolved into a full-fledged messaging and social interaction platform. Along with this evolution, features related to privacy and activity tracking have also increased. One such feature is Instagram’s ‘Activity Status’, which shows whether you are currently online or when you were last active on the app. While this can be useful for quick conversations, many users prefer to keep their online presence private.
If you want to browse Instagram freely without others knowing when you are active, disabling the online indicator is a smart move. In this article, we explain what Instagram’s online status is, how it works, and how you can turn it off easily using both the mobile app and a web browser.
Instagram’s Activity Status feature allows people you follow—and who follow you back—to see:
When you were last active on Instagram
Whether you are currently online
If you are active in Direct Messages (DMs)
This feature works similarly to activity indicators on other Meta-owned platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. However, it is important to note that only mutual followers (people you follow and who follow you back) can see your activity status. Users you do not follow back usually cannot view this information.
By default, Activity Status is enabled on most Instagram accounts, which means your followers can track your availability unless you manually turn it off.
There are several reasons why users choose to hide their online status:
To avoid pressure to reply instantly to messages
To maintain privacy while browsing posts or stories
To prevent others from tracking their activity patterns
To use Instagram without interruptions
Once you disable this feature, you also won’t be able to see the activity status of others, as the setting works both ways.
Follow these simple steps to turn off the online indicator using the Instagram mobile app:
Open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS device.
Tap on your profile picture located at the bottom-right corner.
Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) at the top-right corner.
Select Settings and Privacy from the menu.
Go to the Privacy section.
Tap on Activity Status.
Turn off the toggle next to Show Activity Status.
Once disabled, your online presence and last active time will no longer be visible to others.
If you use Instagram on a desktop or laptop, you can also turn off the activity status via a web browser:
Visit instagram.com and log in to your account.
Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings.
Select Privacy and Security.
Find the Show Activity Status option.
Uncheck the box to disable it.
Your activity status will now be hidden across all devices.
If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, you must disable Activity Status separately for each account.
Turning off this feature means you won’t be able to see others’ online status either.
Changes apply instantly and do not require app reinstallation or logout.
Instagram sirf photos aur reels tak simit nahi raha, balki ek strong messaging platform bhi ban chuka hai. Iske saath hi privacy se judi concerns bhi badh gayi hain. Instagram ka Activity Status feature batata hai ki aap kab online hain ya last time kab active the.
Agar aap chahte hain ki koi aapki online activity track na kare, to is feature ko band karna behtar option hai.
Instagram ka Activity Status feature un logon ko dikhata hai:
Aap last kab active the
Aap is waqt online hain ya nahi
Aap DM section me active hain ya nahi
Yeh feature WhatsApp aur Facebook Messenger jaisa hi kaam karta hai. Lekin sirf mutual followers hi aapka status dekh sakte hain.
Har message ka turant reply dene ka pressure kam hota hai
Privacy better hoti hai
Bina disturb hue app use kar sakte hain
Online activity private rehti hai
Dhyan rahe, jab aap apna status hide karte hain, to aap dusron ka status bhi nahi dekh paayenge.
Apne mobile me Instagram app open karein.
Neeche right corner me profile icon par tap karein.
Upar right side me teen lines (menu) par tap karein.
Settings and Privacy option select karein.
Privacy section me jaayein.
Activity Status par tap karein.
Show Activity Status ka toggle off kar dein.
Browser me instagram.com open karein aur login karein.
Upar right corner me profile icon par click karein.
Settings me jaayein.
Privacy and Security option select karein.
Show Activity Status ke saamne wala checkbox uncheck kar dein.
Agar aapke paas multiple Instagram accounts hain, to har account ke liye alag se setting change karni hogi.
Setting turant apply ho jaati hai.
Isse aap Instagram ko zyada private aur tension-free tareeke se use kar sakte hain.
Conclusion:
Instagram par online status hide karna ek simple lekin effective privacy feature hai. Kuch hi steps me aap apni activity ko private bana sakte hain aur bina kisi pressure ke Instagram ka use kar sakte hain.
