How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram

As much as I love using Instagram, there are times when I want to maintain some privacy—especially when it comes to direct messages (DMs). One of the most debated features on Instagram is the read receipts function, which lets others know when you’ve read their messages. For many of us, this feature can feel intrusive or create unnecessary pressure to respond immediately. Thankfully, Instagram now allows users to turn off read receipts, giving us more control over our messaging experience.

In this article, I’ll guide you through how to turn off read receipts on Instagram for both individual chats and all DMs. I’ll also share some insights into why this feature matters and how it can enhance your privacy on the platform.

What Are Read Receipts on Instagram? 👀📨

When you send a message on Instagram, the platform marks it as Sent, Delivered, or Seen. The Seen indicator is what we refer to as a read receipt—it confirms that the recipient has opened and read your message. While this feature can be useful for tracking communication, it can also feel like an invasion of privacy.

For example:

• You might not want someone to know you’ve read their message if you’re too busy to reply immediately.
• It can create unnecessary anxiety or expectations from others who see that you’ve read their message but haven’t responded.

With Instagram’s recent updates, you now have the option to disable read receipts. Learn how to turn off read receipts on Instagram and enjoy a more private messaging experience. Read receipts are still visible when using Vanish Mode. Here’s a guide on how to turn on and off vanish mode effectively.

How to Turn Off Read Receipts On Instagram – For All Messages 🔧🚫

If you want to disable read receipts across all your DMs, here’s how I did it:

Step 1: Open Instagram Settings

• Launch the Instagram app on your phone.
• Tap on your profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
• Click on the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top-right corner.
• Select Settings and Privacy from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Navigate to Messages and Story Replies

• Scroll down until you find the Messages and Story Replies section under How Others Can Interact With You.
• Tap on this option to access messaging-related settings.

Step 3: Disable Read Receipts

• Look for the Show Read Receipts toggle.
• Turn off this toggle to disable read receipts for all your direct messages.

Once this setting is disabled:

• People who send you messages will no longer see whether you’ve read them.
• Similarly, you won’t be able to see if others have read your messages either.
• This adjustment applies universally across all your conversations on Instagram.

Turning off read receipts doesn’t affect your active status. If you want to appear offline completely. Learn how to disable active status on Instagarm.

How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram – For Specific Chats 🗣️❌

If you prefer a more selective approach—disabling read receipts for certain people while keeping them active for others—you can do so within individual chats. Here’s how I manage this:

Step 1: Open the Chat

• Go to your DMs by tapping the Messenger icon in the top-right corner of your home screen.
• Select the conversation where you want to disable read receipts.

Step 2: Access Privacy Settings

• Tap on the person’s name (or group chat name) at the top of the chat screen.
• This will open a menu with various options related to that specific conversation.

Step 3: Toggle Off Read Receipts

• Under Privacy & Safety, locate the Read Receipts option.
• Turn off this toggle for that particular chat.

By doing this:

• The person in that chat won’t know whether you’ve read their messages.
• However, read receipts will remain active for other conversations unless disabled individually.

Important Notes About Disabling Read Receipts ⚠️🔍

While turning off read receipts can enhance your privacy, there are a few things I’ve noticed that are worth keeping in mind:

• Mutual Impact: Disabling read receipts is a two-way street—once turned off, neither party will be able to see if their messages have been read.
• Vanish Mode Exception: If you use Vanish Mode (Instagram’s disappearing message feature), read receipts remain active even if they’re disabled elsewhere.
• Activity Status: Turning off read receipts doesn’t affect your activity status (the green dot or “last seen” timestamp). To hide your activity status, go to Settings > Privacy > Activity Status and toggle it off separately.
• Platform Variations: The steps might vary slightly depending on whether you’re using an iOS or Android device, but the general process remains consistent.

One thing I’ve noticed about Instagram’s read receipts is that individual chat settings work independently from the global account settings. For example, if I enable read receipts for a specific chat and later decide to turn them off for all chats through my account settings, the individual chat will still retain its original setting. 

This means I can customize how I handle read receipts on a case-by-case basis, which is incredibly helpful for managing different types of conversations.

It’s also worth mentioning that read receipts aren’t available for end-to-end encrypted chats. These chats prioritize privacy, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access the messages. While this means you won’t be able to see if someone has read your message in these secure conversations, I find it reassuring to know that my private discussions are fully protected and free from tracking.

Why Turning Off Read Receipts Matters 🔒✨

For me—and many others—turning off read receipts is about reclaiming control over our interactions on social media. Here are some key benefits:

1. Reduced Pressure
   Without read receipts, I don’t feel obligated to reply immediately after reading a message. This is especially helpful during busy workdays or when I need time to craft a thoughtful response.
2. Enhanced Privacy
   Disabling read receipts prevents others from tracking my activity too closely, allowing me to engage with messages at my own pace without feeling monitored.
3. Better Boundaries
   It helps set boundaries in situations where someone might expect instant replies or follow up unnecessarily after seeing that I’ve “read” their message.

if you’re looking to make Instagram more manageable overall, consider learning how to turn off auto-scroll as well.

Additional Tips for Managing Privacy on Instagram 🔐📱

Turning off read receipts is just one way to enhance your privacy on Instagram. Here are some other tips I follow:

1. Hide Your Activity Status
   Go to Settings > Privacy > Activity Status and turn off “Show Activity Status” so others can’t see when you’re online.
2. Restrict Accounts
   If someone is bothering you with frequent messages or unwanted attention, use Instagram’s Restrict feature under Privacy > Restricted Accounts.
3. Use Close Friends List
   For Stories and private updates, create a Close Friends list so only trusted individuals can view them.
4. Mute Conversations
   If turning off read receipts isn’t enough, consider muting notifications for specific chats by tapping “Mute Messages” in their conversation settings.

Conclusion 🎯💬

Instagram’s ability to let users disable read receipts is a game-changer for anyone looking to maintain better control over their messaging experience. Whether you choose to turn them off universally or just for specific chats, this feature allows you to engage with DMs at your own pace without feeling pressured or monitored.

Disabling read receipts has made my time on Instagram much more relaxed and enjoyable—it’s one less thing to worry about in an already fast-paced digital world! If privacy matters as much to you as it does to me, try these steps and take back control of your interactions today!