In the world of social media, privacy is a concern for many users. Instagram, one of the most popular platforms for sharing photos and videos, offers various features to protect user privacy. One such feature is Instagram Highlights, which allows users to create a permanent collection of their Instagram Stories on their profile. But can you see if someone screenshots your Instagram Story Highlights? In this article, we will explore this question and provide you with all the information you need to know.
Understanding Instagram Highlights
Before we dive into the topic of screenshot notifications, let’s first understand what Instagram Highlights are. Instagram Highlights are a series of Stories that can be viewed permanently on someone’s Instagram profile. Unlike regular Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, Highlights remain accessible to viewers indefinitely.
Instagram Highlights are a great way to showcase important moments, interests, or themes on your profile. They can be organized into different categories, making it easier for your followers to navigate through your content.
Does Instagram Notify When You Screenshot a Highlight?
One common concern among Instagram users is whether the platform notifies the creator when someone takes a screenshot of their Highlight. Fortunately, the answer is no. Instagram does not send a notification to the creator when someone screenshots their Highlight.
This wasn’t always the case, though. Instagram used to have screenshot notifications for Highlights back in 2018. Users would receive a notification every time their Highlight was screenshotted by another person. However, Instagram removed this feature, alleviating the worries of users who wanted to take a screenshot without being detected.
Can You See Who Screenshots Your Instagram Highlight?
Now that we know Instagram doesn’t notify the creator when someone screenshots their Highlight, let’s address another common question: Can you see who screenshots your Instagram Highlight? The answer is no.
Instagram does not provide any information or notifications regarding who has taken a screenshot of your Highlight. There is no indicator within the Highlight itself that reveals whether someone has screenshotted it or not. As a creator, you won’t have access to any data on who has saved or captured your content in this way.
The Importance of Privacy and Selective Sharing
While Instagram Highlights provide a way to showcase your favorite moments, interests, or themes, it’s essential to be mindful of what you choose to share. Once something is posted online, it can potentially be out there forever, even if you later decide to delete the Highlight.
It’s crucial to remember that Instagram Highlights are different from regular Instagram Stories. Stories are only available for 24 hours and are visible to your followers. Highlights, on the other hand, are permanent and can be seen by anyone who visits your profile.
It’s essential to consider your audience and think about what you want to share with the public. Potential employers, friends, and family members may view your Highlights, so it’s important to be mindful of the content you choose to highlight. Even if you delete a Highlight, someone may have already saved an image from it on their phone.
The Limitations of Instagram Privacy Settings
Instagram offers privacy settings to control who can view your content. However, it’s important to understand that these settings have limitations. While they can help restrict access to your posts, there are still ways for people to get around them.
Additionally, if someone who follows you on Instagram has malicious intentions, they can collect information from your Highlights and circulate it. It’s essential to periodically review your followers and ensure you are only connected with people you know and trust.
Viewing Instagram Highlight Viewers
As a creator, you might be curious about who has viewed your Instagram Highlight. Instagram provides a way for you to see the viewers of your Highlights, but there are some limitations.
To view the viewers of your Highlight, follow these steps within 48 hours of posting the Highlight:
- Access your Instagram account and go to your profile page.
- Locate the circles below the “Edit Profile” box, which represent your Highlights.
- Tap on the Highlight you want to view.
- Look for the eye icon, which indicates the viewers of the Highlight. Tap on it to see the list of users who have viewed your Highlight.
It’s important to note that this feature only works if you check within 48 hours of posting the Highlight. After this time period, the eye icon will no longer be visible, and you won’t be able to see the list of viewers.
The Importance of Highlight Privacy Settings
By default, Instagram Highlights are shared only with those on your “Close Friends” list. If you want your Highlights to be visible to all Instagram users, you need to change your Highlight settings to public mode.
To make your Highlights public, follow these steps:
- Open your Instagram account and log in.
- Go to your profile page.
- Locate the circles representing your Highlights.
- Tap on the Highlight you want to make public.
- Look for the settings icon, usually represented by three dots in the bottom right corner. Tap on it.
- In the settings menu, toggle the “Public” option to make the Highlight visible to everyone.
It’s important to note that if you want your Highlight to be public, the original Story from which the Highlight is created must also be public. Instagram does not allow a Story to be posted in “Close Friends” mode and then saved as a public Highlight.
How to Screenshot Instagram Highlights
If you want to take a screenshot of an Instagram Highlight, the process will depend on the type of phone you are using. Here are the steps for iPhone and Android devices:
Screenshotting Instagram Highlights on iPhone
For iPhone users, the steps to take a screenshot may vary depending on the model of your device.
iPhone models with Face ID:
- Press the side button and the volume up button simultaneously while the Highlight is on your screen.
- Release the buttons quickly.
- If the screenshot is successful, a small thumbnail of the captured image will appear in the lower left corner of your iPhone’s screen.
To view the screenshot, tap on the thumbnail. The image will be automatically saved in your Photos app, specifically in the “Screenshots” album.
- Press the side button and the home button simultaneously while the Highlight is on your screen.
- Release the buttons quickly.
- If the screenshot is successful, a small thumbnail of the captured image will appear in the lower left corner of your iPhone’s screen.
To view the screenshot, tap on the thumbnail. The image will be automatically saved in your Photos app, specifically in the “Screenshots” album.
- Press the top button and the home button simultaneously while the Highlight is on your screen.
- Release the buttons quickly.
- If the screenshot is successful, a small thumbnail of the captured image will appear in the lower left corner of your iPhone’s screen.
To view the screenshot, tap on the thumbnail. The image will be automatically saved in your Photos app, specifically in the “Screenshots” album.
Screenshotting Instagram Highlights on Android
The process of taking a screenshot on an Android device may vary depending on the version of Android you are using. Here are the general steps for Android 11 and newer devices:
- Open the Instagram Highlight you want to capture.
- Press and hold the power button and the volume down button simultaneously.
- Depending on your Android phone, there may be a “Screenshot Caption” button at the top of the screen.
- If the screenshot is successful, a preview of the screenshot will appear in the lower left corner of your Android device’s screen.
To view the screenshot, access your Photos app, go to the “Library” section, and select the “Screenshots” folder.
For Android 12 devices and newer, you can also take a scrolling screenshot of an Instagram Highlight. This allows you to capture the entire content of a long Highlight. Here’s how:
- Open the Instagram Highlight you want to capture.
- Press and hold the power button and the volume down button simultaneously.
- Select the “Capture More” option at the bottom of the screen.
- Use the cropping guidelines to select the entire content of the Highlight.
- If the screenshot is successful, a preview of the screenshot will appear in the lower left corner of your Android device’s screen.
To view the scrolling screenshot, access your Photos app, go to the “Library” section, and select the “Screenshots” folder.
The Use of Third-Party Apps
While Instagram itself does not provide a feature to notify you of screenshot activity on your Highlights, be cautious of third-party apps or websites that claim to offer this functionality. These apps are not reputable or authentic. Instagram does not partner with any third-party apps for screenshot notifications. Any such claims are likely false.
It’s important to be skeptical of apps or websites that require access to your Instagram account or personal information. Always prioritize your privacy and security when using third-party services.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Instagram does not notify the creator when someone takes a screenshot of their Highlight. You cannot see who has screenshotted your Instagram Highlight, and there are no indicators within the Highlight to reveal this information. It’s important to be mindful of what you choose to share on Instagram and consider your privacy settings. While you can take screenshots of Instagram Highlights, be respectful of the content and avoid sharing it without permission. Remember to always prioritize your privacy and security when using social media platforms.
