how to block someone from your instagram story
Instagram has become a popular platform for sharing our daily lives with our friends and followers. With the introduction of Instagram stories, users can now share temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours. While this feature has added a new level of excitement to the app, it has also raised concerns about privacy and unwanted followers. If you are an active user of Instagram, chances are you might have encountered someone who you do not want to see your stories. In this article, we will discuss how to block someone from your Instagram story and ensure your privacy.
Why do you need to block someone from your Instagram story?
Before we dive into the steps of blocking someone from your Instagram story, let us understand why it is necessary to do so. Instagram stories are a great way to share everyday moments with your close friends and followers. However, there might be certain people in your followers’ list who you do not want to see your stories. It could be an ex-partner, an annoying acquaintance, or even a stranger who you do not want to share your personal life with. In such cases, it is important to know how to block someone from your Instagram story to maintain your privacy and peace of mind.
Steps to block someone from your Instagram story
Now that we have established the need to block someone from your Instagram story, let us look at the steps you can follow to do so. Please note that this method applies to blocking someone from viewing your stories and not your posts or profile.
Step 1: Open your Instagram app and go to your profile by tapping on your profile picture at the bottom right corner.
Step 2: Once you are on your profile, tap on the three horizontal lines at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: From the menu, select “Settings” at the bottom of the list.
Step 4: In the settings menu, tap on “Privacy” and then select “Story.”
Step 5: Here, you will find an option called “Hide Story From.” Tap on it to proceed.
Step 6: You will now see a list of your followers. Simply tap on the person you want to block from viewing your stories.
Step 7: Once you have selected the person, their name will appear on the “Hide Story From” list. You can add multiple people to this list by repeating the same process.
Step 8: Once you have added all the people you want to hide your stories from, tap on the “Done” button at the top right corner of the screen.
Step 9: A confirmation message will appear, asking if you want to hide your story from the selected followers. Tap on “Hide” to confirm.
Step 10: The selected followers will now be blocked from viewing your stories. However, they will still be able to see your posts and profile.
Alternative methods to block someone from your Instagram story
Apart from the above-mentioned method, there are a few other ways you can block someone from your Instagram story. Let us take a look at them.
1. Block the person from your followers’ list: You can also block someone from viewing your stories by simply blocking them from your followers’ list. To do this, go to your followers’ list, find the person you want to block, tap on their profile, and select “Block.” This will block them from viewing your stories as well as your posts and profile.
2. Create a close friends list: Instagram allows you to create a close friends list where you can add selected followers who you want to share your stories with. To do this, go to your profile, tap on the three horizontal lines, and select “Close Friends.” Here, you can add or remove followers from your close friends list. Once you have created the list, you can share your stories with only the people on this list.
3. Restrict the person: If you do not want to completely block someone from your Instagram story, you can restrict them. This feature allows you to limit the person’s interactions with your account, including viewing your stories. To restrict someone, go to their profile, tap on the three dots at the top right corner, and select “Restrict.” This will ensure that the person can still view your stories, but their comments and messages will only be visible to you.
4. Use the “Close Friends” feature for individual stories: Instagram also allows you to use the “Close Friends” feature for individual stories. This means you can share certain stories with your close friends list while hiding them from the rest of your followers. To do this, upload a story as usual, and before posting it, tap on the “Close Friends” icon at the bottom of the screen. This will ensure that only your close friends can view this particular story.
Tips to maintain your privacy on Instagram
While blocking someone from your Instagram story is an effective way to maintain your privacy, there are a few other tips you can follow to ensure the safety of your personal information on the app.
1. Make your account private: By making your account private, you can control who can view your posts and stories. This way, you can avoid unwanted followers from viewing your content.
2. Be mindful of who you accept as followers: It is always a good idea to review the profiles of people who request to follow you. If you do not feel comfortable with someone, you can choose not to accept their request.
3. Use the “Restrict” feature: As mentioned earlier, you can restrict someone from interacting with your account. This can be a helpful feature when you do not want to completely block someone, but still want to limit their access to your content.
4. Be cautious while using location services : Enabling location services for Instagram can make it easy for others to track your whereabouts. Ensure that you only enable location services when necessary and avoid tagging your location in your stories.
5. Keep your personal information private: Avoid sharing sensitive information such as your phone number, email address, or home address on your Instagram profile.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Instagram has provided us with various options to control who can view our stories. By following the steps mentioned above, you can easily block someone from your Instagram story and maintain your privacy. Additionally, it is important to be mindful of what you share on the app and review your followers’ list regularly to ensure the safety of your personal information. Happy Instagramming!
how to see instagram messages without opening
In the age of social media, Instagram is one of the most popular platforms for sharing photos and videos. With millions of users worldwide, it has become a go-to app for people to connect, share and discover new content. Apart from sharing posts, Instagram also allows users to send direct messages to each other. These messages can be text, photos or videos, making it a convenient way to communicate with friends, family and even businesses. However, there may be times when you want to see Instagram messages without opening the app. Whether it is to maintain privacy, save time or simply out of curiosity, there are ways to access Instagram messages without opening the app. In this article, we will explore different methods to see Instagram messages without opening the app.
But first, let us understand why someone would want to see Instagram messages without opening the app. One of the main reasons is to maintain privacy. Sometimes, you may receive a message from someone you do not want to talk to, or you may want to avoid a conversation without appearing rude. In such cases, seeing the message without opening the app can give you the freedom to choose whether to respond or not. Moreover, opening the app and reading the message will also show the sender that you have seen it, creating an obligation to respond. Another reason could be to save time. If you are busy with work or other tasks, constantly opening the app to check messages can be distracting and time-consuming. By seeing messages without opening the app, you can quickly check if there are any important messages that need your attention. Lastly, some people may simply be curious to see what messages they have received without actually engaging with the app.
Now that we understand the reasons, let us explore the different ways to see Instagram messages without opening the app. The first method is to use the notification preview feature on your smartphone. If you have enabled notifications for Instagram on your phone, you will receive a preview of the message on your screen when you receive a new message. This preview usually includes the sender’s name, the first few lines of the message, and sometimes even a small thumbnail of the photo or video attached. By swiping down on the notification, you can see the full message without opening the app. However, this method only works if you have not disabled notifications for Instagram on your phone.
Another way to see Instagram messages without opening the app is by using Instagram’s desktop version. While Instagram is primarily an app for mobile devices, it also has a desktop version that can be accessed through a web browser. To use this method, you need to log in to your Instagram account on a desktop or laptop. Once you are logged in, you can see your direct messages on the top right corner of the screen, represented by a paper plane icon. By clicking on it, you can see all your messages and even reply to them without opening the app on your phone. This method is particularly useful if you are working on your computer and do not want to switch between devices to check messages.
If you are an Android user, you can also use the “Direct Message for Instagram” app to see messages without opening the Instagram app. This third-party app works by syncing with your Instagram account and showing your messages in a separate interface. You can also send and receive messages through this app without opening Instagram. However, this app is not available on the Apple App Store, so iPhone users cannot use this method.
Another popular method to see Instagram messages without opening the app is by using the Unseen app. This app is available for both Android and iPhone users and works by disabling the read receipts on your Instagram account. By doing so, the sender will not be notified when you have read their message, allowing you to see the message without opening the app. However, this app only works for text messages and does not support photos or videos. Moreover, it may not be entirely reliable as Instagram may still show read receipts at times.
For iPhone users, there is a built-in feature called “AssistiveTouch” that can also help see Instagram messages without opening the app. To use this method, you need to enable AssistiveTouch in your phone’s settings and create a custom gesture to take a screenshot. Once you have set up the gesture, you can use it to take a screenshot of the message preview without opening the app. This method may not be as convenient as the others, but it is a useful workaround for iPhone users.
Lastly, there are several third-party apps and websites that claim to help you see Instagram messages without opening the app. However, it is important to be cautious while using these methods as they may violate Instagram’s terms of service and put your account at risk. Moreover, these apps and websites may also ask for your login credentials, which can compromise your account’s security. It is always recommended to use the methods provided by Instagram itself or trusted sources.
In conclusion, there are various ways to see Instagram messages without opening the app. From using notification previews to third-party apps, you can choose the method that works best for you. However, it is important to use these methods responsibly and with caution to avoid any security risks. Whether you want to maintain privacy, save time or satisfy your curiosity, these methods can help you stay connected with your friends and family without constantly opening the Instagram app.