How to Screenshot a Story on Instagram Without Getting Caught
Why Take Screenshots of Instagram Stories?
There are several reasons why you would want to screenshot an Instagram Story some legitimate, some not so legitimate.
It might be that you want to buy something that is featured in it. Maybe you want to save a pretty picture so youcan turn it into your wallpaper. Maybe you just really just like a photo of your friend or a family member and you want to keep it. Maybe you just want to take a screenshot of a Story so you can then share it in your group chat with your best friends and talk about the photo.
All of these reasons, and others, will still exist if Instagram rolls out the screenshot notification feature for everyone. But you will look like a creep even if the reason you took a screenshot is entirely innocent.
Thankfully, there are a number of workarounds to help you screenshot Instagram Stories without getting caught.
Does Instagram Notify Users When You Screenshot a Story?
When someone takes a screenshot of a story on Instagram Story, the user would not be notified. So if you screenshot someone’s Instagram Story, don’t worry. Your privacy remains intact.
With that said, remember that Instagram can change this at any time. Right now, there’s only one similar notification. Instagram users would receive a notification if a screenshot is taken of a disappearing photo in their DMs.
Ways to Take a Screenshot of an Instagram Story
1. Use Airplane Mode
This is the oldest trick that is available in the book, and one that almost all Snapchat users would be familiar with. While Snapchat has now blocked this method, it still works on Instagram:
- Open your Instagram application and wait for the Story to load.
- Turn on your device Airplane mode. This would turn off cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and disconnect all wireless devices. On iOS, you can do this using your iOS Control Center. On Android, you can do it from your notification toggles or from the Settings application.
- Go back to the Instagram application, tap on the Story that you want, and take a screenshot.
- On Android, force quit the Instagram applicaion before disabling Airplane mode. On iOS, you must uninstall and reinstall Instagram before you can turn off Airplane mode.
2. Use the Instagram Website
For years, Instagram fought the notion of a website. But now, it has a fully functioning website where you can see your feed, post photos, and even view all Instagram Stories.
Go over to Instagram.com, login, and open the Instagram Story. If you are on desktop, you will find Instagram Stories on the right edge of the screen.
After opening the Instagram Story, take a screenshot like you normally would, minus the usual worry.
3. Use a Screen Recorder
Screen recording is another workaround that does not in any way, require any permissions on the part of Instagram itself. Just start recording with your preferred app and then open up Instagram. Then go to your desired Story and record your own copy.
With the Instagram Story saved, you can edit it down to a screenshot later on.
4. Use Story Saver for Instagram on Android
Once you have logged in, Story Saver for Instagram would show you your Instagram Stories feed in a list. Tap on a user and you will see a grid of their stories. Tap on a thumbnail and you will see three options: Repost, Save, and Share. Tap on the Save and the image or video would be saved to your Gallery.
5. Use Instant Stories for InstaStory on iOS
As with Story Saver, you will see a list of all your followers’ stories upon logging in. Tap on the story that you would like to check out and possibly save to your device. you will see a repost icon that is located at the bottom.
Clicking on that would automatically save to your camera roll, but it would not repost. If you would actually like to repost then you can continue on with the prompt.
6. Or Just Use a Camera
If you are in a hurry to save something from the Instagram Story but you do not want to use third-party applications, just use any other device you have with a camera and take a photo of your phone with the Instagram Story. The quality won’t be great, but it will get the job done.
