How To Screenshot An Instagram Story Without Getting Caught
Why Take Screenshots of Instagram Stories?
There are multiple reasons to screenshot an Instagram Story some legitimate, some not so legitimate.
Maybe you want to buy something that’s featured in it. Maybe you want to save a pretty picture to make it your wallpaper. Maybe you just really like a photo of your friend or a family member and you want to keep it. Maybe you 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’ll look like a creep even if your reason for taking 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 an Instagram Story, the user won’t 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 will 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 in the book, and one that most Snapchat users will be familiar with. While Snapchat has now blocked this method, it still works on Instagram:
Open the Instagram app and wait for the Story to load.
Turn on Airplane mode. This will turn off cellular data, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and disconnect all wireless devices. On iOS, you can do this using the iOS Control Center. On Android, you can do it from your notification toggles or from the Settings app.
Go back to the Instagram app, tap on the Story that you want, and take a screenshot.
On Android, force quit the Instagram app before disabling Airplane mode. On iOS, you must uninstall and reinstall Instagram before disabling 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 view your feed, post photos, and even view Instagram Stories.
The Instagram website works great on mobile as well as desktop.
Navigate to Instagram.com, login, and open the Instagram Story. If you’re on desktop, you’ll find Instagram Stories on the right edge of the screen.
After opening the Instagram Story, take a screenshot like you normally would, minus the worry.
3. Use a Screen Recorder
Screen recording is another workaround that doesn’t 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’ve logged in, Story Saver for Instagram will show you your Instagram Stories feed in a list. Tap on a user and you’ll see a grid of their stories. Tap on a thumbnail and you’ll see three options: Repost, Save, and Share. Tap on Save and the image or video will be saved to your Gallery.
5. Use Instant Stories for InstaStory on iOS
As with Story Saver, you’ll see a list of all your followers’ stories upon logging in. Tap on the story you’d like to check out and possibly save. You’ll see a repost icon at the bottom.
Clicking that will automatically save to your camera roll, but it won’t repost. If you’d actually like to repost then you can continue on via the prompt.
6. Or Just Use a Camera
If you’re in a hurry to save something from the Instagram Story but don’t want to use third-party apps, 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.
