How to Read Instagram Messages without Seen

Like other messaging apps, Instagram has a feature that lets the sender know if you have opened the message. When you read the DMs, Instagram leaves "Seen" to notify the sender. But do you know you can read the Instagram DM without seeing it? This post introduces five methods to do so.

Method 1. Preview the Messages

The first yet the easiest solution to read Instagram messages without opening is to look at the notifications panel.

Once someone sends you a message, a notification appears on your phone screen as long as the Instagram notification is enabled. Then, you can swipe down over it to read it. But be careful not to click on it; otherwise, the seen receipt will be triggered.

Method 2. Turn off the Read Receipts

At the beginning of 2024, Instagram rolled out an option that allows you to turn off the read receipts on Android or iPhone. That is, you can read Instagram DM without being seen. Surely, you are also not able to know if the other opened your messages.

Below is how to read Instagram messages without being seen on iPhone and Android:

Method 3. Restrict the User

Another way to view Instagram messages without being seen is to restrict the sender. When you restrict an account, he or she is not able to know if you've read their messages or see your online status.

Note that restricting does not mean blocking, so the restricted account can still reach out to you through DMs. However, to reply to the message, you have to unrestrict the account. Now, follow the steps to see Instagram messages without seen by restricting the sender:

💡To keep communications with this user, do not forget to click on "Unrestrict."

Method 4. Read the Messages without Internet

Imagine that if you turn off your internet connection, will the "seen" status be sent to the sender? The straight answer is no. Therefore, by cutting off the internet, you can open an Instagram message without reading it.

With an important note: because the read receipt command will be sent immediately after your data is back on, you need to clear your Instagram cache to complete the process. Here's how:

Method 5. Read Instagram Messages from Another Phone

There are apps helping you to read Instagram messages from another phone without opening or being seen. And AirDroid Instagram Monitor is the most reliable without ads. This tool syncs notifications (Instagram messages included) of one phone with another. Here's how it works:

FAQs about Instagram Messages

Can you read Instagram messages without being seen?

Elsa

Yes, the easiest way is to pull up your notification panel. You can also utilize the in-app features like read receipts or restricting to check Instagram DMs without being seen. By cutting off the Internet and clearing caches is feasible but a little complex. To read DMs from another phone or your child's phone, don't forget AirDroid Parental Control.

Does Instagram notify if you screenshot a DM?

Elsa

This answer depends. If you turn on Vanish Mode for this chat, screenshots will notify the sender by saying, "You took a screenshot." If this is a normal chat without Vanish Mode, Instagram won't send notifications when you screenshot the DM.

Can someone see if you've read their message request on Instagram?

Elsa

No. Message from message requests aren't marked as "seen" even if you opened them.