Can you screen record instagram stories without them knowing

Instagram has previously tested a feature where its users could see who was taking screenshots of their Stories. While this feature ended up being retired, it left many questioning whether people can see if you screenshot their Instagram Story.

Taking screenshots of Instagram Stories is easy—if you know the right trick. And rest assured you can keep these screenshots private and not worry about being caught off guard, even if Instagram changes the rules around screenshots in the future.

Why Take Screenshots of Instagram Stories?

There are multiple reasons to screenshot an Instagram Story—some legitimate, others not so much. 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, plus 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 screenshot notification. Instagram users will receive a notification if a screenshot is taken of a disappearing photo in their DMs.

If you didn't know this, you might want to review the basics of Instagram.

Ways to Take a Screenshot of an Instagram Story

If you're after ways to screenshot disappearing photos and Stories on Instagram, there is an assortment of options available. Should Instagram's policy change or another feature emerges that reveals the user, try these options out.

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:

1. Open the Instagram app and wait for the Story to load.
2. 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.
3. Go back to the Instagram app, tap on the Story that you want, and take a screenshot.
4. 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 site where you can view your feed, comment, post, and Instagram Stories. While it does support direct messaging, it still requires the Instagram app if you want to see a disappearing message.

The website is, in fact, so good that you can use it as a replacement for the Instagram app. It could help with minimizing your social media use, while also making it easy to dip into your Instagram feed once in a while.

And as you're using Instagram from your computer, Instagram can't tell when you've taken a screenshot.

Navigate to Instagram.com, log in, and open the Instagram Story. After opening it, 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. There are many different options for screen recording, and you can use your preferred screen recording method regardless of your current platform.

4. Use Video Downloader for Instagram on Android

Once you've logged in to your Instagram account, Video Downloader for Instagram gives a quick run-down of how to download or bulk download Stories before asking for permissions on your device. From here, you're given access to the home and browser tabs to start acquiring Stories.

Before proceeding with a download via either method, you'll be asked to sign in to your Instagram account. For your privacy, you'll only log in via the official Instagram site.

When initially downloading via a link, you'll also be prompted with an advertisement that's meant to keep your downloads afterward ad-free for the next six hours. While this will free you from advertisements while directly downloading from pasted links, you'll still experience intermittent advertisements across the rest of the app.

For those looking to dodge the annoying ads and access more features, the app offers weekly, monthly, or a lifetime access fee. However, you'll also need to weigh the continual functionality of these things relative to Instagram's ongoing changes.

Once signed in, the Home tab will automatically generate a suggested collection post. When using these, there's a download limit counter that can be extended via additional video advertisements.

After you've downloaded with Video Downloader for Instagram for the first time, there are a few different options. Your file downloads, whether direct or via the in-app browser, will be saved in your download list with the option to extract audio from the video, repost, share, copy text, or delete the file.

If you don't wish to interact with them via that method, you're also free to access them via your phone's default gallery.

Download: Video Downloader for Instagram for Android (Free, premium options available)

5. Use Story Saver for Me on iOS

Unlike Video Downloader for Instagram on Android, Story Saver for Me on iOS lets you view and download Stories without logging into Instagram. If an account is set to private, you can't bypass this to download Stories; you can still browse anonymously on public profiles. To start searching for accounts, tap on the Search tab and enter a username.

Live Stories will appear automatically on the first tab with the option to look at the account's collection posts. From here, tap on a Story post to bring it up. From here, you'll select Add to List for the Instagram Story you want to download.

After going to My List tab, you can then tap the icon in the bottom right to bring up the option to save your photo or video via a variety of methods. You can also directly share the saved Story to other apps, such as messaging apps.

Download: Instant Story Saver for Me for iOS (Free)

6. 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. Also, you should consider just taking the screenshot from the Instagram app.

If the Story is public and you just want to save something for later (like a restaurant recommendation), take the screenshot, and don't worry that the other person may be notified.

Always Use Your Moral Compass

Despite there being genuine reasons to save an Instagram Story, you should not use this cloak of anonymity for evil-doings. In other words, don't be a stalker or a creep. Questionable motives are one of the reasons Instagram attempted to track if you screenshot someone's Instagram Story.

Overall, taking a screenshot of what you need on Instagram isn't a cause for worry if you do so responsibly. Getting into the habit can serve as both a reminder and extra insurance for crucial information. Plus, with Vanish Mode on Instagram, it can be helpful to grab screenshots of in-the-moment info should you forget to disable this feature.