You can disable read receipts in Instagram's direct message settings so people won't see when you've read their messages
Instagram shows a small timestamp or "Seen" indicator when you read a direct message. If you don't want people to know you've read their messages, you can turn this off in your privacy settings. The setting works across all your direct messages at once — you can't hide read receipts from some people and show them to others.
Turning off read receipts means nobody will see when you've opened their message. They'll still know you received it, but they won't know whether you've actually read it yet. The setting applies to new messages going forward; it doesn't hide past read receipts from conversations that already happened.
Key Takeaways
- Read receipts are turned on by default in Instagram direct messages, showing others when you've seen their message.
- You can disable read receipts in Settings > Privacy > Messages, then toggle off "Read Receipts".
- Disabling read receipts hides when you read messages from everyone — you cannot turn it off for specific people only.
- People can still see that you received their message; they just won't see the exact time you opened it.
- The setting takes effect immediately for new messages, but does not change read receipts already shown in past conversations.
How to turn off read receipts on iPhone or iPad
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Privacy. Look for the Messages section and tap it.
You'll see a toggle next to Read Receipts. Tap the toggle to turn it off. The toggle will no longer be highlighted or colored, which means read receipts are now disabled. Close the settings and return to your messages — the change is active immediately.
How to turn off read receipts on Android
Open Instagram and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right. Scroll down and tap Settings and privacy, then tap Privacy. Find the Messages section and tap it.
Tap the toggle next to Read Receipts to turn it off. The toggle will become gray or uncolored when disabled. Your messages will no longer show read receipts to other people starting immediately.
What happens when you turn off read receipts
When read receipts are off, people won't see "Seen" or a timestamp next to their message. They'll still see that their message was delivered to you — Instagram distinguishes between a message that reached your account and a message you actually opened. Turning off read receipts only hides the second part.
If someone sends you a message while read receipts are off, they won't see when you read it. But if you turn read receipts back on later, they'll start seeing your read status again for all new messages from that point forward. Old messages won't retroactively show when you read them.
Why someone might turn off read receipts
Some people disable read receipts because they don't want others to feel ignored if they read a message but don't respond right away. Others use it to avoid the pressure of being expected to reply immediately. In group chats, turning off read receipts can reduce the sense that you're deliberately ignoring someone.
Privacy is another reason — you might not want people tracking your activity or knowing your exact schedule. Disabling read receipts is one way to keep your message-reading habits private without blocking anyone or leaving the conversation.
Turning read receipts back on
If you change your mind, you can re-enable read receipts the same way you turned them off. Go to Settings and privacy > Privacy > Messages and tap the Read Receipts toggle to turn it back on. The toggle will be highlighted or colored again.
Once you turn read receipts back on, people will see when you read their messages again. This applies to all new messages going forward. Messages you received while read receipts were off won't show retroactive read times.
Read receipts in group chats
Read receipts work the same way in group direct messages as they do in one-on-one conversations. When you have read receipts on, everyone in the group can see when you've read the message. When you turn them off, no one in the group will see your read status.
If other people in the group have read receipts on, you'll still see when they've read messages. Your setting only controls whether others see your read status, not whether you see theirs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off read receipts for just one person?
No. Instagram's read receipt setting is all-or-nothing — it applies to everyone you message. If you turn off read receipts, nobody will see when you read their messages. You cannot disable them for specific people while keeping them on for others.
Will people know I turned off read receipts?
Not directly. People won't receive a notification that you've disabled read receipts. However, if someone knows you usually respond quickly and suddenly stops seeing "Seen" timestamps, they might figure it out. There's no way for them to check your settings.
Does turning off read receipts hide my online status too?
No. Read receipts and online status are separate settings. Turning off read receipts only hides when you've read a message. Your active status (the green dot showing you're currently using Instagram) is controlled by a different privacy setting in the same Messages section.
What if I turn off read receipts but someone screenshots my message?
Read receipts don't affect screenshots. If someone takes a screenshot of your message, they can see it regardless of your read receipt settings. Instagram does notify you when someone screenshots a disappearing message, but not for regular messages.
Can I see read receipts from other people if I turn mine off?
Yes. Your read receipt setting only controls whether others see when you read messages. You'll still see when other people read your messages if they have read receipts turned on. Their settings don't affect what you see.