Turn off read receipts in Instagram's privacy settings
You can disable read receipts on Instagram so that people cannot see when you have read their direct messages. The setting is in your privacy controls, and turning it off applies to all your conversations at once — you cannot hide read receipts from some people and not others.
On Instagram for iPhone or Android, open the app and tap your profile icon in the bottom right. Go to Settings and privacy, then select Messages and story replies. Look for the toggle next to "Read receipts" and turn it off. The change takes effect immediately.
On Instagram's web version, click your profile icon in the top right, select Settings and privacy, then Messages and story replies. Toggle off Read receipts the same way. If you use Instagram through a web browser on desktop, the setting is in the same location.
Key Takeaways
- Read receipts show the person messaging you exactly when you opened and read their message, displayed as a small icon or timestamp in the chat.
- Turning off read receipts hides this information from everyone who messages you — the setting applies to all conversations, not individual chats.
- The setting is found under Settings and privacy, then Messages and story replies, on both the mobile app and web version.
- People can still see when you were last active on Instagram if you have not also turned off your activity status in the same menu.
What read receipts actually show
A read receipt on Instagram is a small icon or timestamp that tells someone you have opened their direct message. It appears next to the message they sent and updates in real time as you read it. The exact appearance depends on whether you are using the mobile app or web version, but the function is the same.
Read receipts are separate from your activity status, which shows whether you are currently using Instagram or when you were last online. You can turn off read receipts without changing your activity status, or vice versa. Many people turn off both to limit how much information others can see about their presence on the app.
Why you might want to hide read receipts
Some people turn off read receipts because they do not want others to know they have seen a message but chosen not to reply yet. This is useful if you read messages at odd hours, are busy, or simply want time to think before responding without someone knowing you have already read what they wrote.
Others disable read receipts to avoid the social pressure of appearing to ignore someone. If a message sits unread, the sender may assume you have not seen it. If you turn off read receipts, they cannot tell whether you have read it and are just taking time to respond.
Read receipts can also feel intrusive in professional or formal conversations where you want to keep a boundary between your personal time and when you are actively working or available.
What happens when you turn off read receipts
When you disable read receipts, people who message you will no longer see when you have read their messages. The read receipt icon or timestamp will not appear next to their messages in your conversation with them. This applies to all direct messages, including group chats.
Turning off read receipts does not delete past read receipts — it only stops new ones from showing. If someone screenshotted a conversation before you turned off the setting, they will still have that image. The setting also does not hide the fact that you are typing a reply if you use the typing indicator, which is a separate feature.
One important limitation: turning off read receipts does not hide your activity status. If you have not also disabled activity status in the same menu, people can still see when you were last active on Instagram, which gives them a rough idea of when you might have read their message.
How to also hide your activity status
If you want to go further and hide when you are online, you can turn off your activity status at the same time. In Settings and privacy, go to Messages and story replies and look for the toggle next to "Activity status." Turn it off to prevent people from seeing when you were last active on Instagram.
Disabling activity status means people cannot see a timestamp like "Active now" or "Active 2h ago" next to your name in their chat list or in a conversation. However, Instagram still tracks your actual activity internally — this setting only hides the information from other users.
Keep in mind that if you turn off activity status, you also cannot see other people's activity status. The setting is mutual: you hide yours and lose the ability to see theirs.
Read receipts in group chats and story replies
Read receipts work the same way in group direct messages as they do in one-on-one chats. When you turn off the setting, group members cannot see when you have read messages in that group conversation. The setting applies to all group chats at once.
Story replies are direct messages that people send in response to your Instagram story. Read receipts on story replies follow the same rule — if you have turned off read receipts in your Messages and story replies settings, people cannot see when you have read their story replies either.
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 who messages you. You cannot hide read receipts from one person while showing them to another. If you want to hide read receipts from a specific person, your only option is to turn off the setting for all conversations.
If I turn off read receipts, can I still see when other people read my messages?
Yes. The read receipt setting is one-way. Turning it off hides your read receipts from others, but you can still see read receipts from people who message you, unless they have also turned off their own read receipts. You are not blocking the feature — you are just opting out of showing it.
Will people know I turned off read receipts?
No. When read receipts are off, the icon simply does not appear. People will not receive a notification that you have disabled the feature. They may notice over time that you never show read receipts, but Instagram does not tell them you have turned it off.
Does turning off read receipts hide my typing indicator?
No. The typing indicator (the "typing..." text that appears when you are composing a message) is separate from read receipts. Turning off read receipts does not affect whether people see that you are typing. You would need to disable typing indicators in a different setting if that option becomes available.
What if I change my mind and want to turn read receipts back on?
You can turn read receipts back on anytime by going to Settings and privacy, Messages and story replies, and toggling Read receipts back on. The change takes effect immediately, and people will start seeing your read receipts again in new messages.