How to Turn Off Active on Instagram: A Detailed Guide

Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world, offering users a space to share photos, videos, and connect with others. One of the features Instagram offers is the “Activity Status” feature, which shows when you were last active on the platform. This feature allows others to see when you were last online or whether you’re currently active.

While this can be useful for keeping in touch with friends or family, there are times when you might want to disable this feature. Whether you’re seeking more privacy or simply want a break from the constant online presence, turning off the “Active” status on Instagram is an easy process. In this article, we will explain how to turn off Active on Instagram in simple steps.

What Does Active Status Mean on Instagram?

Before we dive into how to turn off the feature, it’s important to understand what “Active” status on Instagram means.

Instagram has a feature that shows when you are active on the app, either in real time or showing the last time you were active. When you’re actively using Instagram, it shows that you’re online, and others can see this. If you’re not currently using the app but have been active recently, Instagram shows when you were last active (e.g., “Active 5 minutes ago” or “Active 1 hour ago”).

Your followers, people you chat with on Direct Messages, or anyone with whom you’ve interacted on Instagram can see this status. This can sometimes feel intrusive, especially if you want to maintain privacy or need a break from constant attention.

Why Turn Off the Active Status?

There are various reasons you may want to turn off the “Active” status on Instagram.

Privacy Concerns	You may want to keep your activity on Instagram private and avoid others knowing when you’re online.
Avoid Pressure	If you don’t want others to feel like you have to respond immediately to messages, turning off the activity status gives you the freedom to reply on your own terms.
Focusing on Your Work	Sometimes, you might want to avoid distractions from Instagram while you focus on other tasks. Turning off the active status helps you stay off the radar.
Taking a Break	If you want to take a break from Instagram but don’t want others to know you’re offline, turning off the “Active” status is an easy way to make sure no one notices your absence.

Now that you know why turning off your “Active” status might be helpful, let’s look at how to do it.

How to Turn Off Active on Instagram (Step-by-Step)

There are few simple steps that you can follow to turn off the “Active” status on Instagram. The process is easy and can be done in just a few taps, whether you’re using the Instagram app on an Android or iPhone.

Open the Instagram App

First, open the Instagram app on your phone. Make sure you’re logged into your account.

Go to Your Profile

To start, tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner of the app. And your Instagram profile will open.

Open Settings

Next, tap on the three horizontal lines (also known as the hamburger icon) in the top right corner of your profile page. A menu with multiple options will open. From this menu, select “Settings.”

Navigate to Privacy Settings

In the settings menu, scroll down until you see “Privacy” and tap on it.

Disable Activity Status

Under the Privacy settings, you will see an option labeled “Activity Status.” Tap on it, and you’ll be directed to a new page.

Here, you’ll see a toggle next to the phrase “Show Activity Status.” By default, this option is turned on, meaning others can see when you were last active on Instagram. To disable this feature, simply toggle the switch to the off position.

When the switch is off, it will no longer show when you are online or the last time you were active.

What Happens When You Turn Off the Active Status?

Once you’ve turned off your “Active” status, people will no longer be able to see when you are online or when you were last active. However, there is one thing to note: Instagram doesn’t just stop showing your activity status to others; it also hides the activity status of others from you.

In other words, once you turn off the feature, you also won’t be able to see the “Active” status of others. This means you’ll lose the ability to see when your friends or contacts are online, which could be seen as both a benefit (for privacy) and a disadvantage (if you want to keep track of when others are available).

Can You Turn Off Active Status for Specific People?

Unfortunately, Instagram does not allow you to turn off your “Active” status for specific people. The option to disable your “Active” status is either on or off for everyone. If you want to stop certain people from seeing your activity status, the only option is to block them or unfollow them.

Things to Keep in Mind After Turning Off Active Status

After turning off your “Active” status, there are a few things to keep in mind.

No Notifications	If you’ve turned off the “Active” status, Instagram will not notify you when your friends turn off theirs. You’ll only be able to see their posts and messages without knowing whether they are active or not.
DMs Will Still Be Available	Even though your activity status is off, you can still send and receive direct messages on Instagram. You just won’t be able to see when someone is online or has read your messages.
Reversing the Change	If you change your mind and want to turn your activity status back on, simply follow the same steps and toggle the “Show Activity Status” option back on.

How to Turn off Active on Instagram Desktop?

Instagram is also available through web browsers, and you can turn off the “Active” status on your computer too. Here’s how you can do it:

Log in to your Instagram account through web browser by going to the official website of Instagram.
Go to your Profile by clicking your profile picture in the top right corner.
Open Settings by clicking the gear icon next to your username.
Disable Activity Status by unchecking the “Show Activity Status” option.

This will hide your activity status on Instagram even when you’re using a computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Turning off the “Active” status can give you more privacy and freedom. It prevents others from seeing when you’re online or when you were last active. This is especially useful if you want to avoid distractions, reduce pressure to respond immediately, or take a break from Instagram.

Unfortunately, Instagram does not allow you to turn off your “Active” status for specific people. The setting applies to all users, meaning that if you turn it off, no one will be able to see your activity, and you also won’t see theirs.

No, turning off your “Active” status does not prevent you from receiving direct messages. You will still be able to send and receive DMs, but others won’t be able to see if you’re online or when you were last active.

No, once you turn off your “Active” status, you also won’t be able to see when others are online or when they were last active. It works both ways: you lose the ability to see other people’s activity status, just as they lose the ability to see yours.

Yes, you can turn your “Active” status back on. Just follow the same steps you used to turn it off, and toggle the “Show Activity Status” option back on. This will allow others to see when you’re online again.

Conclusion

How to turn off Active on Instagram is a quick and simple process that allows you to maintain your privacy and avoid the pressure of constantly being online. Whether you want to take a break from Instagram or simply enjoy some privacy, following the steps outlined in this article will help you disable the feature in no time.

Instagram’s “Active” status feature can be useful, but turning it off can give you more control over your social media experience. Whether you want to focus on other tasks or just enjoy some privacy, turning off the “Active” status is a smart move.

How to Turn Off Active on Instagram: A Detailed Guide

What Does Active Status Mean on Instagram?

Why Turn Off the Active Status?