Debunked: Is Instagram now notifying people if you screenshot messages!?

Instagram has just launched a new disappearing messages feature – and this is causing absolute havoc on Twitter with the rumour mill spiralling about whether taking a screenshot of messages will now notify whoever is in your DMs. This is of course chaos for those of us who love sending screenshots of chats to our group chats to analyse and unpack – and would throw everything we know about Instagram notifications right out of the window. Before you panic, here’s a full explainer on if Instagram sends notifications if you screenshot messages in the DMs following the new update and disappearing messages feature.

GUYS DONT SS ON INSTAGRAM…THERE’S A NEW UPDATE 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/EBCLswoJYG

— jan ୨୧ iso gracie leeds vip (@imjustplsticine) February 20, 2025

In a tweet that had gone viral, someone alerted to no longer screenshot on Instagram following a new update. However, don’t sweat it – there’s a technicality and you will be completely fine screenshotting direct messages.

okay so it is true but it doesn’t work for group chats. also it happens whether or not ur in disappearing mode fuckkkk https://t.co/YZ2Pr1TAqI pic.twitter.com/sq6Tu3asey

— lisa frankenstein (@manicpix13) February 20, 2025

However, if you pull down on your messages in the Instagram DMs and turn on the new disappearing messages feature and take a screenshot, whoever your messaging will indeed get a notification.

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Instagram’s disappearing DMs are a cool way to send private messages that vanish after they’ve been seen. To use it, just swipe up in a chat to turn on Vanish Mode. Once it’s activated, any text, photo, or video you send will disappear as soon as the recipient sees it and leaves the chat. It’s a great way to keep things more private! Plus, if someone takes a screenshot or screen recording of your message, Instagram will give you a heads-up, so you know. When you’re done, just swipe up again to turn it off and go back to regular messaging. It’s perfect for those quick, private convos where you don’t want things hanging around forever.

Unlike disappearing DMs, you can screenshot Instagram Stories without triggering any notifications. So, if you want to save a Story for later or share it with a friend, you’re good to go. Instagram doesn’t alert the person who posted the Story if you take a screenshot, so there’s no need to worry about them knowing. Of course, it’s always a good idea to be mindful and respectful when saving or sharing others’ content, but technically, it’s totally fine to screenshot Stories without getting caught!