How to Turn Off Your Active Status on Instagram in 2025

If you want to keep your activity on Instagram private, turning off your active status is a great way to do it. This feature allows others to see when you were last active on the platform, but you can choose to disable it for added privacy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to turn off your active status on Instagram in 2025.

Why Turn Off Active Status?

Turning off your active status can give you more control over your online presence. When active status is on, people can see when you’re online and when you were last active. This can be useful for engaging with friends, but it can also feel intrusive if you value privacy or simply prefer to use Instagram without others knowing when you’re online.

Some reasons you might want to turn off your active status:

• Privacy concerns: Not everyone wants others to know when they’re active on Instagram.
• Reduce distractions: When people see you’re online, they might message you more frequently, leading to distractions.
• Avoid unnecessary attention: Some users simply prefer to use Instagram without receiving attention for being online.

How to Turn Off Active Status on Instagram

Here are the steps to disable your active status on Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram App

To start, open Instagram on your smartphone and log in to your account if you haven’t already.

2. Go to Your Profile

Tap on your profile picture in the bottom right corner to go to your profile page.

3. Access Settings

Once on your profile, tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right corner, then select Settings at the bottom of the menu.

4. Navigate to Privacy Settings

In the Settings menu, tap on Privacy. This will open various privacy-related options for your account.

5. Turn Off Active Status

Under Privacy settings, scroll down and find the Activity Status option. Tap on it, and you will see the option to Show Activity Status. Toggle this option off to stop others from seeing when you’re active.

6. Confirm Your Settings

Once you toggle the setting off, your active status will be hidden from others, and you will no longer be visible as “active now” or “last seen” in Instagram direct messages.

What Happens After Turning Off Active Status?

Once you turn off your active status:

• Others won’t see when you’re online: Your friends and followers won’t be able to see when you’re active or the last time you were active.
• You won’t see others’ activity: Similarly, you won’t be able to see when other users are active either. Instagram treats this setting as a mutual privacy feature — if you hide your activity, you also won’t see others’ activity.

Keep in mind that turning off your active status won’t stop people from seeing your posts, stories, or messages — it just hides your “active” status.

Can You Turn Off Active Status for Specific People?

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t allow you to turn off your active status for specific people. The setting is universal for everyone on the platform. However, you can use Instagram Direct to control who can message you and customize notifications.

Alternatives for Managing Your Privacy on Instagram

If you want more control over your Instagram privacy, here are some additional features you can use:

• Make Your Account Private: If you want to control who can see your posts and stories, making your account private is a great option. Only people you approve can follow you and view your content.
• Limit Who Can See Your Stories: You can choose to hide your Instagram stories from specific people. Simply go to your story settings and select who can view your stories.
• Restrict Users: If you don’t want someone to interact with you but still want to keep them as a follower, you can restrict them. This way, they can still see your posts but won’t be able to see when you’re active.

Conclusion

Turning off your active status on Instagram is a simple way to enhance your privacy and keep your online activity more private. Whether you’re trying to reduce distractions or simply want to enjoy Instagram without the pressure of appearing “online,” this feature gives you more control over your experience. If you need more tips on using Instagram and other social media platforms, visit Zatpo.com for expert advice on digital privacy and online strategies.