People use Instagram stories as an entertaining way to share their current experiences with others. Before watching Instagram Stories, you should be aware that the user who posted the story can see who viewed it.

But there are times when you might want to watch someone’s story without revealing your identity. So, it is important to know how to see Instagram stories anonymously.

This blog contains various methods for viewing stories anonymously. It also explains Instagram story viewers alongside their features.

🔑Key Highlights
  • Your story’s visibility depends on whether your account is public or private.
  • Instagram offers different options to control who views your stories.
  • Always remember to respect other users’ privacy.
  • You can use different methods to view Instagram stories anonymously.
  • Instagram Story Viewer tools are the best method to view Instagram stories anonymously.

Who Can See Your Instagram Story?

Who Can See Your Instagram Story

Not all people can view your Insta stories. Who can see your Instagram stories depends on your account settings and story settings.

There are two types of primary account settings:

  • Public Account: 🌐 This setting allows anyone to view your stories. They don’t need to follow you.
  • Private Account: 🔒 Only followers can see stories in private accounts.

Instagram provides many settings for stories. These settings restrict who can see your story.

You can choose the settings that suit you best from this list:

  • Everyone: This setting allows everyone to see your story. It only works for a public account. Nonfollowers can’t see your story in a private account.
  • My Followers: If you have set your story setting to my followers, then only your followers can see it.
  • Close Friends: This option is available when you upload a story. If you select this option, only people you have added to the close friends list will see your story.

Can You See Who Views Your Instagram Story?

Yes, Instagram allows you to see who views your stories.

When you upload a story, you can see a list of Instagram usernames that watched it. This list is only visible to you, not to other users. This list is not visible on the web browser version but only on the mobile app 📱 or the Windows app 💻.

However, you cannot see if someone screenshots or records your story. If someone watches your story using an anonymous Instagram story viewer, their name won’t appear.

As we know, Insta stories stay visible for only 24 hours. We can add stories to highlights to make it last longer. However, we can’t know if someone has seen the highlights. The visibility setting for highlights will be the same as the story setting.

How to See Who Views Your Instagram Story?

You can easily see who views your Instagram story. Instagram has a built-in feature that lets you see the list of viewers. To check who views your Insta story, follow these steps:

  1. Open Instagram
  2. Tap on your active story at the top.
  3. Swipe up to see the list of usernames who viewed it.

You can only see this list when your story is live. Insta stories stay live for 24 hours.

Using the archive option, you can check who has seen your story up to 48 hours after posting it. Follow these steps to see who’s seen your story after the story is not live:

  1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
  2. Tap Menu in the top right.
  3. Select Archive.
  4. Scroll to the story you want to see viewer info on.
  5. Open the story and swipe up to see the list of users who viewed it.
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Understanding Instagram Story Viewer Tools

Instagram story viewer tools allow users to watch Instagram stories anonymously. These tools help people view IG stories without exposing their accounts.

Most of them only work for public accounts, but Some Instagram viewer Tools also serve as private account viewers. Users can use these tools to check the posts and stories of private accounts without following them.

These tools are most helpful to people who want to watch things secretly.

Features of Instagram Story Viewer

Features of Instagram Story Viewer

1. Anonymous Viewing

Users can see other stories through anonymous viewing tools, which prevent detection in the list of viewers.

These tools enable users to benefit from complete anonymity and view Instagram highlights and reels. Several users rely on this tool because anonymous viewing offers them privacy and helps them avoid unpleasant circumstances.

2. No Login Required

The majority of Instagram viewer tools operate without requesting access to your Instagram username or password. Using this process protects your account information from potential security risks.

These tools provide protected access because they do not require login credentials. You only need the user name or past the link of the profile you wish to check.

3. Download Stories

They can be used for both viewing and downloading of others stories without them knowing. Many Instagram viewer tools are equipped with functions for downloading Instagram stories.

This function work as photos downloader and allows to save videos and other content from Instagram. It also works as an Instagram highlights viewer.

4. Profile Viewer Option

A few Instagram Story Viewers also provide profile viewing functions. These features allow users to access basic information about other profile holders, including bio content, follower numbers, and posts.

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How to See Instagram Story Anonymously?

As we already discussed, if you see someone’s story on Instagram, your name will appear on the viewer list.

However, there are different ways to view Instagram stories anonymously. Some are quick tricks, while others involve using tools made for anonymous viewing. Each method has its pros and cons, depending on how much privacy you want.

Follow these methods if you want to view Instagram stories anonymously:

1. Use Airplane Mode

This approach starts by putting your Android device or iPhone into Airplane mode. This method enables you to review preloaded stories without appearing on the person’s view list.

To use this method, follow these steps:

  • Open Instagram and let the stories load.
  • Turn on Airplane Mode.
  • Go back to Instagram and view the stories.
  • Exit the app thoroughly before turning off Airplane Mode.

This stops Instagram from recording that you viewed it. It’s simple but not always reliable.

2. Create an Anonymous Account

Another method is to use a second or fake Instagram profile. You can view stories on all public accounts. For private accounts, you need to follow them.

This approach avoids using your main account and keeps your identity hidden. However, it’s not genuinely anonymous since your second profile still shows up in the viewer list.

3. Use Third-Party Tools

These tools are made specifically for anonymous Instagram story viewing. To use them, you just enter the Instagram username of the account you want to view the story from.

Here is how to use these tools:

  • Visit a trusted Instagram story viewer anonymous tool.
  • Enter the Instagram username of the public profile.
  • Browse and view their Insta stories, highlights, or posts.
  • Click to download stories or videos if needed.

Anonymous Instagram stories viewer tools offer complete anonymity and are easy to use. Just search for a trusted one. Avoid tools requiring login credentials

4. The Half-Swipe Trick

Instagram only records views after you completely open a story during your scrolling session. Performing the half-swipe trick allows you to glance at the next user’s story. Correct implementation of this method will prevent Instagram from recording it as viewed.

The following steps will help you use this trick:

  • Open Instagram and tap on the story before or after the one you want to see.
  • Gently swipe left or right to preview the following story.
  • Continue holding your finger instead of letting it go completely.
  • Return to the initial story after you’ve seen enough.

The half-swipe trick is risky and not foolproof. It doesn’t work for videos, and if there are multiple stories, you can only view the first story.

Block the User after Viewing

Blocking the user after viewing their story is a quick way to hide your identity. It’s not truly anonymous, but it can remove your name from the Instagram stories viewer list. When you block someone, they lose access to all interactions with you.

So, if you watch a story and then block the person right after, your name usually disappears from their viewer list.

To use this method, follow these steps:

  • Open the story you want to view.
  • Immediately go to the user’s Instagram profile.
  • Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
  • Select Block.
  • After 24 hours (when the story disappears), unblock them.

This method doesn’t offer complete anonymity. The person might notice you blocked them, which could lead to awkward questions.

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Advantages of Viewing Instagram Story Anonymously

  • Protects Your Privacy: You can watch someone’s story without letting them know. It helps keep your online activity private and stress-free.
  • Avoids Unwanted Attention: Sometimes, you just want to see what someone’s up to without starting a conversation. Anonymous viewing helps you avoid awkward follow-ups or reactions.
  • Great for Quiet Checking: Whether it’s an ex, a crush, or a competitor, you can quietly keep up without making it obvious. No need to worry about revealing your identity.
  • No Social Pressure: You’re not forced to interact, reply, or explain why you viewed their story. It gives you the freedom to just watch and move on.
  • Perfect for Research: If you’re studying trends, keeping up with competitors, or monitoring public accounts, anonymous viewing helps you do it unnoticed.
  • Avoids Being Misunderstood: Viewing Instagram stories can sometimes send the wrong message. Doing it anonymously avoids creating confusion or false assumptions.
  • Ideal for Sensitive Situations: If you’re checking on someone during a difficult time or situation, anonymous viewing lets you do so respectfully and without pressure.

Conclusion

Viewing Instagram stories anonymously can be a great way to stay private and updated. Also, anonymously helps you avoid attention and protect your identity.

There are many methods for viewing Instagram stories anonymously, but Instagram doesn’t approve any of them. You can use tricks like Airplane Mode, creating an anonymous account, or IG story viewer tools. Next time you want to watch stories anonymously, Just choose the method that fits your needs.

However, always remember to respect other users’ privacy and don’t use this method for illegal activity.

FAQs

Will A Person Know I Have Watched Their Instagram Stories When I Am Not Their Follower?

Your profile name becomes visible to the Instagram user even though you haven’t followed them. Your name gets displayed on the viewer list even though you haven’t subscribed to the account.

Are there risks in using third-party Instagram story viewers?

Yes, some tools may not be secure and could compromise your privacy or account security. Always use trusted, safe tools to ensure protection.

Can I Look at Instagram Stories without an Account?

Yes, you can view Instagram stories without an account. However, this feature works only for public profiles and with the help of third-party Instagram story viewer tools.

Is It Possible for Someone to know How many times I Viewed Their Instagram Story?

The number of times you viewed their Instagram story is not visible to anyone. The number of times a story is viewed is not tracked by Instagram. Only the fact that you watched their content is visible.

Is there a way to unsee an Instagram story?

No, Instagram doesn’t provide features to unsee a story once you’ve viewed it. However, immediately blocking the person or deactivating your account temporarily after viewing a story removes your name from the viewer list.

Prasanta Raut

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.

Prasanta, founder and CEO of Dialaxy, is redefining SaaS with creativity and dedication. Focused on simplifying sales and support, he drives innovation to deliver exceptional value and shape a new era of business excellence.