Step-by-Step Visual Walkthrough: How to Turn off Instagram Active Status and Activity Indicators

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Turning off your active status only solves half the problem. If you tap an incoming message, Instagram automatically stamps it with a "Seen" tag, alerting the sender that you read their words and are choosing not to respond. True ghost mode requires pairing your active status shutdown with direct messages privacy controls.

To turn off read receipts for all direct messages:

1. Open Instagram settings and privacy.

1. Navigate back to Messages and story replies.
2. Select Show read receipts.
3. Toggle the switch to Off.

With this switch disengaged, senders see only that their message was delivered. You can open direct messages, read long paragraphs, view attached media, and respond whenever you choose without leaving a digital footprint. If you prefer to mute read receipts for a single overbearing acquaintance rather than the whole platform, tap their name at the top of your private DM thread, select Privacy & safety, and toggle off Read receipts for that chat specifically.