Instagram Stories are photos or videos that you share with your followers or a few friends. These Stories are only visible for 24 hours before they disappear. You can choose who can see your Stories: everyone (public), just your followers, or a small group of close friends. When someone looks at your Story, you can see who viewed it, so it’s hard to view Stories without being noticed.
Sometimes, people want to secretly watch Instagram Stories without others finding out. They might be curious, want to keep things private, or just want to be discreet about it. This article will explain different ways to view Instagram Stories anonymously.
How to View Instagram Stories Anonymously
Viewing Instagram Stories anonymously can be achieved through various methods. Here are some effective ways to do it.
1. Create a Secondary Account
A simple way to view someone’s Instagram story without them knowing is to create a new Instagram account with a different name. With this new account, you can watch public stories and possibly private ones if they accept your follow request.
- Use a New Email: When you sign up, use a new email address that isn’t linked to any of your other social media accounts. This way, you won’t be suggested to people you know.
- Employ a VPN or Mobile Data: Use a VPN or mobile data when using this account to avoid being noticed, especially if you often use the same Wi-Fi as your main account.
2. Use Airplane Mode
One simple way is to use Airplane Mode to watch Instagram stories.
- Load Instagram Stories: Open the Instagram app and let the desired stories load.
- Activate Airplane Mode: Switch on Airplane Mode to turn off internet connectivity.
- View Stories: Return to Instagram and watch the stories. Since you’re offline, Instagram won’t notify the user that you’ve viewed their story.
- Exit Safely: Close the Instagram app before turning off Airplane Mode to ensure your activity remains hidden.
This way works well for watching a couple of Stories, but it’s a bit tricky if you’re watching lots of them. Make sure all the Stories have loaded before you turn on airplane mode, or you might not see everything.
3. Leverage Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps claim to let you look at Instagram stories without anyone knowing. But be careful using them because you might accidentally share your private info or break Instagram’s rules.
- Research Thoroughly: Look into the app, read reviews, and understand potential risks. Make sure to keep yourself safe when you’re online.
- Recommended Tools: Some tools for viewing Instagram stories anonymously include:
- Secretly Story Viewer
- Insta Stories Viewer
- InsCognito
4. Use the Slide and View Method
Another discreet method is to view Instagram stories by sliding from adjacent stories.
- Select a Neighboring Story: Click on a story next to the one you wish to view.
- Lightly Swipe: Lightly hold and swipe to view the first frame of the next account’s story without fully clicking on it. This allows you to see a glimpse without appearing on the “Seen by” list.
- Reverse Swipe: You can also swipe back to view the last frame of the previous account’s story. Note that this doesn’t allow you to view the middle frames.
5. Use Instagram’s Close Friends Feature
If someone has added you as a Close Friend, you can view their stories with some level of anonymity.
- Identify Close Friends Stories: Look for the green star icon or green ring around the profile picture indicating Close Friends content.
- View Anonymously: While the user will be notified that a “Close Friend” viewed their story, your specific username won’t be displayed.
6. Use Instagram Story Viewer Websites
Instagram Story Viewer websites like InstaNavigator allow you to view stories without logging into Instagram.
- Access Website: Visit InstaNavigator or a similar site.
- Enter Username: Type the Instagram username of the account whose stories you wish to view.
- Watch Anonymously: The site will fetch the stories, letting you view them without the user being notified.
7. Watch Stories Through Your Friend’s Account
Lastly, a straightforward method involves using a friend’s account to view Instagram stories.
- Get Permission: Ask a friend if you can see the stories on their account.
- Stay Anonymous: The story view will be logged under your friend’s name, keeping your identity hidden.
When you watch stories through a friend’s account, always respect their trust and privacy. This method is effective but should be used responsibly and ethically.
Instagram’s Policies on Anonymous Viewing
Instagram doesn’t let you secretly watch someone’s stories without them knowing. If you try to use other apps or tricks to get around this, Instagram might suspend your account or take other actions against you.
Wrap Up
Knowing how to view Instagram stories anonymously can be useful for various reasons. Whether you’re using a new account, leveraging airplane mode, third-party apps, or trusted websites, each method has its own advantages and precautions. Always prioritize privacy and respect for others while using these techniques.
Read Also: How To See Hidden Mentions On Instagram Story
