How to check if someone is on instagram
Here's how to See Who Is Online on Instagram
The Instagram app for iPhone has finally made it possible to see who all are online in one place itself. Whereas earlier, a greet dot used to appear next to the profile picture of a friend in the Direct inbox or in the friend list while sharing a post from your feed. Allowing users to quickly see who is online on Instagram is certainly is a great addition. This will help them easily find when their friends are online and available to chat. That said, there are certain restrictions that the platform imposes to protect users’ privacy.
Table of Contents
Can I see who’s online on Instagram?
You may or may not, depending on the situation. Here are a few things to note:
- You can only see the online status of people who follow you or people who have sent you a direct message (DM).
- One cannot know if someone is online on Instagram when they have turned off the activity status.
- You can’t see when someone was last active or are currently active if your activity status is off.
Now let’s check how to view the list of people who are online on Instagram all in one place. You can do so from within the Instagram app and without using any third-party tools.
How to check who is online on Instagram
- Make sure you’re running the latest version of the Instagram app.
- Turn on your Activity status if it isn’t already. To do so, go to Settings > Privacy > Activity status and turn on ‘Show activity status’.
- Go to the Home tab and tap the ‘Messenger icon’ at the top-right corner.
- Tap the “Active” tab in the Direct Messages section.
- Here you can see all the people who are active now on Instagram.
NOTE: The above steps are applicable to the iPhone. Unfortunately, Instagram for Android currently doesn’t show the list of active users.
ALSO READ: How to turn off Message Requests on Instagram
How to know if someone is online on Instagram
Are you on Android or haven’t got the ‘Active’ feature yet in Instagram Messenger? Then follow the steps below to find when someone is online on Instagram.
- Go to the Search tab and search for the particular person’s name or username.
- Tap the name to view their profile.
- On the person’s profile page, tap the ‘Message’ button.
- Look for the online status at the top-left, right under the person’s profile name.
- If the status says ‘Active now’, it means that person is online right now.
Note that you won’t be able to see the online status if a certain individual has hidden their activity status.
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Can I see when someone was last active on Instagram?
Yes, you can easily check when a friend was last active on Instagram without messaging them. For this, the person must be following you and their activity status should be visible to others. Also, the user whose last active status you want to see shouldn’t have a private account.
To see the last time someone was active on Instagram, go to their profile and tap the ‘Message’ option.
Now check the last active time under the follower’s name at the upper-left. The last active status should read something like “Active 1h ago”.
ALSO READ: How to check the time a message was sent on Instagram
Tags: InstagramMessengerSocial MediaTips
How To Tell When Someone was Last Active on Instagram
Instagram is one of the few social networks that notifies people when you were last seen on the app. It also shows when you’re online, when you’re typing, and so on. You can see when your friends were last on Instagram and they can see when you were last there too. Depending on your security preferences, this may be a blessing or a drawback to the Instagram application.
There are several reasons you may want to see the ‘Last Active’ status on another person’s profile. It’s a feature that lets you know if someone is available for a message or likely to respond. If you’d like to claim an inactive Instagram username, this status can provide you much-needed insight into the account.
What is Last Active on Instagram?
‘Last active’ falls along the lines of read receipts for privacy and ease of communication. A built-in feature; users can have insight into other’s messaging and online activities.
With the ‘last active’ status, you can see what friends are online, when they were last online and see if they uploaded anything new.
Last Seen on Instagram
You can only see the last seen status on accounts of:
- People who follow you
- People who you’ve had direct messages with
If you don’t meet these criteria, you won’t be able to see when someone was last online.
The active status will show up in a few different ways.
If you see a green dot next to their username and profile: they are online at that moment. You can also use the Instagram messaging service to get information for when an account or user was last online.
Only people you are following can see this data. It’s a small distinction but an important one as it allows a semblance of control over who sees what.
How to See ‘Last Seen’ on Instagram
To see other users’ last active status follow these instructions:
Open Instagram and select the paper airplane icon in the top right to access your Inbox.
Check beside each message thread to see when the person you messaged was last on Instagram.
This status isn’t in real-time but is updated every few minutes. So if it says someone was last online 6 minutes ago, it could be anything from 5 to 10 minutes, but the time given is close.
Turn off Last Seen in Instagram
If you’d like to hide your active status on Instagram you can. Those visiting your DMs or profile will be unable to see the key indicators we’ve discussed by turning your active status off.
This seems to be a mechanism to keep you from lurking and seeing what others are up to without having to reveal anything yourself. I think this is a fair system and encourages people to be as open as they can be while still offering the opportunity to be private when necessary.
To turn off Last Seen, do this:
Open Instagram and tap on the profile icon in the lower right-hand corner
Tap the three vertical lines in the top right-hand corner
Tap on ‘Settings’ then ‘Privacy’
Tap on the option labeled ‘Activity Status’
Toggle ‘Show Activity Status’ to off.
By doing this, you’ll also turn off your ability to see others’ last active status as well. If there’s someone, in particular, you’d rather hide this information from you can use Instagram’s blocking option.
Even if you’ve had direct messages in the past, they won’t be able to see your profile information including your last seen status.
Why Can’t I See Someone’s Last Active Status?
If you’ve previously communicated with or followed someone on Instagram, yet you aren’t able to see their last seen status, there may be a few reasons.
- The person you’re interested in may not be following you – as we can only see the status for those who we’re following, the same applies to others.
- You’ve never had a private conversation with them – If you’re not followed by someone and you’ve never had a DM conversation with them, you won’t be able to see this information.
- They’ve turned their last active status off – Assuming you meet the above-listed criteria if you’re still unable to see their status, it’s likely because they have it turned off.
- The user has blocked you – This one is simple to spot because you will no longer see their Instagram profile either.
Understanding the reason behind your inability to view the last seen status of an account will provide you insight into how to fix it. You can always ask the person you’re communicating with if they’ve turned the status off.
Some users have explained issues after updates. It’s not unheard of that bugs will affect this feature.
If this is the case you can always wait it out or contact Instagram support.
Last Seen & Privacy
Some Instagram users are concerned about privacy while others enjoy the feature. The status does have some benefits.
First, Instagram only shows the last seen status to people you follow or direct message, and no one else. Your random followers won’t be able to see it unless you follow them back. If you don’t want individuals to see when you’re online, don’t follow them.
Second, it allays some of the anxiety that comes with social media. Namely that of the delayed response. There are a lot of Instagram users out there who will begin to panic or become angry if you don’t respond to a DM or messages within 30 seconds. Showing them that you haven’t been online since yesterday is the ideal way to avoid this awkwardness.
Third, if you use Instagram for business or promotion, responding quickly is important there too. Having it plain to see that you haven’t been online all day will help manage the expectations of anyone who wants to talk to you without causing them to think you’re ignoring them.
There is of course a case for letting out TMI by allowing Instagram to tell the people you follow when you were online. Compared to the information we willingly release about our whereabouts and activities on social networks and the fact you can control who sees it negates a lot of this. Plus, you can disable it whenever you want a little alone time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell if someone turned off their activity status?
Of course, it would be a privacy violation if Instagram told you someone turned off their activity status so the company has chosen not to notify other users when someone takes advantage of the option. If you’re curious about whether someone you’re following has theirs off all you need to do is send them a message.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eWhile it isn’t foolproof, if your friends’ status isn’t showing they’re online, go ahead and send them a message. If the ‘Seen’ option appears, they’re online. This is about the only way to know for sure if someone is unwilling to disclose their online activities.
How accurate is Instagram’s activity status?
Instagram’s activity status is similar to GPS and other online features that help you track other people’s activity. Meaning, it is flawed in a sense. For example, some users receive Snapchat’s u0022someone is typingu0022 notification when their friend has only opened the message. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe reason for these irregularities on Snapchat is because the app is designed to pick up on certain characteristics and behaviors that assume you’re online. So, a friend may have opened Instagram, then switched to another app or locked their phone and put it in their pocket which means they aren’t technically active on the app. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOverall, the activity status on Instagram appears to be relatively accurate, but there is always room for error.
How to check if someone else is using your Instagram account
Instagram is a giant of the social network and one of the most transparent players in the game. In addition, it has simple menus on both mobile and web platforms. This way, it won't take more than a few minutes to find out if someone has logged into your account, delete them, and reset their password.
How to see last active usage
Seeing last active logins is a walk in the park. Instagram allows you to find all the necessary information to enter the application and on the official website. You don't have to jump through hoops or request and upload profile data to access this information.
In the following sections, we'll look at options for both mobile and web.
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With iPhone or Android
This section combines the Android and iPhone platforms, since the differences in the two versions of the application are insignificant. Here's how to view recent active uses on Instagram using the mobile app. Please note that we have used an Android phone in this guide.
Step 1
Launch the Instagram app on your device. Sign in if necessary. If not, you can move on to the second step.
Step 2
You must then click the down arrow next to the entry you want to delete.
Instagram will show you the approximate location, login time and date, and platform.
Step 3
Now click on the Sign Out button below the entry. Instagram should display a logout message on the screen.
Step 4
Click OK to confirm. You must repeat the process for all entries in the list that you know or suspect have been made by someone else. Repeat this process as many times as needed. Remove any entries that look suspicious.
Security Precautions
Once you've completed the steps above, it's time to secure your account.
Change password
In this section, we'll look at changing your password to a stronger one. First, we will look at the mobile version of the application.
Step 1
Launch the app on your phone and go to your profile.
Step 2
Click on the icon with three horizontal lines (menu).
Step 3
Select the settings icon at the bottom of the menu.
Step 4
Then click the Security tab and then Password.
Step 5
Enter your current password in the top text box. After that, enter a new one and enter it again.
STEP 6
Click the checkmark icon to save your changes.
Web version
Here's how to change your password through the website:
Step 1
Launch your browser and go to the official website of Instagram.
Step 2
Click your profile and then the settings gear.
Step 3
Select Change Password from the pop-up menu.
Step 4
Enter your old password and enter your new one in the required fields.
Step 5
Click the Change Password button.
Run the antivirus
Finally, you must run the antivirus to check your device or devices. Perform a thorough scan to see if your system is free of viruses or other malware. It is recommended to leave the antivirus active in the background for real-time protection.
Your account is safe
The methods outlined in this article should help you keep your Instagram intact or regain sovereignty over it if it is hacked.
Did you find anything suspicious on your login list? Have you changed your password and activated your antivirus? Let us know in the comments below.
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Recording tags: #Instagram
Similar entries
How to understand that someone is reading your correspondence
Is someone else using your accounts? In almost all services, this can be checked in a couple of clicks.
We have collected instructions for the most popular social networks, mail services and instant messengers. They will be useful to those who doubt the confidentiality of their correspondence, and those who are just curious.
A Google account offers two security options. You can view a list of recently used devices for the last 28 days. If a device seems unfamiliar to you, you can block access to your account for it.
How to find: Google Account > Security & Sign In > Recently Used Devices
It is also possible to see all security warnings and a list of actions related to the safety of your data (for example, attempts to change your password or account recovery settings) . The service allows you to see the IP address, time, location and browser associated with each activity.
How to find: Google Account > Security & Sign In > Recent Events
Yandex
The Russian service also allows you to track the history of logins to your account in detail.
There is a place, time, provider, IP address, and even the protocol by which you logged in. You can also see the main actions, such as changing the password. If something confuses you, you can click the “This is not me” button, the service will offer to change the password or enable two-factor authentication.
How to find:
Account Management > Login History
Account Management > Activity History
Another Yandex mail feature is the visitor log. It generally shows everything that happened with your mailbox: which letters came in, which ones were opened or marked as unread.
How to find: Mail page > All settings (gear) > Security > Visitor log
Mail.Ru Mail
A detailed mail usage report can be found in the mail settings. Everything is here: IP addresses, devices and actions with your letters.
How to find: Account > Password and security > Mailbox usage information and the browsers through which it happened.
If someone gets your password, you can end all sessions at once.
How to find it: Settings > Security > Show activity history
In the settings of the desktop version, the social network will show you all devices, browsers, IP addresses, as well as login coordinates for the last year. Sessions on suspicious devices can be terminated.
How to find: Settings > Security and login > Where you entered from
Odnoklassniki
Odnoklassniki is ready to share with you the history of logins to your account for the last 30 days. There are few details: time, city and IP address. In case of suspicious activity, you can close all connections except the current one.
How to find: Change settings > Browsing history
The social network will show you all logins since registration, as well as logouts, password changes and privacy level changes.
But whether these entrances belong to you, you won’t be able to find out. Therefore, in the event of an attack of paranoia, Instagram will not be able to help you.
How to find: Desktop profile page > Settings > Privacy and security > Account details > Activity > Logins
Viber
it was last used. Everything else can be easily turned off.
How to find: Mobile app > Settings > Account > Computers and tablets
Telegram
The messenger will show all active sessions in two clicks - those devices on which you logged into your account and did not log out. You can interrupt one suspicious session, or all but the current one.
How to find: Settings > Privacy and security > Show all sessions
Skype
We did not find anything similar to the list of active devices in Skype. It seems that this service does not allow you to track if someone else is reading your correspondence.
