Have you ever accidentally opened a message on Instagram but wished you could mark it as unread or unseen? Instagram does not have a built-in “unread” feature for personal accounts, but there are still ways to mark messages as unread or prevent the sender from knowing you’ve seen them. Here are three easy methods to unread and unsee messages on Instagram.
1. Use the “Mark as Unread” Feature (For Business & Creator Accounts)
If you have a Business or Creator account, Instagram provides an option to mark messages as unread. However, this feature only helps you organize messages—it does not remove the “Seen” status for the sender.
How to Mark Messages as Unread:
- Open the Instagram app and go to Direct Messages (DMs).
- Find the chat you want to unread.
- Tap and hold the conversation (Android) or swipe left and tap “More” (iPhone).
- Select “Mark as Unread”.
📌 Note: The sender will still see that you have read the message, but it will be marked as unread on your end for easy access later.
2. Read Messages in Airplane Mode (Prevent “Seen” Status)
One of the best ways to read Instagram messages without the sender knowing is by using Airplane Mode before opening them.
Steps to Read Messages Without “Seen” Status:
- Open Instagram and go to your DMs (but do NOT open the message yet).
- Turn on Airplane Mode on your phone (this will disconnect Wi-Fi and mobile data).
- Open the chat and read the message.
- Close Instagram and log out from the app (Settings > Log Out).
- Turn Airplane Mode off and reconnect to the internet.
- Log back into Instagram.
By following these steps, the “Seen” status won’t appear, and the sender won’t know you read the message.
3. Restrict the Sender (Read Messages Without Notifying Them)
Another way to read messages without marking them as seen is by using Instagram’s Restrict feature. This moves the chat to your Message Requests folder, where you can read messages without sending a “Seen” receipt.
How to Restrict Someone on Instagram:
- Open Instagram and go to the sender’s profile.
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Restrict” and confirm.
Now, when they send a message:
✔️ It will go to your Message Requests folder.
✔️ You can read it without triggering the “Seen” status.
✔️ They won’t know if you’re online or have read their message.
📌 Bonus Tip: You can unrestrict them later if you want to respond.
FAQs
1. Can I unread messages on Instagram?
Yes, but only if you have a Business or Creator account. The “Mark as Unread” feature lets you mark messages as unread for yourself, but it does not remove the “Seen” status for the sender.
2. How can I read Instagram messages without the sender knowing?
You can use these methods to read messages without triggering the “Seen” status:
✔ Airplane Mode Method – Read messages while offline, then log out before reconnecting.
✔ Restrict Method – Move the conversation to “Message Requests” and read it secretly.
3. If I mark a message as unread, will the sender know?
No, marking a message as unread is only for your own organization. The sender will still see the “Seen” status if you have already opened the message.
4. Can I unread messages on a personal Instagram account?
No, personal accounts do not have an “Unread” feature. You can only use Airplane Mode or the Restrict function to read messages privately.
5. What happens if I restrict someone on Instagram?
- Their messages go to Message Requests instead of your main inbox.
- You can read messages without triggering “Seen”.
- They won’t know you restricted them or that you read their messages.
- They can still send messages, but you don’t have to respond.
6. Can I remove the “Seen” status after reading a message?
No, once Instagram marks a message as “Seen,” you can’t remove it. The only way to prevent this is by using Airplane Mode or the Restrict feature before opening the message.
7. Can I delete a message after reading it?
Yes, you can unsend a message by long-pressing it and selecting “Unsend”. However, this only removes the message from both inboxes—it does not unread it.
8. Does turning off Instagram’s Activity Status prevent “Seen” receipts?
No, turning off Activity Status only hides when you were last online but does not affect message read receipts.
Final Thoughts
While Instagram doesn’t allow personal accounts to “unread” messages completely, using Business/Creator account features, Airplane Mode, or the Restrict function can help manage messages effectively. Whether you want to organize unread messages or read them privately, these methods give you more control over your Instagram DMs.
