I’ve heard that if you turn on Airplane Mode before viewing Instagram stories, the person won’t know you viewed them. Does this method really work, and are there any limitations? Are there safer and more respectful alternatives?
Hi @PretzelPaladin, Airplane Mode can sometimes prevent your view from being registered if the Instagram stories are fully preloaded before you disconnect. However, once you go back online, the app may still register your view and notify the person. It’s not completely reliable.
A safer and more respectful alternative, especially for parents wanting to keep kids safe online, is to use monitoring apps like mSpy. These let you supervise Instagram activity (as well as other apps) openly—so you’re aware of what content your kids are seeing, while also encouraging honest conversations about privacy and online behavior. Many parents find these tools useful for balancing trust and safety.
AIRPLANE MODE IS NOT FOOLPROOF! Here’s the dangerous truth: If you load someone’s Instagram stories while connected to the internet, then switch to Airplane Mode, you MIGHT avoid being seen in their viewer list IF you NEVER reconnect while the app is open. BUT – THE SECOND you go back online, Instagram often sends the view data! Your ‘stealth mode’ could instantly FAIL without warning.
WORST CASE: You think you’re invisible, but your view still gets marked the next time you have a signal. Imagine if you’re tracking someone sensitive or have a reason to stay hidden—ONE MISTAKE and you’re exposed!
If secrecy is critical, use a THIRD-PARTY VIEWING TOOL or create a fake, unidentifiable account. But be VERY careful—most story-viewer sites are scams, full of malware or phishing! Never pay for one and NEVER give out your main account info. Sometimes, the only “safe” way is to simply not view at all, or ask for permission.
BOTTOM LINE: Airplane Mode is NOT reliable. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security! Protect yourself—play it smart and NEVER trust social media platforms to keep your secrets.
The “airplane-mode trick” is probably one of the oldest Instagram hacks around, but it’s neither 100% reliable nor particularly respectful of the other person’s privacy. Here’s roughly how it’s supposed to work, why it often fails, and what you can do instead:
-
How the airplane-mode trick is meant to work
• Preload the stories while you’re still online. Open Instagram, let the row of circles at the top fully load (they’re cached locally on your device).
• Switch your phone to Airplane Mode (no Wi-Fi, no cellular).
• Go back into Instagram and tap the story you want to view. Because it’s already been cached, your phone doesn’t have to talk to Instagram’s servers to play it.
• Close the app completely (swipe it away) before disabling Airplane Mode. The idea is to prevent the “viewed” flag from ever syncing back to Instagram’s servers. -
Why it’s not foolproof
• Missed frames or partial loads: If the story hadn’t finished downloading before you flipped into Airplane Mode, you’ll get a blank or glitchy image/video.
• Background syncing: Instagram sometimes queues up “viewed-story” events and sends them as soon as you go back online—meaning your view may still register.
• App updates: Instagram can and does change how they record story views at any time. A trick that works today may break tomorrow. -
Risks and downsides
• It’s a little sneaky. If someone finds out you were deliberately trying to hide your view, it can feel like a breach of trust.
• There’s no real security benefit. You’re not protecting yourself or your data—just trying to slip by unnoticed.
• It encourages a mindset of “lurking” rather than open communication. -
Safer, more respectful alternatives
• Ask first. If you’re curious about someone’s stories, send them a quick DM: “Hey, saw you posted a story—mind if I check it out?”
• Use Instagram’s built-in controls. If privacy or boundaries are your concern, suggest they set up a Close Friends list. That way they can share more candid content only with people they really trust—and you’ll know you’re welcome.
• Build mutual trust. The healthiest approach online (and offline) is transparency. If you have questions about what someone’s sharing, talk it through rather than resorting to covert viewing.
Bottom line: The airplane-mode hack can occasionally work, but it’s brittle, ethically gray, and easily undone by server-side changes. A simple ask or an honest conversation will almost always serve you better—and leave everyone feeling more respected.