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How to Hide Instagram Chat: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, allowing users to chat privately. However, sometimes you may want to hide Instagram chat for privacy reasons. Whether it’s a personal conversation or sensitive information, Instagram offers ways to keep your chats private.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to hide chats on Instagram and keep your messages secure.

Table of Contents – Quick Links

Can You Hide Instagram Chats?

Instagram does not provide a direct “Hide Chat” option like some messaging apps. However, there are several ways to keep your messages private. You can use Vanish Mode, Archive, Restrict, or Delete Chats to hide conversations effectively.

Let’s go through these methods step by step.

Method 1: Use Vanish Mode to Hide Instagram Chat

Vanish Mode allows messages to disappear after the chat is closed. Here’s how you can use it:

Open the Instagram app on your phone.
Tap the Messenger icon at the top right.
Open the chat you want to hide.
Swipe up on the chat screen to enable Vanish Mode.
Once activated, messages will disappear after the chat is closed.

Note: The other person in the chat will know that Vanish Mode is enabled.

Method 2: Archive Chats to Hide Them

Though Instagram does not have a built-in archive feature for chats, you can use this trick:

Open Instagram and go to Chats.
Tap and hold the conversation you want to hide.
Select Mute Messages and Mute Call Notifications.
Move the chat down the list by starting new conversations.

This won’t delete the chat but will make it less visible.

Method 3: Restrict Someone to Hide Instagram Chat

Restricting a user hides their messages from your inbox. Here’s how:

Open Instagram and go to the profile of the person you want to restrict.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top right.
Select Restrict.
Their messages will now appear in the Message Requests folder instead of your main inbox.

Method 4: Delete Chats to Remove Them Completely

If you want to remove chats permanently, follow these steps:

Open Instagram and go to your Chats.
Tap and hold the chat you want to delete.
Select Delete and confirm.

Warning: This action cannot be undone, and the chat will be removed from your account.

Alternative Ways to Keep Instagram Chats Private

Apart from hiding chats, you can take extra precautions:

Use a strong password to secure your account.
Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
Turn off chat notifications to prevent others from seeing message previews.
Log out when using shared devices to keep your messages private.

Final Thoughts

While Instagram does not offer a direct way to hide Instagram chat, you can use Vanish Mode, Restrict, or Delete options to maintain privacy. Each method serves a different purpose, so choose the one that suits your needs best.

By following these steps, you can keep your Instagram messages secure and out of sight.

Caroline Murphy

Staff Writer. Frequently covers tech, business psychology, social media, startups and digital marketing.