How to Mute Someone on Instagram

What happens when you mute someone

• You still follow them unless you unfollow separately.
• Instagram hides the muted content from your normal view.
• Muting posts and muting stories are separate controls.
• Message muting is different: it usually mutes notifications for a chat, not their feed posts.
• Muting is lighter than restricting or blocking.

Steps on mobile

1. Open Instagram and go to the person's profile.
2. Tap Following.
3. Tap Mute.
4. Turn on Posts to hide their feed posts.
5. Turn on Stories to hide their stories.
6. If Instagram shows options for notes or messages, choose only the ones you want.

How to unmute someone

1. Go back to the person's profile.
2. Tap Following.
3. Tap Mute.
4. Turn off the muted options.

Desktop/web availability

Instagram's full mute controls may be limited on desktop. If you do not see a mute option on web, use the Instagram mobile app.

Common problems

I still follow the person.

That is expected. Muting does not unfollow them. See Does muting someone unfollow them? for the difference.

I muted posts but still see stories.

Posts and stories are separate. Turn on Stories in the mute menu too.

I muted messages but still see posts.

Message muting usually controls chat notifications. Use profile mute settings for posts or stories.

FAQ

Can someone tell if I mute them?

Instagram does not send a notification. They may only notice indirect changes, such as you not reacting to their stories.

Is muting the same as unfollowing?

No. You still follow the person unless you unfollow them separately.

Is muting the same as hiding my story?

No. Muting changes what you see from them. Hiding your story changes what they can see from you.

Can I mute only stories?

Yes. Turn on Stories and leave Posts off.

Official source note

This guide is based on Instagram's official help article about muting and unmuting someone.