How to see someones instagram story without following them

If you've avoided downloading Instagram for this long, but you've heard about a juicy Instagram Story you just can't miss, we've got you covered.

Instagram annoyingly makes it so you have to be logged into an account to view someone's Instagram Story, but there are some internet tools that help you work around that.

There are many websites like Instadp and InstaStories that specialize in helping users view Instagram Stories anonymously. Google search "instagram story viewer" on any browser and you will have a bunch of websites to choose from.

How to see someones instagram story without following them

InstaDP allows you to view Instagram Stories without logging in. Credit: screenshot:instadp

There are some catches though: you can only view the Stories of public Instagram accounts, and you can only view them within 24 hours of the time they were posted. You also can't view Stories that were posted to Close Friends.

While these websites are often loaded up with sketchy ads, they are simple to use, and work the same way. Just type the username of the account whose Story you want to view into the website's search bar and press enter. The website will display all the Stories the account currently has up. If the account doesn't have any Stories up, it will just display the profile of the account with the "Stories" tab blank.

We won't ask why you're trying to view someone's Story anonymously, but we do wish you the best of luck in your creeping. For more creeping tips and tricks, check article on the preferred methods of extreme Instagram lurkers.

Instagram Stories, Reels, IGTVs, and more Insta stuff have now become a crucial part of our lives. It’s always the ‘Gram’ time for us to post about our lives. This also involves the urge to see what others are up to. Also Read - Instagram is testing a new feature called 'Repost,' will get its own tab for followers to see

But, what if we want to watch this (mostly via Stories) without them knowing that we saw it? Right now, this is the most likely situation and a frequently-asked question. And the answer is in the form of simple workarounds you can follow to do the deed. Hence, keep on reading to watch people’s Instagram Stories without them finding out. Also Read - Twitter brings Instagram, Snapchat sharing to Android app, starts testing WhatsApp sharing in India

How to watch Instagram Stories without others knowing?

Method 1

This is the simplest hack you can use to view someone’s Instagram Story without them knowing. All you have to do is, tap on the Story next-in-line instead of the one you want to watch secretly. Also Read - How to get your Instagram account verified: A step-by-step guide

Now, tap on the story you are on to pause. Once, this has happened, you have to swipe left to reach the story you wanted to view. This needs to done slowly. Following this, you will reach the middle point of both the Instagram Stories from where you can get a glance at the story you intended to watch without registering your name in the viewers’ list.

Just make sure you don’t swipe hastily for it will tell them that you have viewed their story. Another thing to keep in mind is that this hack only gives you a peek at the story.

Method 2

Another simple method to view people’s Insta Stories without letting them know is by taking the help of the Airplane mode. All you have to do is, open the Instagram app on your Android or iOS phone. Wait a few seconds for the Stories to load.

Once this happens, switch on the Airplane mode. Now, head back to the app and open the Instagram Stories you need to watch. This way, the person, whose story you watched, won’t know that you saw it.

Method 3

You can also anonymously view people’s Instagram Stories via the web. For this, you just need to install the ‘Chrome IG Story‘ Chrome Extension and start viewing the stories without leaving behind a view.

Just download the extension, open Instagram’s web version, and log in with your credentials. Once this is done, you can start viewing people’s Instagram Stories without them knowing.

How to see someones instagram story without following them

StorySaver site

You can also visit the StorySaver.net website to view people’s stories anonymously. Just enter the person’s Instagram ID you want to keep an eye on and then tap on the search icon. The person’s stories will be displayed, which you can view and even download.

Method 4

This method involves apps. On iOS, you can download the Repost Stories app from the App Store. Once downloaded, log into your Instagram account and search for the person whose story you want to view (in the search bar, of course).

How to see someones instagram story without following them

Repost Stories app

Now, you will find a folder of posts and stories the concerned person has posted in the last 24 hours. You can select the folder and view the story one by one without the person knowing. You can further choose to repost or save the stories if you want.

On Android, you can go for the BlindStory app. Just install it and log into your Instagram account. Now, you will see an option to search for various profiles. Just look for the person whose story you want to view and you will be able to see the Stories and the Story highlights there. You can tap on the Stories to view them without them knowing.

How to see someones instagram story without following them

BlindStory app

Before you start heading to your Instagram to use the tried-and-tested hacks we mentioned, you should note that these workarounds are mainly for fun and shouldn’t become a threat to anyone’s security and privacy.



  • Instagram
  • Instagram Stories


How can I see someones Instagram stories without following them?

In the search bar, type the “username” or the “person's first and last name,” and press “Enter” or click the “magnifying glass” on the right. Choose the profile you want to view. You'll see the profile's stories below the username. Scan through them to find the one you're interested in, or view all of them.

Can someone see that I viewed their Instagram story if I don't follow them?

'' The answer is no, you can see who has viewed our story, but not how often.