How to See Last Active on Instagram

Last Updated: October 25, 2022

This wikiHow will show you how to find out when someone you've been chatting with on Instagram was last active on the app. As long as they haven't disabled the "Activity Status" feature in their profiles, you can easily find their last active time by viewing your Direct Messages inbox.

Things You Should Know

Check your Direct Messages inbox to see when someone was last active.
Their Last Active status will appear next to their name.
Manage your own activity status using the app or a computer in "Settings > Privacy".

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Seeing Someone's Last Active Time

1
Open Instagram. This app icon looks like a camera icon over a rainbow background that you can find on your Home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
- Since you can't access your Direct Messages on a computer natively, you'll have to use the mobile app.
- You can only view the Last Active status of someone who has not disabled "Show Activity Status" in their Instagram profiles. You also must have had at least one Direct Message exchange in which both parties sent at least one message.
2
Tap the airplane icon. You'll see this icon in the top right corner, and you'll be redirected to your Direct Messages inbox.

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3
Scroll through your messages. Next to each person's profile picture, you'll see when that person was last active.
- For example, if Steve Smith was last week, you'll see Active a week ago next to his profile picture.^{[1]
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- If someone you follow also follows you, you'll see a green dot in their profile icon around Instagram when they are active. This applies if you haven't messaged them.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Managing Your Own Activity Status on the Mobile App

1
Open Instagram. This app icon looks like a camera icon over a rainbow background that you can find on your Home screen, in the app drawer, or by searching.
2
Tap the profile icon
in the bottom right corner of your screen. This will take you to your profile page.
3
Tap ☰. You'll see this in the top right corner of your screen.
4
Click or tap the gear icon for settings
. You'll find this at the bottom of the slide-out menu.
5
Tap Privacy. This is usually the fourth listing in the menu next to the lock icon.
6
Tap Activity Status. This is usually the fourth listing in the menu next to a person and checkmark icon.
7
Tap the switch to enable or disable the feature to show your activity status. If you turn this off, you won't be able to see the activity status of anyone else.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Managing Your Own Activity Status on a Computer

1
Go to https://instagram.com. You can use a phone, tablet, or computer to access this site.
- Log in if prompted.
2
Click the profile icon
in the top right corner of the page.
3
Click the gear icon for the Settings menu
. You'll find the gear icon in the middle of the page next to your username.
4
Click Privacy and Security. You'll find this in the middle of the pop-up menu between "Notifications" and "Login Activity."
5
Click to check or uncheck the box next to "Show Activity Status." If you turn this off, you won't be able to see the activity status of anyone else.^{[2]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do you know if someone has two Instagram accounts?

Community Answer

If someone has more than one account, there is usually no way to know that unless they tell you. Some people who have a second account will post a link to the second account in their bio or in one of their pictures or videos. You could also tell by what content both accounts post. They might also have very similar usernames or profile pictures.
Question

Can you see when someone was last active from a computer?

Community Answer

No. You can only see a user's active status from a mobile app. You can change the setting for your account on the computer.