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How To Unmute Someone’s Instagram Story

You’ve muted someone on Instagram — some people just post way too often — but now you’re ready to see them back on your feed. The problem is that you can’t figure out how to unmute them. So, what’s the trick?

To unmute someone’s Instagram story, type the name of the person you wish to unmute into the app’s search tab. Once you’re at their profile, tap ‘Following,’ then select ‘Mute.’ Toggle off the switch next to ‘Stories Off.’ You can also unmute their posts if you have them muted.

Instagram also offers you the option of muting and unmuting someone’s posts, direct messages, and video chats. Let’s take a closer look at how to do all of that.

What Does Muting Mean on Instagram?

Person Holding Black Android Smartphone

Muting is the internet version of shushing someone. When you mute someone on Instagram, you won’t see their posts in your feed, their stories at the top of your feed, or the incoming messages they send you. Their stories will be pushed to the end of the story bar. Plus, Instagram won’t let them know that you muted them.

However, you can still visit their profile to see their posts or stories. Instagram will also notify you of the posts or comments that they tag you in.

Note that you can only mute someone using a mobile device and not on a computer.

How to Mute Someone on Instagram

Muting a person helps reduce the virtual noise and restore calm. It’s the go-to option when you don’t want to block someone but no longer wish to see them pop up in your feed all the time.

Here’s how to mute someone on Instagram:

  1. Log in to your Instagram account.
  2. In the search bar, type in the name of the person you wish to mute.
  3. Once you’re at their profile, look for the Following button above their posts and under their username. Tap it.
  4. A message will pop up with the Mute option. Tap it.
  5. You’ll then get to choose whether to mute their stories, posts, or both. Toggle on the slider for the option you want.

You can also mute direct messages on Instagram. Here’s how:

  1. From your home page, tap the Direct Messages icon at the top right corner.
  2. Go to the conversation you wish to mute.
  3. Tap on the information (i) icon at the top right of the chat.
  4. Slide the option Mute messages to mute that chat.
  5. Instagram also gives you the option of muting video chat.

There you go! You’ve successfully muted that contact, and you’ll see a lot less of them the next time you log in to your feed.

Can You Unmute Someone’s Story on Instagram?

Yes, you can unmute someone that you had previously muted. When you do so, their stories will be back at the top of your story bar with the colorful ring whenever they upload something new. You’ll also start seeing their posts back on your feed.

As is the case with muting, Instagram doesn’t notify a person when you unmute them.

Here’s how to unmute accounts on Instagram:

  1. Log in to your Instagram account.
  2. Scroll your story feed to the right until you reach the grayed-out profile icons. These are the accounts you’ve muted.
  3. Press and hold the profile picture of the person you wish to unmute.
  4. Tap Unmute.

You’ve successfully unmuted their stories. However, this method doesn’t allow you to unmute their posts. 

Try this method instead:

  1. Log in to your Instagram account.
  2. Tap your Profile icon at the bottom right of the screen.
  3. Navigate to Menu > Settings > Privacy.
  4. Scroll down and tap Muted accounts. You’ll see a list of all the accounts that you’ve muted.
  5. Tap on the account(s) you want to unmute to open their profile.
  6. Below their bio, tap Following, then select Mute.
  7. Toggle off the switch next to Stories Off. You can also unmute their posts.

Alternatively:

  1. Log in to your Instagram account.
  2. In the search tab, type the name of the person you wish to unmute.
  3. Once you are at their profile, tap Following, then select Mute.
  4. Toggle off the switch next to Stories Off. You can also unmute their posts.

Here’s how to unmute direct messages on Instagram:

  1. From your home page, tap the Direct Messages icon at the top right corner.
  2. Go to the conversation you wish to mute.
  3. Tap on the information (i) icon at the top right of the chat.
  4. Slide the option mute messages to unmute that chat.
  5. Unmute video chat if you had muted it earlier.

Can You Tell if Someone’s Muted You?

Close-Up Shot of a Person Looking at a Picture on Instagram

At the moment, no. Instagram doesn’t notify an account when it gets muted. Your friend won’t know when you mute them. And at the same time, you too, won’t be able to tell if someone mutes you.

If it’s been a while since you saw posts or stories from your Instagram-addicted friend, chances are that they’ve muted you.

Ready, Set, Mute!

It’s okay if you don’t want to see the posts from a certain person or company. Promotional messages from brands can be especially loud and annoying. That’s why Instagram added the mute option. Use it!