How to Half Swipe on Instagram DMs, Stories and Reels in 2024?

If you wish to read your unread messages on Instagram without others knowing you need to learn how to half swipe on Instagram.

Using half swipe on Instagram you can secretly view Direct Messages (DMs) and stories without notifying the sender. Though it is not an official feature from Instagram, many people are already using it. 

If you too are interested in mastering the half swipe Instagram technique to gain more control over your interactions and enhance your privacy on Instagram’s ever-changing platform, you’re at the right place.

This write-up will guide you ‘how to half swipe on Instagram.’ So, let’s dive into the details–

Can You Half Swipe on Instagram?

No. Instagram does not have an official ‘half swipe’ feature. Typically, users need to fully swipe to view content on the platform. However, Some users on Reddit have found the workaround of ‘quickly swiping up or down before reaching the end of a message, story, or reel’ effective in preventing read receipts from being triggered.

Note:- By being engaged and involved on platforms like Reddit, you can discover useful strategies or approaches that may not be officially acknowledged but are still effective in practice.

Also, Check Out: Can I Screenshot Instagram Stories Undetected? Does Instagram Notify Screenshots in 2024?

How to Half Swipe on Instagram DMs?

When you want to secretly view your DMs without triggering the ‘Seen’ status on Instagram, you’ve got to follow these steps—

• Step 1: Launch the Instagram app on your Android or iOS device and log in to your account (if not already).
• Step 2: Then, tap on the DM icon located in the top right corner of your Feed to go to your DMs.
• Step 3: In your DMs, choose the Conversation you want to view without being noticed.
• Step 4: Upon entering the chat, swipe down in the chat so that the messages scroll up. You need to swipe before the conversation fully loads to avoid triggering the ‘seen’ status.

Note:- You must act very fast because, once the new messages load into view, it will be marked as ‘seen.’ So, basically, it’s a kind of race against time. 

• Step 5: Now, proceed to scroll through the conversation slowly without reaching the end of the current message.

  

  

So, by following this method, the sender will remain unaware that you have viewed their message.

Note: If there are several unseen messages, and you want to view all of them, remember only the last one will remain unseen; the other messages will be marked as ‘seen.’

How to Half Swipe on Instagram Story?

Like DMs, if you want to anonymously watch Instagram Stories without leaving any trace, you can do it with this simple half-swipe method. So, follow these steps for how to side swipe on Instagram Story—

Note: It is to be noted that this method doesn’t support video content, and if there are multiple stories, you may not be able to watch the subsequent ones using this technique.

• Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your respective device.
• Step 2: Then, what you’ve got to do is navigate to the Feed tab.
• Step 3: There, tap on the previous story to progress to the next one you wish to view.
• Step 4: Now, as the previous story begins playing, tap and hold it, then initiate a half-swipe without lifting your finger to seamlessly move on to the next story.

  

Tip: In order to maintain your anonymity, make sure to quickly swipe back to the previous story and exit the app after watching the desired story.

How to Half Swipe on Instagram Reels?

To view reels as well, the concept remains unchanged, but it’s simpler than quickly half-swiping DMs. 

Though it requires some patience, the process is straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step explanation—

• Step 1: Open the Instagram app and locate any reel. 
• Step 2: Once you’ve found a reel, open it. 
• Step 3: Now, scroll down to move to the next reel, but refrain from scrolling all the way down. 

  

How to View Instagram Messages Anonymously?

In case the half-swipe method doesn’t work for you, and you wish to view Instagram messages without alerting the sender, you can also explore the following methods—

Go Offline 

One simple way to read messages anonymously is by temporarily going offline on Instagram. However, keep in mind that this method may limit your interaction with the platform.

• Step 1: Firstly, disconnect your device from the internet or turn on Airplane Mode for added privacy.
• Step 2: Then, access the particular message you want to read while your device is offline.
• Step 3: Now, stay offline until you finish reading the messages and then close the app otherwise, it could trigger the ‘seen’ status.

Use Third-Party Services 

You can secretly read messages from another phone by using a third-party app like AirDroid Parental Control.  It lets you check Instagram activities on a different device. For instance, parents can use it to monitor their kids’ messages without them or the sender knowing.

Not only this app but some other third-party services claim to provide anonymous message viewing. However, it is suggested to exercise caution when using them. You need to ensure that the service is trustworthy, as using unauthorized apps may compromise your account security or violate Instagram’s terms of service.

Restrict and Unrestrict the Users

If you don’t consider using third-party apps, you can use the Restrict feature on Instagram to read messages without the sender knowing. When you restrict a user, their messages go into a hidden section. There, you can check them without alerting the sender. 

Luckily, restricting someone on Instagram becomes very easy. You just need to follow these steps—

• Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your device.
• Step 2: Go to the profile of the user you want to restrict.
• Step 3: Tap the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner to access options.
• Step 4: Select Restrict from the menu options .

  

Note:- Once you’ve read the message using the restrict feature, don’t forget to unrestrict the user later for normal communication.

View Instagram Messages in Email

Last but not least, you can also check your Instagram messages discreetly by using your email. If you have email notifications enabled, Instagram will send you alerts to your email inbox (under the ‘social’ category). These alerts will show you the message you received and the username of the person who sent it—thereby allowing you to read messages without appearing as ‘seen’ on Instagram.

Also, Read: Best Private Instagram Viewer for Account & Profile Exploration

Wrapping Up!

Learning the ‘half swipe’ on Instagram is a game-changer for privacy and control. Whether you’re checking DMs, Stories, or Reels, this technique helps you view them secretly without others knowing. 

So, by following the step-by-step instructions on how to half-swipe on Instagram and exploring additional methods discussed above to view messages anonymously, users can enjoy a more personalized and tailored experience. Essentially, it ensures that users can customize their online experiences on IG to better suit their personal preferences and privacy requirements.

Next, Read: 10 Simple Strategies to Stay Safe on Instagram in 2023

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