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Today, Instagram remains one of the most relevant sources of entertainment and connection. This is especially true for the Stories feature; even if you don’t have time to scroll through the feed (especially with all the ads and content suggestions), you can quickly check the Stories of users that interest you.

 

There are times, however, when you may want to download and view Instagram Stories anonymously—whether for privacy reasons, research, or personal curiosity. There are several ways to do that, both with the help of third-party apps and by using the built-in tools on your devices.

 

Read further to discover how to watch and download Instagram Stories safely and discreetly.

 

 

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How to view Instagram Stories anonymously

In 2024, Instagram was named the third most popular social network worldwide by number of monthly active users. No wonder it is commonly used by individuals and brands alike, especially when it comes to its Stories feature. In fact, Stories are often viewed more frequently than posts and reels, and people make use of that—for instance, the top 25% of most active brands publish Stories about 20 times a month.

 

If you want to view Instagram Stories anonymously, try the following methods:

#1 Airplane mode

This option only works with preloaded Stories and might not be the most reliable one. Still, it doesn’t require any installations from you.

 

Here’s how to do so:

1. Open Instagram and let the Stories load for a while. Don’t tap on them yet.
2. Then, turn on Airplane Mode on your phone.
3. While in this mode, watch Instagram Stories anonymously, and don’t forget to close Instagram completely.
4. Disable Airplane mode.

#2 Third-party solutions

There are various free Instagram story viewers, such as websites, browser extensions, or apps like Story Viewer. These solutions usually allow you to view Stories anonymously. However, you should be careful if you are wary of your data. Avoid logging in or providing personal details, as some of these solutions may be unsafe, especially when they require excessive permissions.

 

As a bonus tip, you can utilize the app Instagram Story Finder to search for creative inspiration and explore current trends in Stories marketing and design approaches.

#3 Second account

The third option is to use your alternative Instagram account or create a special one for this purpose, a.k.a Finsta or ‘fake Instagram’. However, in this case, you should be careful not to accidentally switch to your main account before watching Stories.

How to download Instagram Stories

Sometimes, you might want to save your own story or someone else’s. Here’s how you can do so in both situations.

#1 Download your own Stories with the help of Instagram’s built-in story downloader

There are several ways to do this:

1. You can save a story before even posting it—for instance, right after choosing the most optimal Instagram story background and adding text and visuals. To do this, tap the Download button before posting.
2. You can also download a story after posting it. In this case, you need to open your story, tap the three dots icon, and choose Save Video (for Android devices) or Save Story (for iPhone ones).
3. If you want to save an old story (one that has expired already), you can do so from Archives. Go to Profile → Menu → Archive → Stories Archive. Find the story you’ve been looking for and tap Download.

#2 Save other people’s Stories from public accounts

In this case, you also have several options. They are the following:

 

1. Use special websites like StorySaver.net. They allow you to download Instagram Stories anonymously by entering a person’s username (if they are public). Just open the website, enter the username, choose a story, and then tap Download.
2. Try Telegram bots, such as @InstaSaveBot. To do this, open Telegram and search for the bot. Start it and then send the Instagram username of a public account. The bot will offer you download links.
3. Use mobile apps. For instance, InstaStory Downloader for Android or Story Saver for Instagram for iOS. Install the app, then enter the Instagram username, pick a story, and download it.
4. Screen record. This option is suitable when you want to avoid working with third-party solutions or when the previous methods don’t work. If you have an iOS device, swipe down to open the Control Center, and tap the Screen Recording option. If you are an Android device owner, you can use Screen Recorder from Quick Settings.

To sum up

There are several ways to view and download Instagram Stories anonymously, from using Airplane Mode to downloading various third-party apps. Try out the tips and tricks listed in this article to find the most convenient option. And remember to always keep your safety and privacy in mind, avoiding websites or apps that ask for your login details, and be mindful of Instagram’s policies.