\n<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Instagram globally released a new feature called \u201cInstants\u201d<\/a> that\u2019s designed for sharing authentic, disappearing photos. While the Meta-owned social network billed Instants as a new format to share real-life moments as they\u2019re happening, many users are looking for a way to turn off the feature, especially those who have ended up<\/a> accidentally<\/a> sending images<\/a> to others, not fully understanding how the feature works.\u00a0<\/p>\n When you open up Instagram\u2019s new Instants section for the first time by tapping the mini photo stack in the bottom-right corner of your inbox, the app opens up a brief introduction about the feature that informs users that Instants disappear, there\u2019s no viewers list, and that reactions and replies are private. The app then quickly takes you through the process of viewing and reacting to Instants.\u00a0<\/p>\n Once you get to the camera, underneath it is a shutter button, and below that is a toggle that lets you choose between \u201cFriends\u201d and \u201cClose Friends.\u201d By default, it\u2019s set to \u201cFriends.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n What Meta doesn\u2019t immediately make users aware of is the fact that the moment you tap the shutter button, the photo that\u2019s captured is automatically sent to everyone on your Friends list, unless you manually switch the setting to \u201cClose Friends\u201d beforehand.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since the process of sending an image isn\u2019t clearly explained, many users have ended up accidentally sending a photo to others they didn\u2019t intend to. (It\u2019s worth noting that Meta does offer an \u201cundo\u201d option once a photo has been sent, but it\u2019s easy to miss because the whole experience of accidentally exposing yourself to others can be quite jarring.) Additionally, some people didn\u2019t even realize that a photo had been sent out.<\/p>\n On an app like Instagram, where users are accustomed to reviewing and carefully curating their content before sharing it, the feature\u2019s instant-send design has understandably frustrated many people, considering their privacy is at stake.<\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, many users are looking for ways to disable the feature. We\u2019ll walk you through how to turn it off and how to unsend a photo if you accidentally shared one.<\/p>\n To turn off the new Instants feature, go to your profile, click the three-line menu at the top right to open your settings. Scroll down to \u201cContent Preferences\u201d and toggle the \u201cHide Instants in Inbox.\u201d<\/p>\n Once you select this option, you will no longer see the Instants feature in your inbox. You also won\u2019t see any Instants that people have sent you.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t want to turn off the feature altogether, you can hold down the pile of Instants in your inbox and swipe right to temporarily stop receiving them.<\/p>\n As soon as you send an Instant, an \u201cUndo\u201d option appears beneath the shutter button, allowing you to quickly retract the photo before recipients view it.<\/p>\n Additionally, you can go to your archive by selecting the four-box icon located at the top right of the camera and delete an Instant, which will unsend it to friends who haven\u2019t opened it yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission<\/a>. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/em><\/p>\nHow to turn off Instants<\/h2>\n
How to undo an Instant<\/h2>\n