How to Unmute Someone on Instagram Stories: A Deep Dive

Want to see what your friend’s been up to on Instagram Stories, but you accidentally muted them? Or perhaps you had good reason at the time, but now you’re ready to rejoin their digital narrative? No worries! Unmuting someone on Instagram Stories is a simple process, and this guide will walk you through it step-by-step. Simply navigate to their profile, find the “Following” option, and select “Mute”. Toggle the “Stories” option off, and voila, you’re back in the loop!

How to Unmute Instagram Stories: The Core Methods

There are actually a few different ways to accomplish this. Instagram, in its characteristic fashion, provides multiple access points for common actions. Let’s explore each one.

Method 1: Through Their Profile

This is perhaps the most straightforward method. If you know the username of the person you want to unmute, this is the quickest way.

1. Open the Instagram App: Make sure you’re logged into your account.
2. Search for Their Profile: Use the search bar at the bottom of the screen (the magnifying glass icon) and type in the username of the person you want to unmute.
3. Navigate to Their Profile: Tap on their profile from the search results.
4. Locate the “Following” Option: Under their bio, you’ll see options like “Follow,” “Message,” and “Following.” Tap on “Following.”
5. Select “Mute”: A menu will appear. Choose the “Mute” option.
6. Toggle “Stories” Off: You’ll see options to mute or unmute posts and stories. Make sure the toggle next to “Stories” is switched off (it should be greyed out, not blue).
7. You’re Done! You’ll now see their stories in your feed again.

Method 2: From the “Muted Accounts” List

This method is useful if you’ve muted a lot of people and can’t remember exactly who.

1. Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. Open the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (the hamburger menu) in the top right corner.
3. Select “Settings and privacy”: A list of options will pop up. Find and tap on “Settings and privacy.”
4. Scroll and Find “Muted accounts”: Scroll down the menu until you find the section “Who can see your content” and then tap “Muted accounts.”
5. Find the Account: You’ll see a list of all the accounts you’ve muted. Find the account whose stories you want to unmute.
6. Tap “Unmute”: You’ll see an “Unmute” button next to their name. Tap it.
7. Choose “Unmute Stories”: From the pop-up select “Unmute Stories.”
8. Success! Their stories will now appear in your feed.

Method 3: Directly From a Story in Your Feed (If Available)

This is a less reliable method as it depends on whether Instagram shows you a muted story preview or not. Sometimes, if someone you’ve muted posts a story, Instagram will show a greyed-out circle with their profile picture at the beginning of your stories feed.

1. Look for the Greyed-Out Circle: If you see a greyed-out circle with a profile picture at the beginning of your stories feed, it indicates a muted account.
2. Long Press the Circle: Tap and hold down on the greyed-out circle.
3. Select “Unmute”: A pop-up menu should appear, giving you the option to “Unmute.”
4. Confirm Unmute: Confirm your choice. Their stories will now be visible.

Important Note: This method might not always work. Instagram’s algorithm sometimes hides all traces of muted accounts, even the greyed-out circles.

Understanding Muting on Instagram

Before we delve into the FAQs, it’s important to understand what muting actually does. Muting someone on Instagram does not unfollow them. You’ll still be following their account, and they won’t know that you’ve muted them. You simply won’t see their posts or stories in your feed. This is a great way to declutter your feed without causing any social awkwardness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Unmuting Instagram Stories

Here are some common questions people have about muting and unmuting on Instagram Stories.

1. Will the person know if I unmute their stories?

No, Instagram does not notify users when they are unmuted. They will have no way of knowing that you’ve started seeing their stories again unless you interact with them, such as reacting to their stories or replying to them.

2. Can I unmute someone’s posts but keep their stories muted?

Yes, Instagram allows you to mute posts and stories independently. When you go to the “Mute” options on someone’s profile, you can toggle posts on or off separately from stories.

3. What’s the difference between muting and blocking someone?

Muting is a temporary and discreet way to filter content without unfollowing someone. The muted user is unaware. Blocking, on the other hand, is a more drastic measure. When you block someone, they can no longer see your profile, posts, or stories, and they can’t contact you. They also won’t be able to follow you again unless you unblock them.

4. Can someone tell if I mute their posts or stories?

No, Instagram does not notify users when they are muted. Muting is a silent action that doesn’t alert the other person.

5. Is there a limit to how many people I can mute on Instagram?

No, there is no known limit to the number of accounts you can mute on Instagram. You can mute as many accounts as you need to in order to curate your feed.

6. How do I unmute everything at once?

Unfortunately, Instagram does not offer a “unmute all” button. You’ll have to unmute accounts individually using one of the methods described above. This is where the “Muted Accounts” list can be particularly useful.

7. Why can’t I see the “Following” option on someone’s profile?

This usually happens if you aren’t actually following the person. The “Following” option only appears on profiles of accounts you are already following. If you want to see their stories, you’ll need to follow them first.

8. I unmuted someone, but I still don’t see their stories. Why?

There could be a few reasons:

• They haven’t posted a story recently: Make sure they’ve actually posted a story since you unmuted them.
• They’ve blocked you: If someone blocks you, you won’t be able to see their profile or stories.
• Technical glitch: Sometimes, Instagram experiences temporary glitches. Try closing and reopening the app, or restarting your device.
• They might have restricted you: It is possible that the user has restricted you so that you can only see certain stories, which is why you are having difficulty seeing their stories.

9. Will muting someone affect my engagement with their account?

Muting will not directly affect your engagement metrics from their perspective. They won’t know you’ve muted them. However, from your perspective, since you won’t be seeing their content as frequently (or at all), you’re less likely to engage with their posts and stories, which could indirectly affect your algorithm placement with their account.

10. Can I mute someone’s live videos too?

No, Instagram does not offer a separate mute option specifically for live videos. Muting their stories will not prevent you from seeing their live videos if they appear in your feed. However, you can always choose to simply scroll past their live video notification.

11. If I mute someone on one device, will they be muted on all my devices?

Yes, muting settings are account-specific. If you mute someone on your phone, they will also be muted on your tablet or computer, as long as you are logged into the same Instagram account.

12. Is it possible to accidentally mute someone’s stories?

Yes, it is possible, especially if you are quickly navigating through the app or using it while distracted. If you suspect you might have accidentally muted someone, it’s always a good idea to check the “Muted Accounts” list to confirm.

By following these methods and understanding the nuances of muting, you can easily curate your Instagram experience and control the content you see in your feed. Happy scrolling!