To mute someone on Instagram, open their profile, tap Following, tap Mute, then switch on Posts, Stories or both. They aren't told, you stay connected, and you can undo it any time from the same menu.
Muting is the quiet option. You don't unfollow, you don't block, and nothing changes on their side. You just stop seeing what they share. It's useful for the relative who posts every hour, the old colleague you'd rather not offend or the account that has drifted away from what you care about. If you're deciding between muting and something stronger, the table further down compares all four options side by side.
Mute posts and stories from their profile
This is the most reliable route because it works on both iPhone and Android, and you can see exactly what you're switching off.
- Open Instagram and go to the person's profile.
- Tap the Following button under their name.
- Tap Mute.
- Switch on Posts, Stories or both. Some accounts also show an option for other content such as Notes.
- Close the menu. The change applies straight away.
If you want to hide their posts but still catch their stories, turn on only the posts toggle. It's a handy setup for accounts whose stories you enjoy but whose feed is noisy.
Muting is also easy to forget about. If you notice you haven't seen anything from someone in weeks, it might be because you muted them, so check before you assume they've stopped posting.
Mute from your feed or story tray
You don't have to visit the profile. Both places below take a few seconds:
- In the feed: tap the three dots at the top right of one of their posts, then tap Mute and choose what to hide.
- In the story tray: press and hold their circle at the top of your feed, then tap Mute and confirm.
A muted story isn't deleted. If you ever want to watch it, visit their profile and tap their picture.
After you mute, nothing else about the account changes. You can still open their profile, you'll still see them if they tag you, and you can still reply to a message or comment. You don't have to explain it to anyone, which is the whole point. If you later want to catch up on what you missed, visit the profile directly and scroll.
Mute their messages
Muting posts and stories doesn't silence your inbox. Messages have their own switch.
- Open the chat with the person.
- Tap their name at the top of the conversation.
- Turn on Mute messages. You may also see a choice for call notifications.
With this on, you won't get alerts for new messages from that chat. The messages still arrive, and you can read them when you open the app. If you'd like to limit what someone can do without blocking them, read my guide to the Instagram Restrict feature.
A tip for group chats: you can mute a whole group conversation in the same way. Open the group, tap its name at the top and look for the mute switch. That's often the quickest fix when a busy chat keeps lighting up your phone.
Will they know?
No. Instagram doesn't send a notification when you mute someone, and the other person can't see a muted label anywhere. They can still follow you, like your posts and message you. The only way they'd guess is if you stopped reacting to their content, which is a social cue rather than anything the app shows.
That's the biggest difference between muting and the alternatives. If you want to go further and take someone off your follower list without blocking them, I've written about how to remove followers without blocking.
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Some people mute out of kindness, because they want to stay on good terms with someone whose posts they find draining. Others do it for focus, to keep their feed full of what they chose to follow. Both are fine reasons. There's no rule that says you have to watch everything everyone posts.
Mute vs restrict vs block vs unfollow
| Option | What you see | What they see | Do they get told? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mute | Nothing from them in your feed or tray (you choose) | Your profile and posts as normal | No |
| Restrict | Their comments are hidden unless you approve them; their messages go to requests | Looks normal, but their activity is limited | No |
| Block | None of their content | They can't find your profile or interact | Not told, but they may notice |
| Unfollow | Nothing from them in your feed | They can see that you don't follow them if they check | No notification |
My rule of thumb: mute for annoyance, restrict for unwanted comments, block for harassment or anything that makes you feel unsafe. If someone is harming you online, use block and report, and don't feel guilty about it.
It also helps to think about what each option says to the other person. Muting says nothing. Restricting says nothing out loud, but their reach shrinks. Blocking is the one that changes what they can reach, so only use it when you need real distance. Unfollowing sits in between: quiet, but visible if they look at their list.
How to unmute
To bring someone back, reverse the steps:
- Go to the person's profile and tap Following, then Mute.
- Switch off Posts, Stories or both.
- Check your feed. Their content should show again, though older posts may take a moment to appear.
You can also look through the accounts you've muted in your settings, usually under a name like Muted accounts. Reels have their own rules, and I've covered them in my guide on how to mute Reels without unfollowing.
A quick note on menu names: Instagram renames buttons and moves things around from time to time. If something here looks different on your phone, open Settings and search for the word Mute, and you'll usually land in the right place.
Frequently asked questions
Does muting someone on Instagram notify them?
No. Instagram doesn't tell the other person that you muted them, and nothing in their app changes.
Can I mute someone's stories but still see their posts?
Yes. In the Mute menu you choose Posts, Stories or both, so you can keep one and hide the other.
What's the difference between muting and unfollowing?
Muting hides their content while you stay a follower. Unfollowing removes the follow completely, so they may notice if they check their follower list.
How do I mute messages from someone on Instagram?
Open the chat, tap their name at the top, and turn on Mute messages. You'll stop getting alerts, but the messages still arrive.
Can I find a list of people I've muted?
Yes, in your settings there's usually a section called Muted accounts. If you can't see it, search the settings for the word Mute.
