Instagram, which started as a simple photo-sharing app, has now become a powerful marketing tool for both businesses and individuals. With more than one billion active users, it is not surprising that brands are utilizing Instagram to connect with their audience, build brand awareness, and drive growth. In this blog post, we will explore one of Instagram’s highly useful but lesser-known features – How to Half-Swipe on Instagram Stories and Direct Messages.
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What is a Half Swipe on Instagram?
Have you heard about the Half Swipe trick for Instagram? It’s a clever way to read your Direct Messages without notifying the sender that you’ve seen them. This can be useful if you want to maintain your privacy or need some time to respond. Despite the name, the Half Swipe trick doesn’t involve any actual swiping. Instead, it requires careful scrolling and timing. So, next time you want to read your messages without letting the sender know, give the Half Swipe trick a try!
Why Use the Half Swipe Feature?
The Half Swipe feature has several benefits. Firstly, it allows you to read messages without the sender knowing, thus maintaining your privacy. This can be useful when you need more time to respond or don’t want to engage in a conversation immediately. Secondly, it gives you control over your ‘seen‘ status, which can help manage your online presence. Lastly, it’s a fun hack that you can share with others.
Step-by-Step Guide to Half Swipe on Instagram
To use the Half Swipe feature on Instagram, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your Direct Messages (DMs). You can either swipe left from your feed or tap the ‘Messages‘ icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Find the chat with the unread messages that you want to view without letting the sender know.
- Tap the chat to open it, but be quick. As soon as you open the chat, swipe down so that the messages scroll up. You need to do this before any new messages load into view. Failing to do so will mark them as ‘seen’.
- If you have successfully scrolled up before the new messages loaded, they will remain unseen. You can now scroll back down slowly to read the message, but be careful not to scroll down. If the message is completely viewed, it will be marked as ‘seen‘.
That’s it! Now you can view messages without letting the sender know that you’ve seen them.
Half-Swipe on Instagram Stories?
To preview a Story from the user who appears just before the one you want to view, follow these steps:
- Click on the Story of the user just before the one you want to preview. Remember that this user will be able to see that you viewed their Story, but if you follow these steps correctly, the Story you want to half-swipe will not show you as a viewer.
- Once you reach the last frame of the previous user’s Story, swipe halfway to view the next user’s Story. Be careful not to lift your finger from the screen or swipe further than halfway.
- After you have finished previewing the Story, swipe back to the previous user’s Story and exit.
Do remember that it might take a few tries to get the timing right, but with practice, you will be able to use this feature with ease.
Limitations and Considerations of the Half-Swipe Feature
The Half Swipe feature in Instagram can be quite useful, but it has some limitations. For instance, if there are multiple unread messages in a chat, you won’t be able to read them all without marking at least one as ‘seen’. As soon as a message comes completely into your view, it will be counted as read.
Moreover, this feature may not work if Instagram updates its app and changes how the ‘seen‘ status is triggered. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to keep up-to-date with the latest Instagram features and changes.
How to Open Instagram Messages Without Seen?
There are three safer ways to read Instagram messages without letting the sender know you’ve seen them.
First of all, turn on Airplane Mode on your device before opening the Instagram app. This will prevent an internet connection and enable you to read messages without triggering the “seen” status.
The second method is to utilize a third-party app or website that allows you to read Instagram messages without marking them as seen. However, it’s essential to be cautious when using third-party apps because they may compromise your privacy or violate Instagram’s terms of use.
Thirdly, you can use the Instagram web version. By accessing your messages through the web version, you can read them without triggering the “seen” status on the mobile app. Remember to exercise caution and respect others’ privacy when using these methods.
Go For Instagram Restricted Feature
Please refer to the following steps to remove the restrictions on a user after using Instagram’s “Restrict” feature:
- Tap the DM icon: Open the Instagram app and tap the DM icon located in the top right corner of your Feed. You will be re-directed to direct messages.
- Open the chat with the user: Find and open the chat with the user you want to restrict.
- Tap the person’s name: Once in the chat, tap on the person’s name at the top. This will open their profile.
- Access the three dots: Look for the three dots icon located in the top right corner of the user’s profile. For additional options tap on it.
- Tap “Unrestrict”: From the options menu, select “Unrestrict” to remove the restriction on the user.
After following these steps, the user will be unrestricted, and you can restore normal interaction with them.
Also read: Jamilleah Coleman – A Dedicated Student and Upcoming Entrepreneur
Conclusion
Instagram offers many features that can enhance your experience on the platform. The Half Swipe feature is just one of the many hidden gems that can make a significant difference in how you manage your interactions and online presence. Remember, mastering Instagram requires understanding and leveraging its features, both big and small. So, keep exploring, learning, and growing. If you have any questions or require assistance with your Instagram growth, feel free to book a call with us. We’re here to help!
