Bring back a cleaner Instagram inbox by hiding ‘Instants’:Here’s how to turn off this feature in a few simple steps

Just when you thought your Instagram inbox couldn’t get any busier, another feature arrived. Instagram’s new ‘Instants’ lets users send disappearing photos through direct messages, similar to quick photo updates that vanish after being viewed.
While some users enjoy the casual way of sharing moments, others find it cluttering an already crowded inbox. If you’re among those who prefer a cleaner messaging experience, there’s good news. Instagram now lets users hide Instants from their inbox. The setting is tucked away in the app, but turning it on takes only a few seconds. What is Instagram Instants? ‘Instagram Instants’ is a feature that lets users send temporary photos directly via DMs. These photos can be shared with close friends or people you have mutual connections with on Instagram. Once the recipient opens the photo, it disappears and cannot be viewed again after 24 hours. Users can send ‘Instants’ either through Instagram itself or via Instagram’s dedicated Instants camera experience. The platform also offers a brief window to unsend an Instant before it gets opened. Why do some users want to turn it off While the feature may sound useful, not everyone is a fan. Since Instants appear inside the DM section, they can make the inbox look crowded and harder to navigate. For users who primarily use Instagram for messaging, the extra section can feel unnecessary and distracting. How to hide ‘Instagram Instants’ If you’d rather keep Instants out of your inbox, follow these steps:

Once enabled, Instagram Instants will no longer appear in your DM inbox A quick temporary alternative If you don’t want to permanently disable the feature, Instagram also offers a temporary option. Simply press and hold the Instants section in your inbox and swipe right to hide it. If you change your mind later, swipe left to bring it back. What happens after you hide Instants? Turning off Instants doesn’t affect your regular Instagram messages. It simply removes the dedicated Instants section from your inbox view. Some of the benefits include: Instagram continues to experiment with new ways of sharing content, but not every feature suits every user. If Instants feels more like clutter than convenience, hiding it can make your inbox feel much more manageable.