If you’re wondering how to mute someone on IG, here’s the straight answer:
Open their profile, tap Following, choose Mute, and toggle what you want to silence — stories, posts, or notes. They won’t be notified.
I’ve used this feature more times than I can count. Sometimes your feed gets noisy. Sometimes a friend posts 15 stories a day. Sometimes you just need less of someone without drama.
Muting fixes that quietly.
This guide covers:
- How to mute someone on IG story
- How to mute someone on Instagram posts
- How to mute someone on Instagram notes
- How to mute someone on IG without them knowing
- How to mute someone on IG call
Let’s walk through it properly.
Quick Overview: How Muting Works on Instagram
| Feature | Can You Mute It? | Where to Find Setting | Does Person Know? |
| Stories | Yes | Profile → Following → Mute | No |
| Posts | Yes | Same as above | No |
| Notes | Yes | Profile → Following → Mute | No |
| Messages | Yes (mute notifications) | Chat → Info → Mute | No |
| Calls | Yes (mute call alerts) | Chat → Info → Mute Calls | No |
Muting does not unfollow. It only hides content from your feed.
That’s key.
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Why People Mute Instead of Unfollow
Let’s be honest.
Unfollowing can create tension. Especially if the person checks follower lists.
Muting avoids that.
You stay connected.
They don’t know.
Your feed gets cleaner.
I muted several business accounts last year when researching competitors. I needed space from constant updates but didn’t want to signal anything publicly.
It’s a practical tool.
How to Mute Someone on IG Story
There are two ways to mute stories.
Method 1: From Their Profile
- Open their profile.
- Tap Following.
- Tap Mute.
- Toggle Stories on.
Done.
Their story ring will disappear from the top of your feed.
Method 2: From Their Story
- Tap and hold on their story icon.
- Select Mute.
- Choose Mute Story.
This method is faster if their story is already visible.
I use this when someone posts ten stories in a row. Quick hold. One tap. Clean feed.
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How to Mute Someone on Instagram Posts
Muting posts hides their photos and reels from your feed.
Steps:
- Go to their profile.
- Tap Following.
- Tap Mute.
- Toggle Posts on.
You will still follow them. You can still visit their profile.
But their content won’t show in your feed scroll.
This helps when someone posts frequently or content no longer aligns with your interests.
How to Mute Someone on Instagram Without Unfollowing
This is the most searched version of the question.
Muting keeps the connection intact.
Here’s the full process:
- Visit their profile.
- Tap Following.
- Tap Mute.
- Choose Stories, Posts, or both.
You remain on their followers list.
They receive no alert.
There is no notification system for muting.
Instagram does not inform users when they’re muted.
I’ve tested this by muting a second account and checking alerts. Nothing appears.
It’s private.
How to Mute Someone on Instagram Notes
Instagram Notes appear at the top of your Direct Messages inbox.
If someone posts frequent Notes and you’d rather not see them, you can mute those too.
Steps:
- Open their profile.
- Tap Following.
- Tap Mute.
- Toggle Notes.
Now their Notes won’t appear in your DM inbox header.
This is newer, so many users don’t know it exists.
I muted several promotional accounts after Notes launched. It kept my inbox cleaner.
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How to Mute Someone on IG Call
Calls are slightly different.
You can’t “mute” a person entirely from calling. But you can mute notifications.
Steps:
- Open Direct Messages.
- Open chat with person.
- Tap their name at top.
- Tap Mute.
- Toggle Mute Calls.
This silences call alerts.
They can still call you. You just won’t hear the notification.
If someone calls repeatedly, this helps reduce interruption.
Difference Between Muting, Restricting, and Blocking
Many users confuse these.
Here’s the breakdown:
| Feature | They Know? | Can They Message? | Visible to You? |
| Mute | No | Yes | Hidden in feed |
| Restrict | No | Limited | Comments hidden |
| Block | Yes (obvious) | No | Profile removed |
Mute is the softest action.
Restrict limits interaction.
Block removes connection entirely.
Use mute when you want distance without conflict.
Will They Know If You Mute Them?
No.
Instagram does not notify users when they are muted.
There’s no alert.
No email.
No dashboard showing who muted them.
The only way they might suspect is if you stop engaging.
But technically, they cannot see mute status.
Can You Unmute Later?
Yes.
Go to their profile → Following → Mute → Toggle off.
Instant reversal.
I rotate muting sometimes during busy periods. When my schedule clears, I unmute.
Flexible tool.
What Happens After You Mute Someone?
Here’s what changes:
- Their posts disappear from feed.
- Their stories disappear from story bar.
- Their notes disappear from DM header.
- Their calls can be silenced.
Here’s what doesn’t change:
- You still follow each other.
- They can see your content.
- They can message you.
- You can visit their profile anytime.
Muting is visibility control, not relationship control.
When Muting Makes Sense
I use muting strategically.
Examples:
- During work focus weeks.
- When someone overshares temporarily.
- When business research requires distance.
- When family politics heat up.
It keeps peace.
Not everything requires an unfollow or block.
Market Insight: Why Instagram Built Mute
Instagram introduced mute in 2018.
Users wanted more control without social consequences.
The platform responded with soft filters.
Social platforms now favor customizable feeds.
Mute supports that trend.
Control without confrontation.
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Final Takeaway
If you’re asking how to mute someone on IG:
- Go to their profile.
- Tap Following.
- Tap Mute.
- Choose Stories, Posts, Notes, or Calls.
They won’t know.
You stay connected.
Your feed gets cleaner.
It’s one of the most useful features Instagram added.
Try it once. You’ll use it often.
FAQ
How to mute someone on IG story?
Tap their profile → Following → Mute → Toggle Stories.
How to mute someone on Instagram posts?
Profile → Following → Mute → Toggle Posts.
How to mute someone on Instagram without unfollowing?
Use the mute option instead of unfollow. They won’t know.
How to mute someone on Instagram notes?
Profile → Following → Mute → Toggle Notes.
How to mute someone on IG call?
Open chat → Tap name → Mute → Toggle Mute Calls.