- What is Quiet Mode on Instagram?: Introduced in January 2023 and now renamed Sleep Mode, it pauses notifications and shows a status badge to support healthier app use.
- Why Quiet Mode Helps: It reduces constant distractions, improves focus, supports better sleep, and boosts mental health by sending automatic replies while you’re offline.
- How to Enable Quiet Mode: Open Instagram settings, go to notifications, toggle Sleep Mode, and set a custom schedule that fits your daily routine.
- What Changes During Quiet Mode: Notifications stop, your status shows “In Quiet Mode,” auto-replies are sent, and a catch-up summary appears when you return.
- Fixing Quiet Mode Problems: Update Instagram, check regional availability, restart your phone, clear the app cache, or reinstall if the feature isn’t working properly.
Instagram can be a big distraction when you have something important to do. The constant notifications and DMs can make it hard to focus on your work. That’s why many people use the “quiet mode.”
As the name goes, it is a feature on Instagram that helps you take a break from all the buzzing notifications by silencing them without logging you out of your account. You can use it for many things – studying, work, sleeping, and more. It is a nice way to detox from social media for a bit.
In this guide, I’ll explain what Quiet Mode is and how to enable or disable it on Instagram using your iPhone or Android device.
Table of Contents
- What is Quiet Mode on Instagram?
- Benefits of Using Quiet Mode
- How to Turn On Quiet Mode on Instagram ( iPhone or Android )
- How to Turn Off Quiet Mode on Instagram ( iPhone or Android )
- What Happens When You Put Instagram in Quiet Mode
- Troubleshooting Tips When Quiet Mode Is Not Working on Instagram
- Quiet Mode vs. Other Instagram Notification Controls
- Wrapping up
What is Quiet Mode on Instagram?
Let’s clear one thing first: Quiet Mode Is Now Called as “Sleep Mode.”
Instagram first introduced this feature on in January 2023. Quiet mode is basically a built-in wellness feature that temporarily pauses notifications on Instagram and automatically lets people know you are not free. You can set it for up to 24 hours at once.
Take a look the image below. This is how your profile appears to other when you use the quiet mode.
Three main things happen when you use this feature.
- Notifications stop for the time you set.
- Your status changes to in quiet mode with a moon icon instead of the green dot.
- An auto-reply is sent to DMs so people know you are not available.
Unlike muting chats or turning off notifications – quiet mode lets you schedule breaks automatically.
Benefits of Using Quiet Mode
A global survey of 20000 children in the age group of 12 to 15 years found that 40% now take intentional breaks from their devices. It clearly shows the importance of new features like the quiet mode.
Now, let’s take a look at some benefits.
- You will have fewer distractions: No more constant pings while you are trying to focus on your work.
- Helps to improve productivity: It is perfect for deep work sessions or when you want to do something productive.
- You will get better sleep: This feature will stop late-night alerts from disturbing you when you sleep.
- Boosts mental well-being: You will have lesser pressure to reply instantly to messages.
- Polite auto-replies: It lets friends know you are away without ignoring them.
If you are on quiet mode and someone sends you a message, they will receive an alert message like the screenshot below.
How to Turn On Quiet Mode on Instagram ( iPhone or Android )
Here are the steps you can follow to activate quiet mode on your Instagram app. These steps are only for Android and iPhone users.
- Open the Instagram app on your phone and go to your profile.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- Select Notifications.
- Tap Sleep mode.
- Toggle Sleep mode on.
- Set your schedule. Choose start and end times along with the days of the week you want to set the schedule for.
How to Turn Off Quiet Mode on Instagram ( iPhone or Android )
Here is how you can disable the feature when you are done with your work:
- Open the Instagram app on your phone and go to your profile.
- Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
- Go to Notifications and then Sleep mode.
- Toggle it off.
What Happens When You Put Instagram in Quiet Mode
Although I have covered what happens on quiet mode in the beginning of the blog, let’s get into some more details.
1. Your Push Notifications Go On a Pause
The first thing that will happen is that – your notifications will be paused. It means, no alerts for links, comments, tags, or direct messages. But do not worry, because all these notifications will still be there safely in the app when you end the mode.
2. Your Status Changes to “In Quiet Mode”
Friends who visit your profile or open a chat with you will see an “in quiet mode” badge. There will also be a moon icon next to it. It is an indication that you are on a break from the social media platform.
3. Others Will Get Automatic DM Replies
If someone sends you a direct message, Instagram will send them an auto-reply letting them know you are currently unavailable. It prevents misunderstandings and makes sure people know you are not ignoring them intentionally.
4. You Will Receive a Catch-Up Summary
Once the mode ends, Instagram will show you a summary of all notifications you missed during the period. Here is a screenshot of the notification you will receive.
5. Your Activity Feed Still Works
This is a really great perk. Did you know? Instagram still works the same way even if you set this mode. You will still be able to see posts, write comments and send messages like on normal days. The only difference is that you will not get any notifications about them until later.
In case you missed: How to Download Instagram Reel Audio
Troubleshooting Tips When Quiet Mode Is Not Working on Instagram
Here are some helpful troubleshooting tips for people who encounter problem in using the quite mode:
1. Update Instagram to the Latest Version
This feature only works when you have the latest version of Instagram on your app. So, try updating the app. You can visit the App Store or Google Play Store and see if any updates are available.
2. Check if the Feature Is Available in Your Country
Instagram rolls out new features slowly, so this one might not be in your region yet. You can check this by going to notifications and looking for the quiet mode option. If you cannot see it, then it is not available.
3. Restart Your Phone
It is a good old trick that always work. You can simply restart your phone to refresh system and fix temporary glitches that prevent some features from working properly.
4. Clear Instagram Cache or Reinstall the App
Another trick you can use is – clear the cache. If you are using an Android phone, you can easily do it by going to settings, storage, and then clearing the Instagram app cache.
But there is no such option on the iPhone. So you need to delete and reinstall the Instagram app from the App Store to reset it.
5. Check Your Quiet Mode Schedule
Sometimes people make common mistakes by forgetting a schedule they have already set. Always check the timings you have set in the quiet mode. Because, if you have set it to activate only during specific hours or days, it will turn on outside that time frame.
Quiet Mode vs. Other Instagram Notification Controls
| Feature | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet Mode | Pauses all notifications, updates your status, sends auto-replies, gives summaries | Work, sleep, and study hours |
| Pause All | Pauses all notifications instantly for up to 8 hours | Meetings and quick breaks |
| Mute Chats | Stops notifications from specific DMs or group chats | Avoid spammy threads |
| Snooze Notifications | Temporarily silences all notifications without changing your status | Short breaks |
To put it simply – The quiet mode is best for scheduled Instagram breaks, while other tools are better for selective muting.
Wrapping up
And that’s a wrap on Instagram’s quiet mode feature! It is a simple but powerful tool for taking control of your time online. Whether you need a few hours of peace or want to avoid late-night pings – it is a great way to stay connected on your own terms.
So, if you have been feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications, give quiet mode a try.
FAQs
Yes. You will still be able to check your feed and interact with others but you will not receive notifications until it is off.
Yes, it will hide your status. People will not be able to see the green dot that shows that you are online.
Yes, but you will see them only after sleep mode ends.
No, it is currently only for the Instagram mobile app.
No. You will need to mute that person manually because this feature works for everyone.
Yes, once the set timing ends, it will deactivate on its own.
Yes. Quiet mode only mutes notifications, so they can see messages if they open Instagram.
