How to Get Notes in Instagram

Instagram Notes come in text form and last for 24 hours. In that respect, they’re best described as a combination of Twitter posts and Instagram Stories.

However, unlike Instagram Stories, Notes might be more complex, especially for users unfamiliar with this feature. In this article, we’ll tell you how to get Notes on Instagram without a hitch.

How to Create Instagram Notes on iPhone and Android

Instagram Notes are a way to share your thoughts with your followers and see what they’re up to. As mentioned, they stay visible on your account for 24 hours and allow up to 60 characters or emojis. The content shows as a thought bubble above your profile icon in your and other people’s DMs. 

Although some Instagram features have slight differences on iPhone and Android devices, creating Instagram Notes is the same. Here’s how to find and create an Instagram Note on both devices:

1. Open the Instagram app.
   
2. Click on the “Messages” icon in the top right corner.
   
3. Tap your profile photo at the top of your chat list.
   
4. Tap on the field that says “Share what’s on your mind…” and write up to 60 characters.
   
5. Below “Share,” select whether you want to share your Note with all your followers or just Close Friends.
   
6. Tap “Share” in the top right corner and a bubble with the text inside will appear above your icon in “Messages.”
   

Now your friends can see your Note whenever they open the “Messages” section and reply to it. You can also see and leave a message on their Notes. The replies will appear in your chat with that person and only be visible to the two of you. 

How to Delete Instagram Notes on iPhone and Android

Instagram allows you to post only one Note at a time. However, you don’t have to wait for the 24-hour mark to pass until you post the next one. You can always delete it or replace it with a new Note.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Open Instagram.
   
2. Tap the “Messages” icon in the top right corner.
   
3. Tap on your Note.
   
4. Choose between deleting a Note and leaving a new one.
   

How to Mute Instagram Notes on iPhone and Android

If you don’t wish to see other people’s Notes on Instagram, you can mute them just like Instagram Stories or posts.

1. Go to the user’s profile.
2. Tap on “Following” to open a pop-up.
   
3. Go to “Mute.”
   
4. Tap on the button next to “Notes” to mute the user’s Notes.
   

You can also unmute the user’s Notes by following the same steps. In addition, if a user has posted a Note in the last 24 hours, you can also mute their Notes directly from the “Messages” section. To do so, follow these three simple steps:

1. Tap and hold their profile photo.
   
2. Click on “Mute notes.”
   
3. Confirm by selecting “Mute Notes.”
   

Note that only you can see the Notes you’ve muted by going to “Settings and Privacy” and clicking “Muted.”

How to Fix Instagram Notes not Showing on iPhone and Android

Instagram Notes were launched in the U.S. on December 13, 2022, and gradually became available in other countries worldwide. If they’re not showing for you, there are several ways to get them.

Update the Instagram App

If Instagram Notes aren’t showing for you, it might be because your Instagram app needs updating. If you installed the app yourself, you probably know how to update it, too. Here are the steps just in case you need some help:

1. Go to the App Store for iPhone or Play Store for Android devices.
   
2. Search for “Instagram” and click on the icon.
   
3. If there’s an “Update” button, click on it and wait until the app finishes additional downloads.
   
4. Tap “Open” to launch Instagram.
   
5. Click on the “Messages” icon in the top right corner to see if you can add Notes.
   

Switch to Professional Account

If the previous step doesn’t work, try switching to a professional account and back to a personal account. You can also stay on a professional account to access more features.

Here are the steps on how to access Instagram’s professional account:

1. Launch the Instagram app on your phone.
   
2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
   
3. Click on three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
   
4. Select “Settings and privacy” from the pop-up menu.
   
5. Scroll to the “For professionals” section and click “Account type and tools.”
6. Next, tap “Switch to professional account.”
   
7. Click the “Continue” buttons until you reach the area where you can select a category that best describes your business. If you’re going to switch back to a personal account later, the choice doesn’t matter.
   
8. Tap “Done” and then “Next.”
9. The app lets you share logins using the Accounts Centre. You can click “Continue” or “Not now” if you wish to do so later.
   
10. Click on the “X” button in the top left corner.
    
11. Go to the Homepage and click the “Messages” icon in the top right corner.
    
12. The Notes should be there and ready for you to use them.
    

Switch Back to Personal Account

If you want to switch back to your personal account, the steps are slightly different.

1. Open Instagram on your phone.
   
2. Click on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
   
3. Go to three horizontal lines at the top right.
   
4. Tap “Settings and privacy.”
   
5. Select “Creator/Business tools and controls” in the “For professionals” section.
6. Find “Switch account type” at the end of the list.
   
7. Now you can switch back to a personal account or choose a different kind of professional account.
   

When you go back to the “Messages” icon, the Notes should still be there.

Offload and Reinstall Instagram

Another way of getting Instagram Notes is by offloading the app. Offloading is a feature specific to iOS devices. It involves deleting an app’s data and refreshing the cache but keeping all your settings and documents related to the app. This is a great way to clear up some storage on your device without losing all your progress and customization in the app. It will also force update the app to the latest version.

 Here’s how to offload Instagram on your iPhone:

1. Go to your phone’s “Settings.”
   
2. Tap “General.”
   
3. Go to “iPhone Storage.”
   
4. Here, you can see all the apps installed on your phone and how much storage they take. Scroll through the apps until you find Instagram.
   
5. Click on “Offload App” and wait a few seconds.
   
6. Tap “Reinstall App.”
   

Instagram should be updated the next time you open it, and Notes should be available for your account.

Turn On Activity Status

Another reason why you might not see Notes on your Instagram account is your activity status. To check if your activity status is on or turn it on if it isn’t, follow these steps:

1. Open Instagram on your phone.
   
2. Click on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
   
3. Go to three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
   
4. Click on “Settings and privacy.”
   
5. Go to “Messages and story replies” in the “How others can interact with you section.”
   
6. Click on “Show activity status” under “Who can see that you’re online.”
   
7. Tap the button next to “Show activity status.”
   
8. Now, go to messages and see whether Notes appeared above the chat section.
   

Contact Instagram Help Desk

If none of the above methods work, you can always ask for professional help from Instagram’s support team. Here’s how to reach Instagram Help:

1. Open Instagram on your phone.
   
2. Click on your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
   
3. Go to three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
   
4. Click on “Settings and privacy.”
   
5. Scroll down to “More info and support” and tap “Help.”
   
6. Click on “Report a problem.”
   

FAQs

Do other people see when I upload Instagram Notes?

Other people won’t be notified when you post a Note. However, they will be able to see when you posted a Note by tapping on it in their messages.

How do I know if a message in my chat is a reply to my Note?

Just like with Instagram Stories, the platform will mention if the message in your chat is a reply to your Notes by writing “Replied to your note” above the text of a specific Note.

Can I report other people’s Notes?

You can report someone’s Notes by tapping and holding the Note, then clicking “Report” and selecting the problem.

Can I see who viewed my Notes?

Unlike Instagram Stories, you can’t see who viewed your Notes. In addition, other people aren’t able to see who viewed your Notes.

Share Your Thoughts With Instagram Notes

Instagram Notes are different from Instagram Stories, posts, and Reels. They’re a unique way to update your friends about your life. Still, like other new features on Instagram, understanding how Notes work can be challenging at first. Hopefully, this article helped you understand how Instagram Notes work so you can post them without difficulty.

Have you already tried posting your first Instagram Note? If so, did you use any of the tips featured in this article? Tell us in the comments section below.