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How to turn off Instagram’s new Instants feature and retract photos you accidentally shared
Yesterday, Instagram globally released a new feature called “Instants” that’s designed for sharing authentic, disappearing photos. While the Meta-owned social network billed Instants as a new format to share real-life moments as they’re happening, many users are looking for a way to turn off the feature, especially those who have ended up accidentally sending images to others, not fully understanding how the feature works.
When you open up Instagram’s new Instants section for the first time by tapping the mini photo stack in the bottom-right corner of your inbox, the app opens up a brief introduction about the feature that informs users that Instants disappear, there’s no viewers list, and that reactions and replies are private. The app then quickly takes you through the process of viewing and reacting to Instants.
Once you get to the camera, underneath it is a shutter button, and below that is a toggle that lets you choose between “Friends” and “Close Friends.” By default, it’s set to “Friends.”
What Meta doesn’t immediately make users aware of is the fact that the moment you tap the shutter button, the photo that’s captured is automatically sent to everyone on your Friends list, unless you manually switch the setting to “Close Friends” beforehand.
Since the process of sending an image isn’t clearly explained, many users have ended up accidentally sending a photo to others they didn’t intend to. (It’s worth noting that Meta does offer an “undo” option once a photo has been sent, but it’s easy to miss because the whole experience of accidentally exposing yourself to others can be quite jarring.)
On an app like Instagram, where users are accustomed to reviewing and carefully curating their content before sharing it, the feature’s instant-send design has understandably frustrated many people, considering their privacy is at stake.
Unsurprisingly, many users are looking for ways to disable the feature. We’ll walk you through how to turn it off and how to unsend a photo if you accidentally shared one.
How to turn off Instants
To turn off the new Instants feature, you need to go to your profile, click the three-line menu at the top right to open up your settings. Then, you need to scroll down to “Content Preferences” and then toggle the “Hide Instants in Inbox.”
Once you select this option, you will no longer see the Instants feature in your inbox. You also won’t see any Instants that people have sent you.
If you don’t want to turn off the feature altogether, you can hold down the pile of Instants in your inbox and swipe right to temporarily stop receiving them.
How to undo an Instant
As soon as an Instant is sent, an “Undo” option appears beneath the shutter button, allowing you to quickly retract the photo before recipients view it.
Additionally, you can go to your archive by selecting the four-box icon located at the top right of the camera and delete an Instant to unsend it to friends who haven’t opened it yet.
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Described as the youngest Igwe Plateau State has ever had, his coronation is being celebrated as a new beginning for the Igbo community in the state.
The new traditional leader has pledged to unite the Igbo community, promote peaceful coexistence with their host communities and contribute to the development of Plateau State.
Earlier after the election in his acceptance speech, Nwosu thanked members of the Igbo community for their overwhelming support and pledged to unite the various factions while promoting peace, harmony and cooperation.
He called on members to put their differences aside, stressing that no society could achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of division and rancour.
Nwosu also reaffirmed the community’s commitment to contributing to Plateau State’s economic and commercial development, while expressing readiness to partner with Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration.
Similarly, the President-General of the Igbo Community Association in Plateau State, Chief Chidi Onah, congratulated Nwosu, describing his election as a demonstration of unity among Igbo-speaking people.
Onah called on members to rally behind the new traditional leader, noting that the community must speak with one voice and work together to advance its collective interests.
The ceremony attracted representatives of the six Igbo-speaking states, as well as representatives of the Council of Chiefs representing Igbo communities across Plateau State.
Other special guest present were the Chief of Bayelsa and Senior Special Adviser to the Plateau State Governor on South-South Affairs, Hon. High Chief Seigha Smooth Ebide, and Hon. Ikenna Mbanefo, former Special Adviser on Igbo Affairs to the immediate past Governor of Plateau State.
A NEW BEGINNING FOR NDIGBO IN PLATEAU STATE!
Congratulations to the new Oche Ndi Igbo IV!
The Obi-Kwankwaso (OK) Movement in the United Kingdom has criticised the Coordinator of the Obidient Movement and the Director-General of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Campaign Council over alleged preoccupation with political disputes rather than their assigned responsibilities.
The UK Coordinator of the OK Movement, Adebayor Brown, made the criticism in a statement on Tuesday, urging political appointees to focus on organising, mobilising supporters and strengthening political structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Brown expressed concern that the attention of the political actors appeared to have shifted from their responsibilities to what he described as unnecessary personal and political disagreements.
He said the approaching 2027 elections required serious leadership, strategic planning and grassroots mobilisation, adding that those entrusted with important positions must demonstrate commitment to their assignments.
Brown particularly faulted repeated claims by the Obidient Movement coordinator that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had distanced themselves from the OK Movement.
He questioned the relevance of repeatedly making such claims, asking how they would contribute to the success of the party or advance the democratic aspirations of Nigerians.
He urged the Obidient Movement coordinator and other political actors to focus on rebuilding, revitalising and restructuring the organisation, noting that the responsibility required leadership, organisational competence and measurable results.
Brown also insisted that any position concerning Obi and Kwankwaso should be established through clear and verifiable communication rather than individual assertions.
He called for an end to what he described as divisive rhetoric, stressing that the OK Movement, Obidient Movement and NDC should not be regarded as enemies.
According to him, the groups face a common democratic challenge ahead of the 2027 elections and should prioritise mobilising Nigerians, strengthening political structures and working towards credible elections.
"The OK Movement and the Obidient Movement are not enemies. Neither is the OK Movement in conflict with the NDC," he said.
Brown added that the OK Movement would not be distracted or intimidated by criticisms, insisting that its commitment remained focused on justice, equity, fairness, credible elections and a better Nigeria.
"The time for division is over. The time to work is now," he declared.
2027: NDC campaign DG, others have abandoned their duty, focusing on disputes – OK Movement
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