Yes, can I send a story to one person on Instagram? Absolutely! You can share it privately using Close Friends or by sending it via Direct Message (DM). This ensures only the selected person can view your story while keeping it private.
Stay tuned with us! We will talk about can I send a story to one person on Instagram? and the best ways to share stories privately.
Can I send an Instagram story to only one person?
Yes, you can absolutely send a story to just one person on Instagram! If you don’t want to share it with all your followers, Instagram gives you two simple ways to do this.
- Use the Close Friends feature – Add just one person to your Close Friends list and post your story for Close Friends only. That way, only they can see it.
- Send it as a Direct Message (DM) – Instead of posting the story publicly, tap the send (paper airplane) icon and choose the person you want to share it with. They’ll receive it in their DMs, just like a private message.
So, if you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” – the answer is yes, and it’s super easy!
How do I send an Instagram story to a specific person only?
If you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” – the answer is yes, and it’s super easy! You have two simple ways to do it:
Send Your Story as a Direct Message (DM)
- Create your Instagram story as usual.
- Before posting, tap the send (paper airplane) icon).
- Select the specific person you want to share it with.
- Tap “Send” – they’ll receive it privately in their DMs.
Use the Close Friends Feature
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap the three-line menu (☰).
- Select “Close Friends” and add only the person you want to see your story.
- When posting your story, choose “Close Friends” instead of “Your Story.”
- Now, only that one person can see it!
So, next time you think, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?”, just use one of these two methods to keep it private and personal!
Will the person know they are the only one seeing my Close Friends story?
No, the person will not know that they are the only one seeing your Close Friends story. Instagram does not notify users about how many people are on your Close Friends list or if they are the only one on it.
When you share a story with Close Friends, the person will see a green circle around your story instead of the usual pink/orange one. However, they won’t know if they are the only one or if others are also on your Close Friends list.
So, if you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” using Close Friends, yes, you can! And the best part? They won’t know they’re the only one!
Can I send a disappearing Instagram story to one person?
Yes! If you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?”, and want it to disappear after they view it, Instagram has a feature for that.
Here’s how you can send a disappearing story to one person:
- Open Instagram and tap the camera icon to create a story.
- Take a photo, record a video, or upload one from your gallery.
- Instead of posting it to your story, tap the send (paper airplane) icon.
- Select the specific person you want to send it to.
- Choose “View Once” before hitting send.
Once they open it, the story disappears immediately unless they replay it or take a screenshot. If you select “Allow Replay”, they can watch it again before it disappears.
So, yes! You can send a disappearing story to just one person on Instagram. It’s a great way to share something privately without leaving a trace!
Can I remove someone from seeing my Instagram story?
Yes! If you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” but later decide you don’t want someone to see it, you can easily remove them.
Here’s How to Hide Your Instagram Story from Someone:
- Go to Your Instagram Profile and tap the three-line menu (☰).
- Select “Settings & Privacy” > “Hide Story and Live” under “Who Can See Your Content.”
- Tap “Hide Story From” and select the person you want to block from seeing your stories.
Alternative Ways to Control Who Sees Your Stories:
- Use Close Friends – Only add people you trust, so others don’t see it.
- Manually Remove a Follower – Go to their profile, tap “Remove” if they follow you.
- Block the Person – If you want full privacy, blocking them prevents them from seeing anything on your profile.
So, if you were asking, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram and later remove them?” – Yes! You’re always in control of who sees your content.
Can I see if someone screenshots my private Instagram story?
No, Instagram does not notify you if someone screenshots your private story, even if you use the Close Friends feature. Whether you share it with one person or a select few, you won’t get any alerts if they take a screenshot.
However, there is one exception:
Instagram does notify screenshots for disappearing photos and videos sent via Direct Messages (DMs). If you send a disappearing story to one person in DMs (using the “View Once” or “Allow Replay” option), you’ll see a small starburst icon next to their name if they take a screenshot.
So, if you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” and be sure they won’t screenshot it—there’s no way to prevent it for regular stories. If privacy is a big concern, sending a disappearing message is a safer option!
Yes, you can edit your Close Friends list anytime, but it won’t affect stories you’ve already posted.
If you remove someone from your Close Friends list after posting a story, they will still be able to see that story until it expires (after 24 hours). The change will only apply to new stories you post.
How to Edit Your Close Friends List:
- Go to Your Profile and tap the three-line menu (☰).
- Select “Close Friends” from the menu.
- Add or remove people from the list.
- Tap “Done” to save your changes.
So, if you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” and later adjust your Close Friends list—yes, but remember, it only affects future stories!
What happens if I send a story to someone via DM?
When you send a story to someone via DM (Direct Message) on Instagram, here’s what happens:
If You Send Your Own Story
- The person will receive it in their direct messages as a clickable link.
- They can view it as long as the story is still live (within 24 hours).
- They can react, reply, or share it (unless your settings restrict sharing).
If You Send a Story as a Disappearing Message
- If you choose “View Once”, they can only watch it one time before it disappears.
- If you select “Allow Replay”, they can watch it twice before it vanishes.
- If they screenshot it, Instagram notifies you (for disappearing photos/videos only).
If You Share Someone Else’s Story
- If their account is public, the person you send it to can view it.
- If their account is private, only their followers can see it.
- If resharing is disabled, you can’t send it to anyone.
So, if you’re wondering, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?”, sending it via DM is a great way to privately share it!
Can I delete a story I sent to one person on Instagram?
Yes! If you’ve sent a story to someone via DM (Direct Message) and want to delete it, you can unsend it anytime.
How to Delete a Story Sent via DM:
- Open Instagram and go to your DMs (Direct Messages).
- Find the conversation where you sent the story.
- Long-press the message (the story you sent).
- Tap “Unsend” – this removes the story from the chat for both you and the recipient.
If you posted the story publicly or to Close Friends, you can also delete it from your story:
Go to Your Story > Tap the three dots (⋮) > Select “Delete”.
So, if you’re asking, “Can I send a story to one person on Instagram?” and later change your mind—yes, you can delete it anytime!
Why can’t I send my Instagram story to one person?
If you’re having trouble and wondering, “Why can’t I send my Instagram story to one person?”, here are some possible reasons and fixes:
The Person Has Restricted or Blocked You
If someone has restricted or blocked you, you won’t be able to send them your story via DM.
Fix: Try messaging them normally. If your messages don’t go through, they may have blocked you.
Your Instagram App is Outdated
Older versions of Instagram may have bugs that prevent you from sending stories.
Fix: Go to your app store and update Instagram to the latest version.
Instagram’s Privacy Settings Limit Sharing
If the person has turned off message requests or restricted who can DM them, you might not be able to send your story.
Fix: Ask them to check their Message Privacy Settings (Settings > Privacy > Messages).
Instagram’s Servers Are Down
Sometimes, Instagram has temporary issues that prevent story sharing.
Fix: Check sites like Downdetector to see if Instagram is down. If so, wait and try again later.
Your Account Has Temporary Restrictions
If Instagram detects unusual activity (like sending too many messages), it might temporarily limit your ability to send stories via DM.
Fix: Wait a few hours and try again. If the issue persists, check for a warning in Settings > Account Status.
FAQ’s
Can I send a story to one person on Instagram without using Close Friends?
Yes! If you don’t want to use the Close Friends feature, you can send your story directly via DM (Direct Message). Just create your story, tap the send (paper airplane) icon, select the person, and hit “Send”. They’ll receive it privately in their messages.
Can I stop someone from sharing my Instagram story with others?
Yes, you can prevent someone from sharing your story by changing your settings:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Story
- Turn off “Allow Resharing to Stories” and “Allow Sharing as Messages”
This way, even if you send a story to one person, they won’t be able to forward it to others.
3. Can I send a story to one person on Instagram without them knowing?
No, they will know that you sent them a story if you send it via DM. However, if you post it using Close Friends, they won’t know if they’re the only one on your list.
Can I recover a story I deleted after sending it to one person?
No, once you delete or unsend a story, it cannot be recovered. If you sent it as a disappearing message, it’s gone once they view it (unless they took a screenshot).
5. Can I send an Instagram story to one person without following them?
Yes, but only if their DMs are open to messages from people they don’t follow. If their privacy settings block non-followers, you won’t be able to send them your story unless they follow you back.
Conclusion
Yes! You can send a story to one person on Instagram using Close Friends or DMs. You also have full control—hide stories, remove people, or unsend messages anytime. If you face issues, check your app updates, privacy settings, or account status. Keep your stories private and share wisely!