How to Remove ‘Writing New’ on Instagram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever noticed that little “Writing New” notification appear under your name on Instagram, even when you’re not actively typing a message? It can be a bit perplexing and sometimes even make you feel like you’re being spied on! This indicator is a result of Instagram’s real-time typing status feature, designed to show others when you’re about to send a direct message. While useful, it can also feel intrusive. The good news? There are ways to minimize or effectively remove its appearance. This article will walk you through how to regain some privacy and stop showing ‘Writing New’ when you don’t want to.

Understanding the ‘Writing New’ Indicator

The “Writing New” status appears when you open an Instagram direct message conversation and begin typing, or even when your cursor is active in the text box. It’s intended to let the other person know you’re actively composing a message. The indicator disappears shortly after you stop typing. This feature is enabled by default, so you will likely see it unless you take specific steps.

Methods to Minimize or Remove ‘Writing New’

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t have a direct setting to disable the “Writing New” notification entirely. However, you can utilize a few workarounds to effectively minimize its presence:

Method 1: Type Outside of Instagram

This is the most common and reliable way to avoid the “Writing New” indicator. Here’s how:

1. Open your Notes App or any text editor on your phone.
2. Type your message completely in the external app.
3. Copy the entire message (select all and then copy).
4. Navigate back to your Instagram DM.
5. Paste the copied message into the text box.
6. Send your message.

By typing your message elsewhere, you completely bypass the Instagram typing indicator. This ensures the other person won’t see the “Writing New” status until your full message is already in the text box ready to be sent.

Method 2: Type Quickly and Send

Another method is to keep your typing brief and quick. Since the ‘Writing New’ indicator only appears while you are actively typing, if you type your message very fast, and hit send quickly, the indicator is less likely to be seen.

1. Know what you want to say.
2. Open the DM and quickly type your message.
3. Immediately send your message.

This method may not prevent the indicator from flashing briefly, but it greatly reduces the time it’s visible.

Method 3: Pause and Resume (Less Effective)

This method is less reliable, but sometimes can reduce the visible time of the indicator.

1. Start typing your message in the Instagram DM.
2. Pause for a moment – stop typing completely.
3. If the indicator disappears, resume typing.
4. Send when you are done.

This might cause the ‘Writing New’ to flash on and off, as its determined by when you are actually actively typing, but again it may not be the most efficient method.

Why This Matters

While the “Writing New” indicator might seem insignificant, it can feel like a privacy breach for some. You might not want people to know that you’re composing a message, or you may want to craft your message carefully without being “observed.” By understanding how to use these methods, you’re taking back control over your online communication.

Conclusion

Although Instagram doesn’t offer a direct setting to remove the ‘Writing New’ indicator, these workarounds provide a way to manage your privacy while messaging. Whether you opt for typing your messages outside of Instagram or typing quickly, you can minimize the presence of this typing status. Give these methods a try, and choose what works best for you to enjoy a less observed experience while using Instagram direct messages.