Instagram, a widely used social media platform, continuously introduces new features to enhance user experienceinstagram account.
These additions aim to facilitate connections between users and provide access to relevant content on their Instagram account. Among these features is the “Active Now” function. This feature allows users to see when the people they follow are currently using the app.
Additionally, a green dot on Instagram next to a user’s name signifies their online status. Despite its intended purpose, the Active Now feature has caused confusion among users due to its occasional inaccuracies. Let’s explore the true meaning of Active Now on Instagram.
What is the significance of ‘Active Now’ on Instagram?
Your activity on their Instagram account status is visible only on Instagram Direct or Instagram Messenger app running in the background if you’ve updated to the newer messaging system that integrates Facebook and Messenger. Others cannot tell if you’re online just by viewing your posts or stories. 
In Instagram Direct or Messenger, you can view all your chats and their timestamps. If you follow someone, and they follow you back, you can see if they are online. “Active Now” indicates that the other person is currently using Instagram, whether browsing posts, accessing messages, creating Reels, or simply leaving the app open.
You’ll notice a green dot on Instagram next to their profile picture along with the “Active Now” status. This information isn’t available if the person hasn’t followed you back or sent you a DM on Instagram.
However, on Meta Facebook or Facebook Messenger, being friends is sufficient to view someone’s online status. Regardless, if you see someone is active on Instagram now, they also see the same about you.
Is the ‘Active Now’ feature reliable?
Sometimes, you might show notice that a friend appears inactive even though they recently posted something. Delays and glitches in the activity status feature can lead to confusion. Therefore, it’s important to note that the Active Now status isn’t always precise.
Reports indicate that some users experience delays of up to ten minutes before the activity status updates. The same applies to the Last Seen feature. Just because it shows someone was online 20 minutes ago doesn’t guarantee accuracy, as they might have become busy suddenly. 
Instagram may incorrectly display friends as “Now Active” due to various reasons, including:
- Slow internet connection on the user’s end, causing data delays or loss, especially on mobile devices or busy public Wi-Fi great community networks.
- Your own slow or unreliable internet connectivity, resulting in delayed data reception or corrupted/lost data packets, primarily on mobile devices or congested public Wi-Fi networks.
- The user may have disabled their activity status on Instagram.
- Your follower’s device (phone/tablet/PC) may be running slow due to resource limitations, such as having multiple apps open or experiencing freezing processes causing delays.
- The other person’s device may have accumulated a cache that needs to be cleared, leading to inaccurate information.
- Your device may be using the previously stored cache, which interferes with the follower’s current status.
- Your follower may have Instagram running in the background, depending on their device settings and active processes.
- Your follower might have opened Instagram through a link but immediately closed the Instagram app after viewing it, resulting in a delayed activity response.
- The follower might have recently closed or minimized Instagram, causing a small delay in status updates.
What happens if you don’t see the green dot?
If you’re sure a mutual follower is online but don’t see the green dot, there might still be actively using Instagram be a minor glitch or delay. Technology isn’t flawless. 
However, it’s probable that the user has disabled their activity status in Instagram’s device settings allow Instagram to refresh, as mentioned earlier. Don’t hesitate to send a message despite the absence of the green dot—most users have notifications enabled if their Instagram app is still running.
Additionally, Instagram provides read receipts, so you’ll be notified once your message is read.
How to Turn Off the ‘Active Now’ Feature in Instagram on Android/iOS/iPhone
If you’re concerned about your privacy on Instagram, you may wish to turn off your activity status on your phone.
It’s straightforward, but keep in mind that this also means you won’t be able to see others’ activity status on Instagram. Here are some tips and tricks on how to turn off the Active Now feature in the mobile Instagram app:
- Tap on your profile icon located in the bottom-right corner of the IG app.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines at the top right of the screen (also known as the “hamburger” icon).
- Select “Settings and privacy.”
- Scroll down and choose “Messages and story replies.”
- Tap on the “Show activity status” option.
- Disable “Show Activity Status.”
Once you’ve turned off your activity status, your friends won’t be able to see when you’re active, and you won’t see theirs either. Now that you comprehend the meaning of Instagram’s ‘Active Now’ feature, you’re aware of its pros and cons.
You also know how to deactivate the status feature if it poses issues for you. However, turning it off could potentially lead to relationship problems with your bf. Society should aim to reduce its dependence on technology, but achieving this goal is unlikely.
