Blogging 101 Tutorial:

How to use Instagram Without Sharing on Your iPhone  

Sometimes I want to use Instagram’s photo editing services through my iPhone app, but I don’t feel like sharing it with the world. Maybe I do want to share the photo on a social media site, but have another idea in mind that won’t work through Instagram’s automated sharing options. That’s why I’ve decided to share a simple and easy tutorial with all of you that will explain how to use Instagram without automatically sharing your pictures on your iPhone. These methods may or may not work on another platform, but I am using an iPhone (and iPad), so that is unfortunately all I know!

Earlier today I wanted to edit an adorable photo of my daughter using an Instagram filter, but I didn’t want to post it on Twitter and my personal Facebook profile wasn’t where I wanted the photo to wind up. The picture shows my newborn daughter lounging (as usual) with her pink bib: Click "like" if you think I’ m CUTE - Adorable! I wanted to share the photo on my MamaNYC Facebook fan page and see if any of my spectacular fans would click the "LIKE" button on the photo.. just for fun!

There are two fairly easy and very simple options that you can use whenever you’d like to edit a photo with your Instagram iPhone app, but want to avoid sharing it either on your Instagram account, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Personally, I think Option #1 is going to be your best bet and definitely my first (and only) choice whenever I need to keep an Instagram edited photo private. 

Option #1:

This option has always been the quick and easiest choice since the only requirement is to turn your phone into Airplane Mode. Doing so will turn off the ability to transmit data (both incoming and outgoing) and disconnect your WiFi connection all at once. Incoming and outgoing calls with be disabled, so don’t forget to turn Airplane Mode OFF once you’ve finished using Instagram!

In order to disable all connections and switch your phone onto Airplane Mode, you will need to go to Settings on your iPhone. "Airplane Mode" will be the very first option inside of your settings list. Switch the button into the "ON" position and notice a small airplane icon located on the top lefthand corner of your iPhone.

Now that your phone is in Airplane Mode, open your Instagram app and get to work! Crop and filter your photos without any concern over sharing them on your social media accounts.

Once you’ve finished applying your filters, click "Next" (top righthand corner) and you will be taken to the"Share Photo" page, which is the spot where you would normally choose which network to share your picture(s).

Click "Share" and notice your upload has FAILED ⇒

Instagram cannot make a data connection…

…so your pictures will not be shared on your Instagram profile, Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

If you are using the latest version of iOS on your iPhone, your Photos app will automatically create a separate folder labeled "Instagram", which is where you can locate all of your Instagram edited photos. They will automatically be saved and dropped into this folder for easy access and a quick find in the future. You won’t have to open your Instagram app if you want to retrieve an edited and saved Instaram photo.

Next, open your ‘Camera’ app icon from your homescreen and takee a peak inside of your "Instagram" folder. You’ve avoided sharing your Instagram edited photo on Facebook, Twitter, and your Instagram profile — but you obviously have another purpose or reason for the picture. Retrieve the photo and always find any Instagram edited photos inside of your Camera Roll with an individual folder called "Instagram"!

 if you upgraded to the latest version of iOS, your Photos app will instantly create a separate Instagram folder (this offline folder is not to be confused with your published online Instagram photos). Any edited photos will be placed both in your Camera Roll and in this new folder .

Here’s my finished product! I was able to grab the Instagram edited photo inside of my Camera Roll and do whatever I wanted to do, which did not include any of their sharing options.

SIMPLE STEPS SUMMARY:

[1] Airplane Mode - ON

[2] Edit Photo(s) and apply your Instagram filters.

[3] "Share" – and let the upload FAIL.

[4] Find photo in "Camera Roll".

[5] Airplane Mode – OFF.

Option #2:

Although not recommended and simply not as advisable as Option #1, I am still going to lay out all options so that you can pick the best one to suit your needs and abilities. Another way to use your Instagram filters and avoid sharing them is to delete the photo from your Instagram photo after it has been published.

This method is quite frankly a little ridiculous and can be considered a bit dangerous, too! I would only recommend this option if there is NO way you can put your phone into Airplane Mode (will the world really end if you can’t get an incoming call for 45-seconds? I know, I know. It COULD!). You also should only choose this option if you aren’t THAT afraid of someone catching a glimpse of your photo (even if it’s only for a fraction of a second – if the picture is WAY too risque and you cannot risk someone seeing it, stick with Option #1!). If you are fast, iPhone savvy, and quick with your fingers — give this option a try, but ONLY if you are comfortable knowing someone just MIGHT catch a glimpse before you hit the delete button. 

Perhaps your reason for choosing NOT to share a picture is because it is WAY too private. Although you can go into your Instagram feed quite quickly and have it removed, I would be concerned about someone seeing the picture very quickly if they’re watching your profile at that very second. Plus, like "they" say.. once it is on the Internet, it’s available forever and for ALL. Be careful (and quick!) with this option.

Once you have published your photo and shared it on your Instagram feed, DELETE. The image will still remain in your Camera Roll and Instagram folders on your iPhone.

NOTE: If you delete an Instagram saved picture from your Camera Roll, it will also be removed from the Instagram folder.

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