Facebook users know who watches their stories. If, for one reason or another, you prefer not to appear on someone’s views list, you’ll be pleased to know there are several methods for watching Facebook stories anonymously.
The process is similar to watching an Instagram story anonymously, so if you’re active on Instagram, this should be a piece of cake.
Quick Summary
You can watch a Facebook story anonymously by going on Airplane Mode while using your device, partially watching the story, deactivating your account, using a third-party application, or blocking the user.
How to Watch a Facebook Story Anonymously
Below, we’ll provide in-depth explanations for each method of viewing Facebook stories anonymously.
1. The Airplane Mode Method
The Airplane Mode method is hit-or-miss, though it enables users to view stories in their entirety. Note that this method only works using a mobile device—not a laptop or desktop computer.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Launch the Facebook app and scroll through every story until each one starts to load.
2. With the Facebook app running, switch your phone to Airplane Mode or disconnect from the WiFi/mobile data.
3. Return to the Facebook app and view the stories you want to see.
4. When you finish watching the stories, force quit the app (close it and ensure it isn’t running in the background by swiping up).
5. Reactivate the WiFi on your device.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a foolproof method for getting each story to load. Occasionally, you’ll receive an error message prompting you to connect to the Internet. Simply repeat the process until it’s successful.
2. The Swiping or Partial Watching Method
While this method is no-miss, it enables users to see only a portion of the story. However, a partial glimpse of a story may suffice if you’re only viewing a photo. If the story is in video format, you’ll only get a view of its thumbnail.
Here’s how to perform the swiping or partial watching method:
- Open a story on Facebook, then hold your finger on either the left or right side of the screen. Swipe left or right without releasing the finger.
- You’ll see almost the entire first screen of the story to the left or right of the one you’re watching.
3. Deactivate Your Account
While this method seems extreme, it works. However, you’ll also lose access to use your account for around 24 hours.
Here’s how to view Facebook stories anonymously by deactivating your account:
1. Log in to Facebook and watch the stories that you want to see as you normally do.
2. Once finished, deactivate your Facebook account. Doing so will eliminate your name from a person’s story views.
Here’s how to temporarily deactivate your Facebook account:
1. Go to Settings & Privacy (click the top right arrow on desktop or the three lines in the top right corner on mobile) then go to Settings – Your Facebook Information.
2. Depending on the device you’re using, you’ll have different options:
- On a desktop, click View next to “Deactivation and Deletion.“
- On mobile, tap Account Ownership and Control – Deactivation and Deletion.
3. Next, choose the option to deactivate your account (not delete) and click Continue to Account Deactivation. Enter your password, and you’re done.
You can reactivate Facebook after 24 hours by logging back into the app. Ensure you deactivate your account as quickly as possible to ensure the user doesn’t see your name listed.
4. New Profile Method
If you prefer not to mess with your existing account, you can create a new one or use a friend’s profile.
However, creating a new profile poses a unique problem—you’ll have to send a friend request to the person you want to see stories anonymously from.
Most people nowadays won’t just add strangers as friends, but why not roll the dice?
5. Block Method
When you block a user on Facebook, they won’t see your profile on their views list. Here’s how to use this method:
1. Log in to your Facebook account and click on the story you’d like to see.
2. Once you’ve finished, block the person.
3. After 24 hours, you can unblock them.
6. Last-Minute Method
Another simple way to potentially avoid being on someone’s views list is to watch their story right before it expires. Just calculate how long the story has been online and view it last minute—its owner will be less likely to check their views.
7. Screenshot Method
If a person you know is a friend of this person and can safely watch their story, you can ask them to send you a screenshot or screen recording.
8. Extensions Method
Another method for viewing Facebook stories anonymously is to use third-party websites and extensions. Some of these apps allow users to download and save Facebook stories. A few helpful Chrome extensions include:
- Story Space
- Anonymous Stories for Facebook
Other apps include:
- Unseen (Android)
- Ghostify (Android)
10. Highlights Method
If you wait until a person’ssStory expires and then turn it into a highlight, you can watch their story without them knowing. Your name won’t display on the list of individuals who viewed the story.
However, there isn’t a guarantee that someone will add the desired story to their highlights.
Can You See Who Viewed Your Facebook Profile?
No. Facebook does not indicate profile views.
Is It Possible To Check Who Has Viewed Your Facebook Story?
Yes. You can view who watched your Facebook story by navigating to the “Viewers” option on the drop-down menu after clicking “Your Story.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Viewing Facebook Stories Anonymously
Can I still know who’s seen my Facebook story without being friends?
Yes. If your account is public, the “Other Viewers” option will tell you who has seen your story. If you prefer not to have strangers view your story, you can restrict story-viewing access to “Friends Only.”
After 24 hours, what happens to Facebook stories?
Facebook stories expire after 24 hours. You can also remove them from your archive.
Conclusion
Regardless of why you’d want to watch a user’s Facebook stories anonymously, we hope the above tips have helped. Let us know if you’ve discovered other methods!