How to hide my Facebook story from someone

In this article, “how to watch someone’s Facebook story without them knowing,” you will get to know the approach you should use to anonymously see someone else’s narrative and not see your identity on the observed people list. Also, you will get to know how to download Facebook stories.

Sometimes, you just want to watch a Facebook story anonymously, for whatever reasons you might have. But this isn’t an easy thing to do.

However, we’re going to guide you today through all the steps that you need to follow to watch somebody’s Facebook story without them knowing.

Hopefully this doesn’t come as a big surprise, but users who post stories on Facebook can see who watched them. If you want to be a bit sneaky, there are ways to do it – although none are ideal.

Just like watching an Instagram story anonymously, watching a Facebook story without the user knowing is not something that can be done by default. Facebook doesn’t allow you to hide yourself from the person who posted the story.

But there are ways to go around this limitation, if you so prefer. Let’s see how!

How to watch a Facebook story anonymously

There are actually few ways for you to watch a Facebook story without them knowing. Neither is ideal, but it’s better than nothing.

1. The “go offline” method

This is the method that works the best in most cases, as it does allow you to watch entire stories anonymously. There is a downside here – it doesn’t work for all stories, although if you try it a few times in a row, it might work.

Have in mind that this only works with the Facebook app on mobile (Android and iPhones alike). Here are the step by step instructions on how to make it work:

1. Launch the Facebook app and scroll through all the stories, so they’re all loaded and shown on your screen.

How to hide my Facebook story from someone
Wait a few seconds (or more) to allow the stories to load on your device.

2. With the Facebook app running, open your phone’s settings and either go to airplane mode or turn off WiFi and/or Mobile Internet.

3. Now go back to your Facebook app and watch any and all stories that you want to see.

4. IMPORTANT: When done watching stories, force quit the app (close it and make sure it doesn’t run in the background by swiping it up).

5. Now you can reactivate the internet on your device.

The problem here is that sometimes not all stories will load and when you try to watch them, you will get an error saying that you have no internet connection.

The only thing you can do is turn the internet back on, reload the stories – try a couple of times as the story you want to see might load and become available offline.

But in some cases, Facebook simply won’t make it available… so you might want to try one of the two other methods below (which are less than ideal).

2. The swiping method

This method always works, but the problem with it is that it doesn’t really let you see the entire story, but get a preview of it.

How to hide my Facebook story from someone

However, depending on the situation, it might be just enough – especially if we’re talking about a photo only.

If it’s video, you will only see the thumbnail. But it’s better than nothing, as I said! Here’s how you do this:

Open a story on Facebook, then hold your finger on either the left or right side of the screen and swipe left or right without releasing the finger.

You will be able to see almost the entire first screen of the story to the left or right of the one you’re watching.

This allows you to see the Facebook stories to the left and right without them knowing. However, this is not ideal because you can’t see more than the preview.

3. Deactivate your account

Wow, this seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it? It is indeed extreme, but it also works. However, it’s not ideal because you won’t be able to use your account for around 24 hours.

But if you’re ready to take it to the chin just to watch a Facebook story anonymously, here is how to do it:

1. Log in to Facebook and watch all the stories that you want to see as you would normally do.

2. Once you’re done with this, you should deactivate your Facebook account. Doing so will not show you among those who watched the story, so you can stay completely anonymous. And you can easily reactivate your Facebook account afterward – once the story is deleted and the data no longer available. Nice trick!

In order to temporarily deactivate your FB account, go to Settings & Privacy (click the top right arrow on desktop or the three lines menu in the top right corner on mobile) then go to SettingsYour Facebook Information.

Now, depending on the platform you’re using, you will have different options:

  • on desktop, click View next to “Deactivation and Deletion
  • on mobile, tap Account Ownership and ControlDeactivation and Deletion

Next, choose the option to deactivate your account (NOT delete!) and click Continue to Account Deactivation. Enter your password and you’re all done!

How to hide my Facebook story from someone

Your account is now deactivated and your name won’t be shown on the list of people who watched the stories you watched. You can reactivate Facebook after 24 hours, by simply logging back into the app.

IMPORTANT: Using this method comes with minimal risks. First, if you reactivate your account before the story you watched is removed from Facebook, you will be shown on the list of people who watched it. This is why it’s best to wait 24 hours, as that’s how much FB stories are live.

Second, if the person who posted the story checks out their stats before you get to deactivate your account, they will see your name listed there. But it’s a minimal risk in my opinion.

4. Optional: creating a new profile

If you really want to go the extra mile, you can simply try to create a new profile. Or ideally use a family member’s profile or a friend’s for this.

Most FB profiles will only show stories to people they are friends with, so the real challenge will be becoming a friend with the person you want to see stories anonymously from.

Most people nowadays won’t just add strangers as friends, but you can give it a try if none of the two methods above work. If the person adds you as a friend, you can watch their stories with your secondary profiles.

While they will see that you watched them – either from the new profile or a friend’s one – they won’t really know it was you who did it. A bit too much trouble, if you ask me – but in the end, it’s your choice to make.

5. Turn on the Airplane Mode

How to hide my Facebook story from someone

When you put your phone on airplane mode, it will no longer be able to connect to the Internet. As a result, when you open a story in Airplane Mode, Facebook won’t be able to identify your account as a Facebook story reader.

Making this move is a piece of cake! Here’s how you should use this technique.

  • Step #1: Log into your Facebook account on your iPhone or Android mobile device. On the home page, you’ll see stories from various people, and you’ll be able to log in using your credentials.
  • Step #2: Once you’ve turned on airplane mode, enter the home page and click on the Story you wish to read. You’ll hear the narrative begin to play.

To ensure that the Facebook app doesn’t operate in the background when you turn off Airplane Mode, force closes it. Why? Because if you do, you can register your name. Close the app outright.

Some stories won’t load if your phone is in Airplane mode. To watch them, you’ll need to turn off the airplane mode and switch it back on.

6. Block Them

How to hide my Facebook story from someone

Another way to avoid being mistaken for one of the onlookers is to use this technique. This option will allow you to see the entire narrative and remove the user from your friend’s list because it entails blocking them.

So, if you’re okay with deleting that person from your friends’ list, you can give it a go. Following this procedure is as follows:

  • Step #1: Log in to your Facebook account and click on the Story you’d like to see in more detail.
  • Step #2: Once you’ve finished, move to step 2. After 24 hours, you can choose to unblock them again.

7. Wait Till The Last Minute To See The Story

Another approach to watching someone’s Facebook story without their knowledge is protecting the narrative when it expires.

By subtracting 24 hours from how long the Story has been online, you can figure out how long it needs to go before it’s finished.

Using the half-swipe method outlined above, you can see how long it’s been up and make sure you don’t accidentally click the Story.

Once you know the time the narrative will end, you can begin watching it. Because you managed it so late, they are less likely to check who viewed their article, which means they won’t see your name on the list.

There is a greater likelihood that you will miss your username if you wait too long.

8. You Can View The Thumbnail If Someone Sends It To You

If a person you know is a friend of this person and can safely watch their Story, you can ask them to email it to you, and you can view the thumbnail in Messenger without clicking it, so you are not included in the list of people who viewed it.

It works best for still images, not video. “You can go one step further and have them capture a screenshot or screen recording of their Story so that you can see it in its entirety without their knowing.

One of the best ways to watch someone’s tale without them knowing is to get their friend to do it for you. A close friend or family member would be a better choice than a stranger because there will be less scrutiny.

9. Ask Someone What Was On Their Story

Asking about someone else’s narrative can save you from having to see it yourself. You may say that you believe it stopped you from watching their tale, so if they could tell you what time they put their Story up, it would be greatly appreciated.

Given the wording, there’s a good possibility someone will tell you who submitted something. You can’t use this strategy unless you know someone who is also friends with this individual.

They may not respond to your direct message if their account is secret or if you do not know anyone who is friends with them.

10. Extensions And Sites

Finally, for individuals who prefer to browse Facebook Stories anonymously, there are solutions to be installed on your computer, Android, or iOS.

These services are available for PC users through a variety of less well-known websites (which we will not include here) and Chrome extensions. Each of these services follows its own set of regulations. Some of the options include:

  • Save Story
  • Chrome FB Story
  • Story Ghost

11. Watch Their Highlights After

If you wait until their Story expires and they turn it into a highlight, you can watch their tale without them knowing because your name won’t display on the list of individuals who viewed the Story.

The key is relying on the other person to transform their narrative into a highlight. You’d have missed out on their tale if they didn’t do it.

If a user highlights a prior post, they can no longer see the list of persons who read the post or go back to view it. Only while the Story is live can they know who’s been watching it and for how long.

Watching it in the Highlights will not reveal to the narrator how many people saw their Story.

Steps To View A Public Facebook Story Anonymously?

How to hide my Facebook story from someone

A function on Facebook allows its users to view public posts. However, Facebook does not provide the names of those not on the user’s friend list but can give the total number of people who have viewed the user’s content.

Those who are not on the person’s friend list remain anonymous.

Even if you don’t have a Facebook account, you can still see the public Story.

  • Step #1: Go to the Facebook login page, sign up for a new account, and create a second one.
  • Step #2: Go to the profile of the individual whose Story you are interested in viewing.
  • Step #3: Click on the profile icon and see if they have posted any stories for public viewing.
  • Step #4: It will not be added to the list of watchers since you see it with a secondary Facebook account that is not a user’s friend and has no ties to the person.
  • Step #5: Facebook does not disclose the name of non-friend viewers.

Can You See Who Viewed Your Facebook Profile?

These questions are common when it comes to using Facebook Stories. Is there a way to see who has seen your Facebook Story? Is it possible to tell who is looking at your Facebook profile?

Facebook allows you to see who has seen your video. One by one, we’ll take a closer look at them.

Is It Possible To Check Who Has Viewed Your Facebook Story?

It’s possible to check who’s looked at your Facebook video or photo uploads when you do so to your narrative. You can only see the list of viewers. Find out how many people have seen your Facebook Story.

To find out who has seen your Facebook story, follow these instructions.

  • Step #1: Go to the Stories section at the top of your feed on Facebook.
  • Step #2: Click on the “Your Story” button to view your Story. To see a list of the people who have been watching, go to the Viewers drop-down menu in the lower-left corner of the screen.

How to Download Facebook Story Anonymously

How to hide my Facebook story from someone

How can you get Facebook stories without giving your name or location away? It’s not possible to store stories anonymously on Facebook. Thus this is the only method to accomplish it.

Instead, you’ll need the “Save Story for Facebook Stories” Android app. You can use it to download Facebook stories anonymously.

Without having to navigate between apps, you can access Facebook and communicate with friends via Messenger, thanks to these handy tools. You can read and view Messages and stories anonymously.

It’s also simple to download private photos and movies using the app.

Blocking Facebook advertisements and sponsored posts, as well as tracking user activity, are all included as well. Facebook also prevents random acts such as “likes” and others.

Other Ways to Download Facebook Stories

You can download Facebook stories can to smartphones and desktop computers. You’ll see three approaches, and you can pick the one that best meets your needs.

Steps To Download Facebook Stories On A Smartphone

You can save only photographs and stories on Facebook on a mobile device or a desktop computer. Tap and hold on to the photo, then tap and hold the save button on your phone.

Save your stories with the ‘Save Story for Facebook Stories’ app on your smartphone. No worries regarding privacy settings; it has a rating of 4.4. 

  • Step #1: In the first step, go to the Google Play Store and download ‘Save Story for Facebook Stories.’
  • Step #2: The second step is to provide everyone’s authority to do whatever they want.
  • Step #3: Enter your username and password to access your account.

Steps to Download Facebook Stories on a PC

To download Facebook stories on a computer, follow the instructions outlined below. To save the picture narrative to your computer, select ‘Save image’ from the context menu with the right-clicking mouse button.

It’s slightly different when downloading video tales to your PC or Facebook online. You’ll need to download a Chrome plugin called Story Saver from the Chrome Webstore.

  • Step #1: Download Story Saver from the Chrome Web Store.
  • Step # 2: Go to Facebook.com and sign in with your Facebook account.
  • Step #3: Open a video from your news feed to complete this step.
  • Step #4: Click the Story Saver Chrome add-on in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
  • Step #5: The extension will begin downloading the video story from Facebook at this point.
  • Step #6: To locate the video tale you’ve just downloaded, navigate to the Downloads folder and choose the Video folder.

The extension may have downloaded a file in a different format than expected. It’s necessary to restart Google Chrome and reload Facebook if this occurs. The Story Saver plugin does not require a login to keep your personal information safe.

The extension can be installed and activated on a Mac, Windows, or Linux computer.

How Do I Watch Facebook Stories From A Browser Without Them Noticing?

If you want to read your friends’ stories and use this international treasure on your computer, you can find out how to do so anonymously here on our website.

While Facebook is incredibly safe and constantly alerts everyone who reads the stories, there is a straightforward way to watch them without anyone realizing it.

Many people use this social network who want to be noticed by others, and they do so by posting tales. They’ll gain more fans this way, but you’ll be able to access their stuff without realizing it because they’ll leave their posts visible.

Following are the steps to view any Facebook user’s stories without their knowledge by bypassing the privacy settings on their public profile.

  • Step #1: Using a web browser, log in to your Facebook account and visit the official Facebook site.
  • Step #2: Copy the URL that shows in your browser after finding the persons whose tales you want to view anonymously.
  • Step #3: Afterward, log out of your web browser and create a new tab in incognito or private mode.
  • Step #4: Afterward, paste the link you already copied and press “Enter” to access Facebook with your buddy’s profile.
  • Step #5: He has made it easier for you to see all of the stuff he has shared, including stories and posts, for all audiences.
  • Step #6: Last but not least, you can use your PC to compose and upload stories to Facebook.

It only hides the private content, so no one will know you’re keeping an eye on their narrative. It’s also possible to view previously deleted photos from your tales by searching the Facebook archive for “stories.”

FAQs

Q1. Can I still know who’s seen my Facebook story without being friends?

A: By clicking on your Story’s link, you may see how many people have seen your article and who they are. If your account is open to the public, you may visit the total number of people who have seen your report by selecting the Other Viewers option.

They don’t tell you anything about themselves, so you have no idea who they are.

Q2. On Facebook Story, what does “Other Viewers” mean?

A: Only public accounts have the option to allow other people to see your content. As a result, once you post a tale to your public profile, the entire world can see it.

However, you can restrict access to friends exclusively if you like. Your Story may have been seen by someone other than the people on your friend list if you have the “other viewer” option enabled.

Q3. How can I save someone’s Facebook Story after viewing it?

A: Story Saver is a Facebook extension that lets you save a friend’s Facebook story. It’s an add-on for Google Chrome. After downloading it, click on an account, which will be held in the Download option once installed.

Q4. After 24 hours, what happens to Facebook stories?

A: After 24 hours, you can remove stories from your story archive. It will only be accessible to you at this time. You can delete your photos and videos if you don’t wish to keep them.

Q5. Is it possible to save the stories from Facebook?

A: You can save anyone’s Facebook story via the Facebook app or Facebook on a computer. Follow the steps outlined in the preceding paragraph. ‘Save Story for Facebook Stories’ may also be used on Android phones.

Q6. How can I download other users’ stories from Facebook?

A: Open additional stories, tap, and hold on to the Story you want to download. To save it, click the download button. If this isn’t the case: Install the app ‘Save Story for Facebook Stories’ on your Android or iPhone to get started.

Then, log in to your Facebook account and click on the link that reads.

Open a story by selecting it from the stories list on the left. The small download button will be visible. Press the button to begin.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it when spying on a Facebook story: 11 alternatives to choose from. It’s impossible to say which is the best – and that’s because Facebook wants complete transparency here. It’s up to you if you’d like to give them a whirl.

Alternatively, you may be bold and watch tales without regard to whether or not the people who uploaded them will know who has seen them. Even if they may not always check to see who saw them, the choice is yours!

How do I hide my story from people?

Tap on the profile icon and click the three lines icon. Then go to Privacy. Here you can peak the Hide story from option, tap on it. Select the people from your followers, and the tap Done.

Can someone still see your story if you hide it from them?

Yes, you can both hide your story from someone and limit their viewing options, in which case they will see your profile and posts but not your stories. Or you can block them completely in which case they will not be able to see any of your content or your profile.

What does hidden mean on Facebook story?

Clicking the "Hide from Timeline" or "Hide from Page" button immediately removes the selected story, photo or update from view. However, using the hide feature doesn't delete the item completely; the hidden story will still appear in other places on Facebook, including news feeds and in search results.

How can you tell if someone blocked you from seeing their story on Facebook?

The only way you can tell for sure is to ask someone else if they can see any posts from that person. If they can see posts that you can't, then you'll know that person has blocked you from seeing their posts. Thanks!