With social media users being more privacy-conscious than ever, the question still lingers: does Facebook alert screenshots? While other applications such as Snapchat and WhatsApp already give users a notification in case their content is screened, most of Facebook’s users have been left asking if the same is practiced on stories, posts, images, and Messenger messages.
In this article, we’ll discuss all you need to know about Facebook screenshot notifications in 2025. We will discuss how Facebook behaves when it comes to screenshots on stories, Reels, profile pages, and Messenger, like its vanishing message feature. You’ll also get some privacy tips and compare it with other social networking goliaths.
Does Facebook Notify Screenshots?
As of 2025, Facebook does not send a notification to users when someone takes a screenshot of their profile, post, story, photo, or video. This includes both private and public information on the Facebook platform.
There is one significant exception, though: when people enable disappearing messages through Facebook Messenger. When users have that feature enabled, which previously was called Vanish Mode, Facebook will send them a notification if someone takes a screenshot of a conversation.
Thus, currently, as of 2025, Facebook does not alert users when another user screenshots stories, posts, photos, Reels, videos, or profile pages. The normal Messenger conversations also do not have any alerts upon screenshotting. The only exception is the vanishing messages on Messenger (then Vanish Mode), where both ends will be alerted if a screenshot is taken while the chat remains open. Facebook values privacy settings more than screenshot limits, thus the users are encouraged to manage their audience and content visibility to be in control of their posted content.
Also Read: Instagram Now Notifies Users When You Screenshot Their Photos
Facebook Stories and Screenshot Notifications
Some of the users are inquiring if it will notify the poster in the event that a Facebook story is screenshot. The answer is no. Facebook does not alert or send a notification when someone screens a story.
Unlike Snapchat, whose foundation is on disappearing messages and notifications, Facebook is all about sharing socially. Your Facebook Stories will be viewed by your friends or your selected audience, but there is no tracking or indication of screenshot activity.
Privacy Tip for Stories
In order to keep your stories safe from screenshottage and abuse, you may have to modify story privacy settings. Facebook lets you restrict story views to Friends, Close Friends, or a Custom group. This gives you some control over who can see your fleeting content.
Facebook Posts, Reels, and Photos
Facebook posts, photos, and Reels screenshots are not tracked as closely. If you screenshot your posted photo, shared Reel, or public post, you won’t be notified.
Whether the post is friend’s only or public, others can screenshot the content of your posts or profile picture that is accessible to them.
Post and Media Privacy Strategies
If you’re concerned about your content being saved or shared, here’s some things you can try to maintain privacy:
- Add a watermark to personal or branded images
- Change post visibility to “Friends” or “Only Me”
- Lock your profile to prevent outsiders from viewing or downloading your images
- Enable profile picture guard to protect your profile image from being copied or downloaded
Also Read: How to View Snapchat Stories Without Them Knowing
Messenger Screenshot Notifications
Facebook Messenger is a very popular messaging platform. There are different behaviors in screenshots depending on the chat category type:
Normal Messenger Chats
When it comes to normal one-on-one or group messaging, Messenger never alerts users whenever someone takes a screenshot. If it is a text message, shared image, or voice note, the sender will never be notified that someone took a snapshot of the content.
Disappearing Messages in Messenger
Messenger does alert screenshots in a particular situation: when disappearing messages are on. The feature, created from Vanish Mode, enables users to send self-destructing messages that expire after being opened or within a set time limit.
When a screenshot is captured in a disappearing message conversation, both parties will be alerted. This is Facebook’s means of implementing a layer of privacy for ephemeral and sensitive content.
How to Enable Disappearing Messages:
To turn on this privacy feature:
1. Start a one-on-one chat on Messenger.
2. Tap the recipient’s name at the top.
3. Select “Disappearing messages” and select your preferred timer.
4. The messages will vanish after the specified time, and any screenshots will notify the sender.
Also Read: How You Can Save Snapchat Stories
Facebook Profile Page and Screenshot Behavior
Facebook will never inform you when your profile has been screenshot. Individuals who are able to view your public details can screenshot your profile picture, cover photo, about section, or public posts.
To restrict unwanted exposure, check your privacy settings and restrict the information which is publicly visible or accessible to non-friends. You can also restrict who can view your friends list, tagged photos, etc.
Does Facebook Inform When You Save a Photo?
Saving or downloading a photo from a picture on Facebook does not inform anyone. No one will be informed, including the original post owner, if a person downloads an image by clicking on the right mouse button or any third-party app.
How to Prevent Photo Misuse
Although Facebook does not inform users of saving pictures, the following may be done to protect your photos:
- Use visible watermarks to discourage illegal use.
- Alter the privacy of each photo album or individual image.
- Avoid uploading sensitive images or high-res pictures to the public.
Why Facebook Doesn’t Notify Screenshots
Facebook is a sharing-of-content site and not one that limits it. In contrast to Snapchat, which is founded on ephemeral, secretive sharing, Facebook centers on longer-term engagement and user-generated content.
Instead of using screenshot alerts, Facebook offers users detailed privacy controls. You can limit who sees your content, lock your profile, and refuse view access by non-friends for your data. This method allows users to manage their content without being required to look out for screenshots.
Also Read: What Happens When you Remove Someone on Snapchat?
Facebook vs. Other Sites: Screenshot Notifications
Every social media platform treats screenshots a little differently. Here’s how Facebook stacks up against the other popular apps in 2025:
Different social networks react in varying ways to screenshots. Snapchat will alert the user if someone screenshots Snaps or Stories. Instagram will not alert users unless it is for Vanish Mode messages. WhatsApp will only alert the user if someone screenshots “View Once” media. Twitter (previously X) will not track screenshots whatsoever. Facebook will also not alert users, except when disappearing messages are enabled in Messenger. The method of Facebook provides users with more autonomy but places the onus of content privacy management on the user.
Content Privacy Best Practices for Facebook Users
If you’re concerned about your content being captured or misused through screenshots, consider implementing the following privacy strategies:
- Lock your profile to prevent strangers from viewing your content
- Use the “Only Me” option for personal albums or posts
- Activate disappearing messages for personal conversation
- Avoid posting high-definition or identifiable pictures publicly
- Cleanse your friend list regularly and delete inactive or unknown accounts
- Taking proaction early on with your content settings can put more in your hands, even within a site that does not save screenshots.
Facebook Screenshot Notifications: FAQs
Will Facebook tell you if someone screenshots your story?
No, Facebook will not tell you if someone takes a screenshot of your story.
Can I turn on screenshot protection on Facebook?
No, Facebook doesn’t support screenshot protection. Other individuals can screenshot your stuff without your permission.
Can I find out who screenhotted my Facebook story?
No, Facebook won’t tell you whether someone screenshots your story. You do know who looked at it.
Is Facebook notifying when a person downloads or saves my photo?
No, Facebook won’t alert you if someone saves, downloads, or takes a screenshot of your photos.
Does Messenger notify screenshots?
In regular chat: No notification is given.
In Vanish Mode: Yes, Facebook will alert you if someone takes a screenshot of it.
How do I protect my content on Facebook?
Limit your group, use features for privacy, and enable Vanish Mode for private messages.
Summary: Facebook won’t notify you about most screenshot takes, but only through Messenger’s Vanish Mode.
Conclusion
As of 2025, when writing this, Facebook still doesn’t notify via screenshots for the majority of its features. Screenshotting a story, post, or profile will not alert the original creator. The exception so far is Facebook Messenger’s disappearing mode message, where users get warned if they are screenshotted while in an exclusive chat.
Though this does give some freedom, it relies on users to be in control of their own privacy. Utilizing Facebook’s own features and settings, you can control who sees your content and reduce the chances of sharing you don’t want.
If you want to keep your social media account safe, make sure you continuously review your privacy settings and examine third-party applications that can improve how you manage and protect your Facebook content securely.