Does Facebook Notify When You Screenshot? - Android Authority

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General technologyDoes Facebook notify when you screenshot?Can you know who captures your content on Facebook? How about Facebook Messenger?By Adam Birney•

August 30, 2025

•0•Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Social media platforms have increasingly adopted privacy measures, such as alert notifications for screenshots. Does Facebook notify screenshots being taken by recipients? In this article, we’ll show you how to set up a Messenger conversation so that you get notified when the recipient screenshots your messages or images.

Keep in mind that while these features aim to protect privacy, there are methods to circumvent such notifications, which we’ll demonstrate.

THE SHORT ANSWER

Most of the time, Facebook will not notify you if someone takes a screenshot of anything, whether it's on the actual Facebook page/app or within Facebook Messenger. The only exception is if you're using Facebook Messenger's disappearing messages.

To do this, go to the specific chat's i menu button or on the name, then tap on Disappearing messages, and select 24 hours. If you enable this, you'll get notifications if anyone takes a screenshot of your messages.

However, be aware that Facebook does not notify you if someone takes a screenshot of your posts.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

• Does Facebook notify when screenshots are taken?
• How to receive notifications for screenshots in Messenger chats

Does Facebook notify when you screenshot?

If you’re concerned about privacy on Facebook, the platform does not notify users when someone takes a screenshot of content on their profile, including posts, images, or anything else. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid sharing anything you might regret later. However, you have the option to remove or hide posts from your profile at any time without deleting your account.

Regarding Facebook Messenger, an update to end-to-end encrypted chats now provides notifications when it detects someone taking a screenshot of a disappearing message. Let’s show you how this works

Can you screenshot a disappearing message on Messenger?

Yes, you can always take a screenshot on both Facebook and Facebook Messenger. The app will never stop you. That said, when disappearing messages are turned on, the app will notify both users if someone takes a screenshot.

How to receive notifications for screenshots in Messenger chats

Before, this required manually entering  what Facebook called a “secret conversation.” These are no longer available, as all chats are now end-to-end encrypted. Now, you will have to activate Disappearing messages to get notifications if someone is taking screenshots of your conversation. Here is how to do so:

1. Launch Facebook Messenger.
2. Open your conversation of choice.
3. Tap on the i icon in the top-right corner. You can also tap on the name at the top (iPhone users only get this option)
4. Hit Disappearing messages.
5. Select 24 hours.
6. Go back to the conversation. New messages will be disappearing messages.
7. Both users will be notified whenever one of the participants takes a screenshot.

FAQs

Can you tell if someone takes a screenshot on Facebook?

Not on Facebook, but you will be notified if someone takes a screenshot of a disappearing message on Facebook Messenger.

How do I activate Facebook screenshot protection?

Unfortunately, you cannot control whether someone else can take a screenshot of your Facebook profile or posts with their device. You can, however, adjust your privacy settings for who can view your profile.

Is it illegal to take a screenshot of a picture on Facebook?

We are not lawyers, and laws change depending on where you live. That said, it is usually not illegal to take a screenshot of a picture on Facebook. However, what can most likely be unlawful is distributing that image elsewhere. That said, you should still do some research on your local laws just to stay on the safe side.

Can you see who screenshots your story on Facebook?

No, Facebook does not notify you if someone screenshots your story. Therefore, it’s best to post things to your story that you feel comfortable sharing publicly.

Why can't I take a screenshot on Facebook?

There should be no reason why you can’t take a screenshot on Facebook or Facebook Messenger. There might be an issue with your phone, Facebook, or the app. If Facebook isn’t working correctly, see our guide on common problems and how to fix them.

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