How to see only Stories on Instagram, without Reels (2026)
We found no Stories-only mode in Instagram's help. The closest you can get in the app: open Stories from the row at the top of your feed, and mute the posts, but not the Stories, of accounts whose posts you don't want to see. Instagram doesn't tell them. The Reels and Explore tabs are still one tap away, though. If you only open Instagram for friends' Stories and DMs, minulo shows Instagram with the Reels and Explore tabs and suggested posts hidden, with Stories still at the top. Hiding is free.
Written by Ayumu Kitabayashi, the developer of minulo. Facts about Instagram and iPhone come from the sources listed below, checked on 2026-10-24. Menu names can change with app updates.
| Method | What you get | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Stories row at the top of the feed | Friends' Stories, one tap from opening the app. | The feed, Reels tab and Explore are right there. |
| Mute posts, keep Stories | That account's posts leave your feed; their Stories stay. | One account at a time. |
| Following feed | Only accounts you follow, no suggested posts. | It doesn't stay. Instagram opens to the usual feed next time. |
| minulo (free, iPhone) | Instagram with Reels, Explore and suggested posts hidden. Stories stay at the top, DMs work. | You can watch Stories but can't post them in minulo. |
Is there a Stories-only feed on Instagram?
No, as far as we can tell. Instagram's help covers muting people, the Following and Favorites views and many feed settings, but none of them turns Instagram into Stories only. Stories sit in a row at the top of your feed, so the quickest route is to open the app, tap the first circle, and close the app when you're done. The catch is the same every time: the Reels tab is at the bottom of the screen the whole time.
Mute someone's posts but keep their Stories
From their profile:
- Open their profile, by tapping their name on a post or Story or by searching.
- Tap Following below their profile info.
- Tap Mute.
- Turn on Posts and leave Stories off.
From your feed: tap Options next to their post, tap Hide, then Mute [username] › Mute Posts (not Mute Posts and Story). Instagram won't let them know, and muting is not the same as unfollowing. Notes they share still show up.
Cut suggested posts with the Following feed
If posts from strangers are the problem rather than posts in general, tap Instagram at the top left and choose Following. You'll see posts from accounts you follow, newest first. Instagram doesn't remember this choice. See how to see only people you follow.
Watch Stories without Reels in minulo
minulo opens Instagram's official website inside an iPhone app. With the gear next to Instagram you can hide the Reels and Explore tabs and suggested posts, one switch each. Stories stay at the top of the feed and Messages opens straight from the minulo home screen, so checking a friend's Story no longer sits one tap from the Reels feed. Hiding is free.
What it can't do: posting Stories, voice messages and calls aren't available, because Instagram's website doesn't have them. If you also lock the official app with minulo, its notifications don't arrive while it is locked, and minulo sends none. minulo is iPhone only.
Can I see only Stories on Instagram?
We found no setting for that in Instagram's help. You can open Stories from the top of the feed and mute posts from accounts while keeping their Stories, but the Reels and Explore tabs stay. To hide those, open Instagram in an app such as minulo.
How do I mute someone's posts but still see their Stories?
Go to their profile, tap Following › Mute and turn on Posts only. Or tap Options next to one of their posts › Hide › Mute [username] › Mute Posts.
Will someone know if I mute their posts on Instagram?
No. Instagram's help says it won't let them know you muted them. Muting is also different from unfollowing: you still follow them.
Can I watch Instagram Stories in minulo?
Yes. Stories stay at the top of the feed when you hide Reels and Explore in minulo. Posting Stories is not available, because Instagram's website doesn't support it.
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