How to Create Instagram Highlights Without Posting

Instagram Highlights lets you showcase your best content permanently on your profile, even after a Story expires. But what if you want to add highlights without posting the story to everyone?

In 2025, a few clever workarounds will allow you to create Instagram highlights without posting them publicly. Whether setting up branded covers or organizing past content, this guide will show you how to do it without alerting your followers.

Can You Add Highlights Without Posting to Your Story?

By default, Instagram only allows you to add stories to Highlights if they were posted. However, with a quick trick involving Close Friends or Private Accounts, you can add stories to Highlights without making them visible to all followers.

Method 1: Use the Close Friends List (Recommended)

This is the safest and most effective method to hide stories while adding them to Highlights.

Steps:

1. Go to your Instagram Profile
2. Tap the Menu (☰) > Close Friends
3. Remove everyone from your Close Friends list
4. Now tap your profile picture to add a Story
5. Choose the photo, video, or Highlight cover you want
6. Tap Close Friends when sharing
7. The Story will be posted, but only you can see it

Wait a few seconds, then:

1. View the Story and tap Highlight (♡)
2. Add it to a new or existing Highlight
3. Once added, delete the Story from your profile

Now your Highlight is saved without the Story being publicly visible.

Method 2: Make Your Account Private Temporarily

Switch to a private profile if you don’t want to use Close Friends.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy
2. Toggle on Private Account
3. Post your Story as usual
4. After it’s uploaded, add it to a Highlight
5. Immediately delete the Story
6. Switch back to a Public Account (if needed)

This method works best if you don’t have many followers or are setting up Highlights on a new profile.

Method 3: Block All Followers Temporarily

This is a more extreme option but works in specific cases.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Story
2. Tap Hide Story From
3. Select all followers
4. Post your Story normally
5. Add it to a Highlight
6. Delete the Story and unhide your followers again

This prevents the Story from being seen while making it available to add to Highlights.

Bonus Tip: Use Placeholder Images as Highlight Covers

Following the methods above, you can upload custom Highlight covers without sharing them.

Recommended size: 1080 x 1920 pixels (portrait format)

To update a Highlight cover without posting:

1. Tap and hold the Highlight
2. Tap Edit Highlight > Edit Cover
3. Choose an image from your camera roll
4. Adjust and save

No story needs to be added or posted for this step.

Conclusion

Creating Instagram Highlights without publicly posting your stories is easy when you use smart privacy settings. Whether setting up aesthetic covers or organizing content behind the scenes, these methods give you full control—without spamming your followers.

FAQs

1. Can I upload directly to Highlights without posting a Story?

No. Instagram requires you to post a Story first. However, using Close Friends or privacy settings lets you post it privately.

2. Will followers be notified if I create a Highlight this way?

No. Highlights don’t trigger notifications unless users manually check your profile.

3. Can I edit Highlights later?

Yes. You can rename them, change the cover, and add or remove stories anytime.

4. Are deleted stories still available in Highlights?

Adding a story to a Highlight before deleting it from your story feed will remain in the Highlight.

5. Will using Close Friends affect my regular story settings?

Only for that specific Story. You can add followers to your Close Friends list afterwards.

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