Instagram to let users remove themselves from others’ Close Friends lists

Instagram users may soon have more control over their privacy and social circles. The platform is reportedly developing a new feature that will allow people to remove themselves from another user’s ‘Close Friends’ list, ending years of requests for such an option.

The Close Friends feature, launched in 2018, lets users share Stories, Reels, and posts with a smaller, private audience rather than their entire following. But until now, there has been no way for someone to opt out of being part of another user’s inner circle, even if they preferred not to see their private updates. That might be about to change.

Instagram testing ‘opt-out’ option for Close Friends

TechCrunch reported Instagram is testing a feature that lets users voluntarily leave another person’s Close Friends list. The update was first spotted by Alessandro Paluzzi, a well-known reverse engineer who often uncovers unreleased social media features.

Screenshots shared by Paluzzi show that before a user removes themselves, Instagram will display a warning message. It will inform them that by leaving, they will lose access to that person’s private Stories and Reels, unless the user is added back to the list later.

The feature is still under development and has not been rolled out for public testing. It’s also unclear when Instagram plans to release it globally. However, its appearance in the app’s backend code suggests Meta may soon begin limited trials.

While many users have long requested this option to manage awkward or unwanted social connections, the move could create some social friction. Choosing to leave someone’s Close Friends list might send an unintentional message of rejection, something that could make people hesitate before using it.

Interestingly, rival platform Snapchat already allows users to remove themselves from another person’s ‘Best Friends’ list, a similar feature that curates private interactions based on engagement.

Meta’s bigger plan: subscriptions and AI-powered tools

Beyond the Close Friends update, Meta, Instagram’s parent company, is reportedly preparing to introduce paid subscription services across its family of apps, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The tech giant confirmed plans to test various subscription tiers aimed at unlocking exclusive tools for creativity, productivity, and AI-driven features, while keeping the core apps free.

According to Meta, these subscriptions will be rolled out gradually over the coming months. Each platform will experiment with its own “premium” bundles instead of offering a single, uniform model. The idea is to tailor the paid experience to how users connect, share, and create on each app.

A major part of this shift will involve Manus, an advanced AI assistant recently acquired by Meta for an estimated $2 billion. The company plans to integrate Manus directly into its apps while continuing to offer it as a standalone service for businesses. Early signs of integration have already been spotted, with developers noticing a Manus shortcut appearing within Instagram’s interface.

What it means for users

If implemented, Instagram’s new opt-out feature could make private sharing less one-sided, giving users more control over their participation in others’ curated circles. Combined with Meta’s upcoming subscription services and AI expansion, it signals a new chapter where personalisation, privacy, and monetisation will shape how users interact across its apps.

For now, there’s no confirmed release date, but if Instagram’s recent test history is any indicator, users could start seeing the feature roll out later this year.