In this blog post I want to share how to use Private Mode in Midjourney. As I stated in my earlier blog post about Midjourney, you essentially work in a shared space (ie channels) which means your prompt is visible to others working in the same channel.
However as a Paid ad-on you can have Private Mode enabled which means you can create your art knowing that your prompts are safe from prying eyes. I have seen many times in the channels when I have been creating art, some people just copy your prompt and start to create the same work. It is very annoying and frustrating.
I don’t mind if somebody takes inspiration from my prompt and starts to create their own one and using my prompt as a resource. But straight out copy/paste is irritating.
Private Mode
To enable Private mode you need to use the switch in Discord channel (any channel where you can create art). Simply type in /private.
When you type this for the first time you will be redirected to the payment site to add this option (if not already subscribed) to your Subscription. You can see the below example shows: Standard Membership ($30) + Private Access ($20).
Once this is all setup, you can now work in complete privacy but not in any Public Channels. After the private mode is activated you will get an error if you try to run a prompt in Public Channel. In my case though after subscribing it took 4-5 days before I saw this error, until then I was able to use Public Channels (I think this maybe because they manually assign this role to you)
The message you will get will look like this:
Now that you have private mode enabled, make sure your settings are setup correctly to receive DM from the MidJourney bot.
Once you have this allowed, you can get DM from Midjourney bot by using the “envelope” emoji on any image in a Public Channel (your image or other members). I have used it from early days of Beta program so I was able to store my images in a separate channel and not have them get lost in Public channel amongst other members.
Doing this will send the selected image via DM to you. This will be the Midjourney Bot that DMs you. Afterwards you can go to your Direct Message section of your Discord and simply start sending prompts to Midjourney Bot.
Now you are working in complete Privacy interacting with the Midjourney Bot. Use /imagine prompt to start creating.
Public Mode
To revert back to using Public Mode, simply type /public in any of the Public Channels of Midjourney Discord and you will be in Public Mode. This means that you can no longer DM the Midjourney bot and your creations are Public.
Summary
Private mode is a great way to keep your creations private and secure from prying eyes. As the user base increases you may be more inclined to keep your style, prompt and artwork private from others. Its is significant addition to your monthly fee which increases by 60% but its definitely worth it.
Come and have a play with the Midjourney bot on our discord server ArtiumAI.
I am looking for a midjourney invite, been experimenting with Disco Diffusion lately and I am LOVING it. If anyone got an invite and want to share, let mo know! Thank you!
If you are into AI check out our Discord where we are running competitions – one of the rewards is a MidJourney invite. Discord link in the Menu.
I don’t know if you saw already, but Midjourney is now in open-beta. Here is the link to join. https://t.co/O1Qnl6hMgn
Hope this helps & enjoy!
Hello!
Standard Membership ($30) + Private Access ($20) is the amount per month, or one time payment?
This price is monthly. Here is the link to the information about the pricing for Midjourney.
https://midjourney.gitbook.io/docs/billing#standard-membership-usd30-month-offers
Hope this helps. Happy creating!
Will privately created images stay private when I stop paying for privacy mode?
yes
FYI you can message your imagine prompts to the midjourney bot without being private. You only need private if you don’t want your images showing up on the website. I have the standard plan without private and have been doing it this way since I started.
I can’t remember how to message the bot directly. How do I do?
Thanks. Yes, it started annoying me. Just saw some creations using definitely my prompt on a deviantart account. How do I know? It’s like seeing your baby – only in a different dress. And I don’t like it, though I am a fan of open concepts. Think I’ll have to pay. 🙁
get the private options to keep your prompts secret.
Hi, can you make images created before getting private plan, private?
yes, private is optional add-on to keep your prompts private.
Bought private, dont see how to make past images private, got any tips??
correct only images created after Private mode is activated are private
Hi, where is the eye-shaped button placed? I can’t find it.
Already signed out and signed in back.
not sure what you mean.
Would love to see a step by step video on how to go private.
I have a paid account now and would not mind upgrading for privacy as I will be generating things I want to use as featured blog images as well and they should really be as unique as they can be.
I’ll still play in the public rooms but work in private.
Thanks for this post!
I’ve noticed something very odd — the FAQs still has the same pricing as what you’ve listed (and so does some discord explainers I’ve read) but the +20 option is gone when i go to / accounts? In the fine print below it, it reads: We are building a open-by-default community focused on collective exploration and fun. If you have a need to opt-out of this and be private-by-default you can upgrade to a $50/mo private plan at any time by typing /private or purchase a “Corporate” plan.
No mods are answering queries about this in the discord for some reason but the pricing discrepancy is confusing. There’s also a variable cost thingie added if you click “basic” plan (aka above the $10). I mean they can charge whatever they want but the inconsistency in what they say it costs and what they’re charging is very confusing?!
I checked the plans page > the $10 plan with Private is $30. While $30 plan with Private is $50. In both cases adding private option is $20 per month on top of the standard plan fees. As far as I know the plan fee has not changed since the initial subscriptions came out.
is private encrypted for the user or can the AI / research lab use your concept ideas and prompts to develop their AI? How private is private with that price increase?
I believe they record all prompts used in their database. You should refer to their privacy and licensing terms for more details
membership prices are not affordable for all, but fair. private mode prices are not ok. privacy should be given automatically, if desired.
Everyone has a right to choose what works for them and not. Personally I enjoy using their platform to bring my imagination to life and pay extra to keep my prompt secret from other users.
Question: if we switch to private mode after we have already created things in public mode, will it hide our previous creations or only future creations moving forward?
only new images created after Private mode activation will be hidden.
Subscribed to private, love it.
Now I’m looking for a way to select *some* images that are currently private, and make only those selected images visible to others on my profile.
How might I do that?