Download Article
Learn how to DM your friends text, pictures, and videos with our guide
Download Article
If you want to chat with your friends over Instagram, direct messages make it so easy. Direct messages, or DMs, are perfect whether you’re using your phone or computer, and it’s simple to start a conversation with anyone. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to send a DM over Instagram on any platform and answer your most common questions.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
How to DM on Instagram for iPhone or Android
Download Article
-
Tap the chat bubble icon on the Instagram home page. Open the Instagram app on your phone and select the Home tab from the bottom menu. Look in the upper-right area of the screen and tap on the chat bubble icon to open your inbox.
- Instagram will usually load onto the home page when you first open the app. If you aren't on the Home page, tap the house-shaped icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen first.
-
Tap the new message icon in the top right. The icon looks like a pencil and piece of paper in the corner of your screen. Select the icon to open up a brand new message.
- If you already have a conversation going, you can tap the recipient's name in your inbox to open the chat.
Advertisement -
Select your recipient(s). Choose one or more contacts from the list of suggestions, or type someone's username into the "Search" bar at the top to select them in the results. Selecting a single person starts a direct message, but adding more people creates a group conversation. [1] X Research source
- Alternatively, tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen, type the name or username of the person you want to message, and then tap onto their profile. Then, tap Message below their bio to start a direct message.
- While you can send direct messages on Instagram to people who don’t follow you, your chat may go to a “Message Requests” folder and they may not see it in their main inbox.
- If you want to direct message someone with a private account, visit their profile and tap the 3 dots ( ... ) in the top-right corner. Then, select Send Message to start a new chat.
-
Type out your message. Tap on the text field at the bottom of the screen and start writing out what you want to say. If you want to send a photo instead, tap the photo icon to the right of the text field and select one now.
- To record a voice message, tap and hold the microphone. When you lift your finger, the message will automatically send.
- If you want to send a sticker or a GIF, tap the Sticker icon on the far right of the text field.
Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:
How to Message on Instagram from a Computer
Download Article
-
Log in to the Instagram site in a web browser. Any web browser on your computer works for sending a direct message to someone on Instagram, so choose your favorite. Visit https://www.instagram.com and enter your login info to access your account.
- Alternatively, use your Facebook account to log in.
- If Instagram already detects an account you’ve logged into before, then click the Continue as option.
- If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you'll also need to enter a 6-digit code sent to your phone, email, or authenticator app to log in.
-
Select the Messages icon on the left side of the screen. Look for the icon that looks like a chat bubble with a squiggly line inside and click on it. This opens up your Messages list and any other DMs you’ve already had.
-
Click Send Message . Look for the blue button in the panel on the right side of the screen. After you click it, a "New Message" window will pop up in the center of the page.
- If you don't see this button, click the icon that looks like a sheet of paper with a pencil in the top-right corner of the left panel.
- If you’ve already DMed the person you want to message, click on their picture or name from the left panel.
- Alternatively, type the person's name or username into the Search field at the top of the current page, and then click on their profile. Click Message from their profile to send them a message.
-
Select who you want to message. Type a recipient's name next to "To:" in the top search bar. Click on the person’s profile once it appears in the results to add them to the message. You may message a single person or add multiple people to start a group chat. Once you’re finished adding people to the message, click the Chat button at the bottom of the window.
-
Type your message into the text field at the bottom. When you’re finished, tap the Send button or hit Enter to send the message.
- Alternatively, send a photo by clicking the icon that resembles a photo to the right of the Message field. Then, browse your files and click a photo to open it in the chat.
- To send a voice clip, click and hold down on the microphone icon to record your message. When you’re finished, let go of the mouse, and the clip will be sent.
- If you want to send emojis, click the smiley face icon on the right side of the chat window.
- If the person you write doesn't follow you, they’ll receive a message request that they'll need to approve. Once the recipient approves the message, they'll be able to message you back.
Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:
How to Send a Disappearing Message on Mobile
Download Article
-
Tap on the chat bubble icon in the Instagram app. Open the app on your device and look for the icon in the upper-right corner of the Home tab. After selecting it, you’ll see a list of your previous DMs.
- You can also send a message by tapping Message on the top of someone's profile.
-
Tap the new message icon . Look for the pencil and paper icon in the top-right corner. Otherwise, tap the recipient's name in your inbox to open a conversation you already have going on.
-
Select your recipient(s). Choose one or more contacts from the list of suggestions, or type someone's username into the "Search" bar at the top and select them in the results. Selecting more than one recipient creates a group conversation.
- You may only send disappearing photos to people who follow you or have approved your message requests already.
-
Take a picture or video to send. Tap the blue-and-white camera icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen. If you want to send a photo or video, tap the large circle at the bottom to take a photo, or tap and hold it to record a video.
- Swipe through the carousel at the bottom of the screen to choose a filter you want to use for your image.
- Add effects in the menu at the top-left, such as Boomerang to record a short, forward-and-reverse video, or Superzoom to zoom in on a subject with dramatic music.
- If you don't want to send a photo or video, tap Aa in the upper-left corner of the screen to enter Create Mode. Write your message with text, emojis, drawings, music, and more. When you're finished, tap the large circle at the bottom to go to the next screen.
-
Set the viewing duration for your message. Look for the icon on the bottom-left of the screen that lists the different viewing options. Pick one of the following options depending on how long you want the message visible. [2] X Research source
- Choose View Once so the message permanently disappears after someone looks at it once.
- Select Allow Replay to loop the photo or video one more time after someone views it.
- Choose Keep in Chat to keep a preview in the chat thread even after the actual photo or video disappears.
-
Tap Send to send the message. Once you’re happy with your message and settings, click the button near the bottom of the screen. The message will stay in your chat and disappear once opened.
- Remember that the other person can still screenshot the message you send them. You’ll get a notification warning you if someone screenshots your message.
Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionCan I delete photos sent via direct message?Community AnswerYes, you can "unsend" any content that you don't want the receiver to see anymore. This includes photos and text.
-
QuestionCan they receive my DM, even if they don't follow me?Community AnswerYes. They will get a message request and they can still read it before they accept your request.
-
QuestionDo I have to send a picture in order for someone to read a message?Community AnswerNo, you may direct message someone on Instagram without sending them a picture.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
wikiHow Video: How to Direct Message on Instagram
Watch
References
About This Article
Article Summary
X
1. Open Instagram
.
2. Tap the chat bubble or paper airplane.
3. Tap Pencil and Paper
icon.
4. Select a recipient.
5. Tap the "Message" field.
6. Type your message.
7. Tap Send
.
For more help, like how to send someone a message, read on!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,194,056 times.
Advertisement
