How can i check my instagram messages


How to Check Your Instagram Messages

Device Links

  • Android
  • iPhone
  • Chromebook
  • Mac
  • Windows
  • Device Missing?

Instagram started as a photo and video-sharing social platform. After a while, it introduced comments and direct messaging to encourage more interaction between users. These days, Instagram has all the features of a modern messaging app.

You can send text messages, upload photos in your DMs, and even make video calls. You can do it all, whether you want to send out a private message or send notifications in bulk. Check out a few ways the platform allows you to check your messages on any device and a few tricks and workarounds for some pesky privacy issues.

How to Check Your Instagram Direct Messages (DMs) on the iPhone App

  1. Launch the Instagram app and log in with your credentials.
  2. From the home screen, tap the mail icon.
  3. Tap on any message to bring up the entire conversation.

When you log into the app, you’ll notice the number of unread messages. It’s marked in red over the Mail icon. As you browse your unread DMs, you’ll notice that the app lists them from most recent to oldest.

How to Check Your Instagram Direct Messages on the Android App

If you’re using an Android device, the process is the same. Unlike other apps, Instagram for iPhone and iOS is basically the same. That includes the wording on various settings and features.

  1. Launch the Instagram app and log in.
  2. Select your account, if you have multiple.
  3. Tap the mail icon in the upper right corner
  4. Read the newest messages.
  5. Tap on any message to bring up the entire conversation and the reply box.

How to Check Your Instagram Direct Messages on a Windows, Mac, or Chromebook Browser

If you don’t have your phone on you, you can always use the browser to check your DMs. Instagram’s official website interface does an excellent job of providing you with a smooth user experience.

  1. Visit Instagram’s official website.
  2. Log into your account.
  3. Click on the Messages icon (paper airplane icon in the upper-right corner).
  4. Scroll through the conversations featured in the left pane.
  5. Click on a message to open it in the right pane.

When you reply from the desktop browser version of Instagram, you can include emojis and photos from your drive.

Instagram also offers a Windows 10 desktop version of the app. You can use this instead of a browser to manage your profile and read or exchange messages.

  1. Log into the Microsoft App Store.
  2. Type in Instagram and search for the app.
  3. Select the app and click Install.
  4. Launch the app and sign in using your credentials.
  5. Click on the paper airplane icon in the upper right corner of the home screen.
  6. Click on unread messages to expand the box and read them.

Note that you can enable camera and microphone access for PCs and laptops. However, on Windows 10, microphone access is off by default for the Instagram app. You may press the enable button many times without success.

Instead, enter your Windows privacy settings (Win key + I). Select Privacy. Click on the Microphone tab and scroll down until you find the Instagram app. Change the settings to enable the microphone.

Another way to check Instagram on a computer is via an Android emulator, like BlueStacks or Nox. Install either emulator on your OS. Go to the app store and search for Instagram. Once you find the app, install it.

Launch the app, and you can input your account credentials and sign in. When using an emulator for Instagram, it’ll be like you’re using it on an Android phone; save for the touchscreen if your screen doesn’t support that.

Just keep in mind that it’s an emulator, so it’s not perfect. Certain updates or neglecting to update can cause serious bugs and instabilities. Your app may refuse to open, or it may not work accordingly.

How to Check Instagram Messages on an Android or iPhone Without the App

Although most users use the mobile app version of Instagram, the social platform also has a browser alternative. In many ways, it’s similar to the Lite version of Facebook Messenger. It doesn’t have a full range of features, yet it lets you check up on things.

  1. Launch your preferred mobile browser.
  2. Go to the official Instagram website.
  3. Log in using your credentials.
  4. Tap on the mail icon to access your DM inbox.

While you can read and send messages, comment, and like pictures, you can’t upload anything from the browser interface. For that, you need to use the Instagram app.

How to Send a DM on Instagram

Just in case you’re new to the platform, let’s also cover the process of sending a DM to someone. Here’s how to start a message thread on Instagram:

  1. Launch the app on your device.
  2. Tap the message icon to bring up your DMs.
  3. Tap on the Search bar and type in a username.
  4. From the list of results, tap on the user account you want to message.
  5. Scroll down to get to the message box and type your message.
  6. Add any gifs, photos, or emojis and tap Send.

You can also start a group chat using Instagram’s messaging feature.

  1. Go to your DMs.
  2. Type a name in the Search bar.
  3. Tap the name you want to message.
  4. Type a new name in the Search bar.
  5. Select a new name.
  6. Repeat the process as many times as you want.
  7. Type your message in the message box.
  8. Tap Send.

Note that you can only send a group message to people that you follow. You can send a DM to anyone, but you can’t include random users in your group chat.

Additional FAQ

Here are more answers to your frequently asked questions.

Can I tell when someone has read the message I sent through Instagram with a read receipt?

Yes and no. By default, Instagram enables read receipts. This means that any messages you send on the platform appear with a Seen icon once the recipient reads it. However, people can use a workaround if they want to read messages without the sender knowing it.

It’s possible to do this when you don’t open a DM immediately. While logged into your Instagram account, put your device on Airplane Mode. Reading the message in offline mode doesn’t trigger a read receipt. But, once you relaunch the app, it triggers the read receipt.

Why can’t I see my DMs on Instagram?

There can be many causes for missing DMs. The most common issue is lag, but it can also be a software-related problem. Try to check your DMs on a different device or the browser version of the app. If you can check your DMs from the browser, then try reinstalling the app on your phone.

Can I see DMs from someone who blocked me?

Just because someone blocks your account on Instagram doesn’t mean that the messages also disappear. All previously sent messages remain in your inbox unless you manually delete the conversations.

Bring up the DM inbox and type the username of the person who blocked you in the search box. All non-deleted messages should appear.

Can I turn off read receipts on Instagram?

Since Facebook acquired Instagram, the social media file-sharing platform has embraced the same philosophy. Facebook never allowed its users to turn off read receipts, which now show as profile icons to indicate a read message.

Thus, turning off read receipts for your Instagram account is also impossible. There’s no privacy setting or notification setting that touches on the subject. However, you can read messages without immediately sending a notification to the sender. While logged in, switch your device to Airplane mode and read the message. Then close the app when you’re done.

How do I check Message Requests?

When someone you don’t follow sends you a message, it may go to your Message Request folder. This means you won’t get a notification or see the text in your DMs. But you can find it by following these steps:

1. Open Instagram and tap on the DM icon in the upper right corner.

2. Tap Requests under the search bar to the right.

3. Here, you will see any messages that didn’t go to your DM folder.

Do be mindful that some messages in the Requests folder may be scams. Unless the text comes from someone you know, it’s best not to interact with it.

Final Thoughts

Instagram’s messaging feature has been implemented without a hitch. The system works smoothly and has a very simple and intuitive user interface. The only issue, as far as most users go, is the read-receipt feature.

It can create awkward social situations when you see that someone has read your message, but you don’t get a reply. It goes the other way around too; if you send a message, but never get a read receipt.

Unfortunately, there’s no privacy setting you can configure to get around this. And even the Airplane Mode trick doesn’t always work right. Besides, this is something you can’t do if you’re using Instagram in your browser and not the app itself.

As far as the read-receipts feature goes, how do you want to see it handled in the future? Would you prefer to have an option to disable it like you can on Twitter? Do you find it useful? Or do you think that no matter what happens, Instagram will always follow Facebook despite what users want?

Let us know your thoughts on the DM system and privacy policies in the comments section below. Tell us if you like having a DM system for Instagram or if you miss the first version of the app that only focused on media sharing, likes, and comments.

How to Check Messages on Instagram (Updated

Contents

Messaging on Instagram and chatting with other members is a bit easier than other social media sites. No need to download extra apps like Facebook Messenger. You can send a message to any user via the direct application. If you don’t know how to check messages on Instagram, you can learn in a few easy steps.

In the top right corner, you will see a pointed arrow. This icon represents your message box. If this section is red, it means that you have a new message.

Checking Messages on IG

To check messages on Instagram, we recommend that the notifications be turned on.

Thus, when you receive a new message from any user, it will appear on your mobile phone screen as a notification. If notifications are turned on, you will need to check the messages manually. You can reach your messages by sliding the main page to the left.

If notifications are off, when you receive a message from someone, you will not know and you will only see when you check.

If you want to be in constant communication with your followers, we recommend that you turn on notifications.

Don’t miss any message from your followers!

How to Open/Close Instagram DM Notifications?

If you do not want to receive DM notifications from Instagram on your mobile phone, you can specify this preference in its settings section.

Here are all steps to open or close your message notifications on Instagram:

  1. Go to Setting at your Instagram profile.
  2. Tab on Notifications.
  3. Click to Direct Messages.
  4. Open or Close DM notifications.
  5. And you did it!

If you wish, you can also edit different notification settings in this section.

You can set your notification preferences for video chats or message requests. You can change these settings later.

How to Send Messages on Instagram?

If you want to send a message from Instagram to someone on your followers’ list or follow, you can do it in 2 different ways.

Enter the profile of that person and click on the “Send Message” button on the top and open the message window, write your message, and send it.

When the person you’re sending a message reads this message, you’ll see a notification that they read the message. Another method is:

  1. Go to the message box
  2. Click the + in the upper right corner
  3. Select the person or contacts you want to send a message to
  4. Send your message to selected people

How to Send DM at Instagram Web Site?

To check messages on Instagram, we recommend that the notifications be turned on.

The messaging service inside Instagram, thanks to which it is possible to send and receive messages privately, is called Direct. So if you are interested in understanding how to see messages on Instagram, both those received and those sent, through the latter, read the instructions on what to do below.

From Mobile

To see the messages on Instagram Direct from your Android smartphone or iPhone, the first thing you need to do is start the famous app on the device and tap on the paper airplane icon located at the top right of the home.

In the screen that you will see appear at this point, you will be shown the list of conversions in progress with other users in the Messages section. To open one of your interests and view the various messages that are part of it, search up and tap on the reference user’s name. Et voila!

However, I would like to point out that for each new message received, Instagram will send you a specific notification, which you can view upon receipt at the top of the application screen. 

In any case, until you open the new message received, the paper airplane icon in the top right corner of the Instagram home will be colored blue and will show the total number of unread messages next to it.

And suppose the idea of ​​receiving notifications from a given account does not appeal to you, and you, therefore, want to deactivate them. In that case, you can do so by pressing on the user’s name located at the top of the conversation and turning ON the switch next to Disable notifications for messages.

From Computer

Do you want to see messages on Instagram from your computer, using the official app of the famous social network available for Windows 10? First of all, start the latter and then click on the button with the paper airplane in the upper right part of the home.

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In the screen that you will see appear at this point, you will find at the top of the screen, in the Messages section, all the conversations you have in progress with the various users. To open the one you are interested in and then to view the related messages, click on the reference user’s name, and that’s it.

However, keep in mind that for each message received, Instagram will send you a specific notification that will be visible upon receipt at the top of the app window. By clicking on it, you can directly view the received message and all the others that are part of the ongoing conversation without performing the steps above.

Until you see the messages you have received, Instagram will notify you of their presence by adding a badge to the paper airplane icon located in the app home’s upper right part.

To Disable Is Also Easy

Don’t want to receive notifications for messages received from a specific profile? You can disable them very easily. To do this, click on the “i” located to the right of the user name at the top of the conversation and turn ON the switch located next to the heading Disable notifications.

Even from a computer, keep in mind that on the same screen where there is the list of ongoing conversations (and from which you can start new ones), you will also find any requests for messages received from people you do not follow. For accessing these messages, you must first click on them and then consent to the contact request.

Also, keep in mind that on the same screen where you have listed the conversations in progress (and from which you can start new ones), you will also be shown the various and possible requests for messages received from people you do not follow. To read the messages in question, you must first press on them and consent to the contact request.

How to Send DM at Instagram Web Site?

Unfortunately, this option is not available on Instagram. You cannot use the message option via the Instagram website. We don’t know exactly why they’re restraining, but we can say it’s a ridiculous strategy. It is very interesting that Instagram only allows you to send messages via the app.

Some mobile applications claim to do this, but we’re not sure how accurate these applications work. Integrating 3rd party applications into your social accounts and granting them some permissions may compromise your security. Perhaps soon, Instagram will eliminate this restriction and allow users to communicate via the website.

To Conclude Checking DMs on Instagram

I hope that after reading our article about the possibilities of using Instagram DMs from different devices and for various purposes, you will pay more attention to it and also start using it for your business. After all, all you need is a little to understand the principles and possibilities of its operation and the options from different devices and choose the best one. We hope you can check messages on Instagram without any problem from now on.

How do I view messages received via Instagram Direct?

Help Center

Instagram features

Direct messaging

You can view and manage Direct messages on the Instagram app for Android and iPhone, and the Instagram Lite app for Android.

How can I view a received Direct message?

Instagram app for Android and iPhone

Tap the or icon in the top right corner of the feed.

Click on the desired conversation.

instagram.com in a mobile browser

instagram.com in a desktop browser

Instagram Lite app for Android

Why can't I see a Direct message in my chat list?

If the person you follow sends a message, it will appear in the chat list.

If a message is sent by someone you don't follow, it will appear in your inbox as a message request. To accept or decline a message request:

Instagram app for Android

Tap the or icon in the top right corner of the feed.

Select Requests.

Touch and hold a message.

Select Delete or Accept. You can click Remove All at the bottom of the screen to reject all requests at once.

Instagram app for iPhone

Tap the or icon in the top right corner of the feed.

Select Requests.

Swipe left on the message.

Select Delete or Accept. You can click Remove All at the bottom of the screen to reject all requests at once.

instagram.com in a browser on a computer

Instagram Lite app for Android

If you accept someone's message request, all subsequent messages from that person will immediately go to the chat list.

Learn more about how to manage correspondence requests and report offensive messages.

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Terms of use

Privacy

how to know if a message has been read

Regular Instagram users will find it useful to figure out how to read a message on Instagram so that it remains unread. In standard messengers, everything is simple - after reading, two checkmarks appear next to the message.

Instagram is different. Namely, there are no special checkboxes in the social network, and the user learns about reading from the “Read” icon. The icon also does not always appear.

Content

  1. View Posts in Direct
  2. Whether Message
  3. The Universal Method
  4. Reading on Instagram
  5. Anonymous reading on various devices on various devices on various devices: The video complication “Requent” and that it may not be the inscription “

Viewing messages in Direct

There is a separate built-in function inside the messenger. It performs the role of personal messages and is called Direct. Gradually, new Instagram updates appear, new features are added to Direct. One of the functions was the indicator of read messages, which does not always work. You can view read messages in Direct by running the function and selecting the desired dialogue with the interlocutor. Detailed instructions on how to find out if a message on Instagram has been read:

  • Log in to the social network. Enter your login and password in the appropriate input fields.
  • The tab bar has a news section in the lower left corner. Go there by clicking on the button in the form of a house.
  • At the top of the screen in the right corner is a drawn paper airplane. Click on it by going to Direct.
  • A tab will open with a list of conversations with other users. Select the desired interlocutor and click on the dialogue.
  • A tab with this dialog will open, where you can read the message. A Viewed icon is displayed below the text you sent, or a review is indicated by an eye icon.
  • Messages from strangers are displayed separately. They are shown in the "Requests for correspondence" located in the upper right corner of the Direct tab. After reading, the author will not know about it until you allow the correspondence or respond to the message.
  • Incoming messages can be answered in writing by sending voice messages or temporary pictures or videos.

Also, not everyone knows how to understand if a message on Instagram was read from a computer. Unfortunately, at the moment the computer version of the application has little functionality. That is, it will not be possible to view incoming messages in Direct or answer them. However, this is possible in the Android emulator for personal computers or using plugins. To use extensions, you need to install them on your computer. Some plugins work for free, the most popular emulator right now is BlueStacks.

Has the message been read?

Often, after sending outgoing messages to other users, there is no response. As a result, similar questions arise. Finding out if a person saw the incoming is simple - under the text you sent is the word “Read”. The inscription will not appear if the person closed Direct for you.

Also there is no inscription if the message is not read. You can delete it both at home and at the interlocutor, however, in this case, it is difficult to restore the correspondence.

Universal way

Every person at least once wanted to hide the fact of reading someone else's message. Sometimes this happens because you do not want to answer now or show that the text has been viewed. The interlocutor will see that you noticed the message, but did not respond. There are awkward situations, sometimes people are offended and do not get in touch in the future. This method of how to read a message on Instagram so that it remains unread works in all instant messengers and social networks.

Any service leaves loopholes for users. One of them is that all sent messages are displayed in the notification panel. Modern gadgets allow you to open them and view them without opening the application. The method does not work when too much text is sent. Thus, it will turn out to read small remarks of the interlocutor or several interlocutors at once, without appearing on the network.

There is an additional loophole for owners of iOS smartphones. Swipe left on the message that appears in the taskbar. This will open the rest of the message that did not fit in the preview. The same feature is available to many Android devices produced recently. However, it is still impossible to read very long texts in full.

The second option, which does not work on all social networks, is to turn off the Internet. Thus, by turning off the network, you read the dialogue in the program. The message will not be marked as read until the gadget reconnects to the Internet. Unfortunately, this is not the most convenient option. Walking for a long time without the Internet is not very convenient, and often impossible in modern realities.

Reading on Instagram

Let's take a closer look at how to find out if a person has read a message on Instagram from gadgets on various operating systems. The question began to appear frequently after the addition of a new feature and does not cease to be asked by inexperienced users until now. Initially, Direct was created to communicate with each other. It also has a reading indicator that notifies both interlocutors. Over time, the functions began to multiply, it became possible to create large groups, where up to fifteen people correspond. Consider its use on Androids and iPhones:

  • How do I know that an Instagram message has been read on Android smartphones? Log in to the social network and launch Direct by tapping on the paper airplane symbol. The monitor will display a list of all user dialogs. Choose among them the one you need and go to the message. The read message is displayed next to the "Viewed" inscription.
  • How to see if a message on Instagram has been read from iPhones: log in to the social network. Then go to the news tab, indicated by the house. Launch Direct marked with an airplane. From the list of interlocutors, select the one you need. A Seen icon will also appear below the last message.

There are no major differences between the two different operating systems. The only difference occurs with older versions of the application - on Android, a symbol in the form of an eye appears. However, on all devices with the new version, the word "Read" appears, regardless of operating systems. Viewing information about messages in the web version is not possible in an official way. There is no built-in Direct on computers. Download additional plugins or emulators or use mobile devices with the official app.

Anonymous reading of messages on various devices

Now let's look at how to leave an unread message on Instagram. Each user at least once had such a question. Sometimes you don’t want to respond to a message right away, you need time to think, or simply there is no time. You do not want to upset the sender or offend with silence. In such situations, anonymous viewing of the message will help. This manual will help users using gadgets on any operating systems:

  • Log in to the social network. The Direct icon will show the presence of an unread message.
  • Close Instagram and turn off the Internet on your mobile device. Put your device in airplane mode just in case. So the data will definitely not be transferred to the social network.
  • Open the messenger again and read what was written. The network will allow you to read incoming messages even without the Internet, as it uses the saving of data on the device.
  • Close the social network and remove it from the device in settings. This is a required item. Otherwise, when you reconnect to the network, the browsing information will be immediately sent to the sender. We have already figured out how to understand that a message has been read on Instagram, so you know what will be displayed in front of the interlocutor.
  • Turn internet back on and install the app. Log in to the social network. You will see that the message has not yet been read. No one will know about your manipulation.

Thus, everything is simple. The only drawback is the constant removal and download of the program if you often have to use Direct anonymously. Remember that Instagram is constantly improving and even this method may stop working over time. This situation will arise if the developers prohibit reading without an Internet connection.

Also read: The name of the audience on Instagram: what does it mean, how to name the audience in the promotion, what interests to choose , whether the message on Instagram was read in such a situation. At the moment, there are several reasons why the inscription is missing:

  • The message was not read or the interlocutor did not access the Internet during the day.
  • The application was not opened by the user and the notification was not received. The status of a person is shown by an icon in the form of a green circle near the profile picture. It may be absent if the user has forbidden to show the status in the settings or is absent.
  • Sent messages end up in the spam basket.
  • You are in the black list or you are not subscribed to the interlocutor. In such cases, sending is either limited, or messages will become available after the permission of the interlocutor, respectively.
  • The message is ignored purposefully.

Thus, the new option has made life easier for all profiles registered on Instagram. It has become easier to communicate, because you can always see whether they are ignoring you. The easiest way to view messages at the moment is to read it in the notification shade.

Video review:

Everything useful about Instagram — instagramer.


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