How can i react to messages on instagram
How To React To Messages On Instagram
It’s been more than a year, or since Sep. 29, 2020, to be precise, that Instagram added a feature allowing us to use emoji reactions when responding to DMs. Around the same time, another update came out, addressing those who wanted to know how to reply to a message on Instagram. Yet many aren’t aware of this update, let alone knowing how to react to messages on Instagram or how to reply on Instagram DM.
Instagram DM reactions are a convenient way of bonding with our followers and friends without having to speak or type a word. And knowing how to reply to an Instagram message allows you to single out one message in a sea of Instagram DMs in a group chat or a conversation with your friends. And although many reliable Instagram DM apps try to help us do what the official app doesn’t allow, none of them made Instagram reactions or replies possible.
That’s why in this article, we’ll provide a thorough guide on using Instagram emoji reactions for direct messages and how to reply to messages on Instagram!
So, stay tuned to find out! And in case you’re searching for an effective IG DM app, why don’t you start with DMpro now?!
Contents[hide]
- 1 Why Learn How to React in Instagram DM & Reply
- 1.
1 Do We Need to Take Extra Measures to Find Out How to React & Reply on Instagram Messages
- 1.
- 2 How to React to Messages on Instagram in 4 Steps
- 2.1 #1 Update Instagram
- 2.2 #2 Open a Conversation on the App
- 2.3 #3 Bring Up Emoji Reactions
- 2.3.1 How to Change the Default Heart Emoji
- 2.4 React to an Instagram Message with an Emoji
- 2.4.1 How to Customize Instagram Emoji Reactions
- 3 How to React to Messages on Instagram PC
- 4 How to Reply to a Message on Instagram
- 5 FAQs on Instagram Reactions & Replies
- 5.1 1- How Do You Like a Message on Instagram?
- 5.2 2- How to Laugh at a Message on Instagram?
- 5.3 3- Why Can’t I React to Messages on Instagram?
- 5.4 4- How to Change Emoji Reactions in Instagram DMs?
- 5.5 5- Why Can’t I Reply to a Message on Instagram?!
- 6 Bottom Line on How to React & Reply to Messages on Instagram
Have you ever had a conversation where you didn’t know how to answer the last text message? Or, have you ever wondered how to reply to a specific message in the Instagram DM section because if you had just sent your answer after 100 messages on an Instagram group chat, it would sound out-of-place?! If you’ve suffered in these situations, then you know how much of a blessing it is to finally find out how to react to Instagram messages or how to reply.
In fact, these new changes took place to further expand Facebook’s cross-platform messaging system to Instagram, a platform Facebook acquired in 2012. In short, Facebook improved the messaging experience on Instagram by adding many of the Messenger features to it.
This means that you can message your friends on Facebook from Instagram. But it also means that you have access to more features. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can now mass DM on Instagram or turn off the read receipt on Instagram.
Before this update, Instagram users could only react to DMs by double-tapping on a message and only using the heart emoji. But now, we can all customize the emojis we use to react to messages on Instagram.
Emoji reactions are well-favored by most of us. Sometimes, an appropriate emoji can convey our message better than words. These small icons on our cell phone keyboards add a layer of fun and entertainment to our daily online conversations. The experience of using them on Instagram DM has been even more exciting since the option was released.
The whole point of adding these new options is that anyone can now access emoji reactions and the ‘Reply’ button on the official app. So, you don’t need to take any extraordinary measures to be able to use Instagram emoji reactions for direct messages or to reply.
Generally, to learn how to react to messages on Instagram, you can take these short four steps:
- Update the app to the latest version
- Then, open one of your conversations
- And, hold your finger on a DM to see emoji reactions
- Finally, select one of the emojis to react
Finding out how to reply to a message on Instagram is as easy! You only need to take this instruction:
- Update the Instagram app.
- Now, open your Instagram DM section and choose a conversation or group chat.
- Then, tap and hold any message until the options appear.
- Finally, choose ‘Reply’ and type your message!
Let’s get more specific about these steps and find out how to react to messages on Instagram.
How to React to Messages on Instagram in 4 StepsAs you already know, it’s pretty easy to use emojis to react to messages on Instagram. Now it’s time to talk about the details of each step and show you how they’re done.
Remember all of the four steps are actionable on Instagram’s mobile app and not on other versions.
#1 Update InstagramThe first step is by far the most basic one; however no less important. No matter what you want to do on Instagram, it’s best to make sure you’re using the latest version.
Besides the inclusion of new features, these updates often include security and stability improvements as well. This is why you need to update the app regularly to not miss out on any features or improvements.
In fact, most of the people who can’t react to Instagram messages or complain about Instagram emoji reactions for direct messages not working haven’t updated the app.
If you do so, you can easily see the options.
To update Instagram, you must visit Google Play Store (or App Store if you’re an iPhone user). If there are any updates available, you’ll see the button.
Update the Instagram applicationPro tip: after updating Instagram, go to the app ‘Settings’ and select ‘Update Messaging’ to run this feature on your phone.
#2 Open a Conversation on the AppThe second step you need to take to figure out how to react with emojis on Instagram DM is not complicated either! Just, launch the application on your cell phone and log in to your account if you haven’t already.
Now go to one of your chats. You can do this by tapping on the Instagram messages icon on the top-right side of the screen.
#3 Bring Up Emoji ReactionsOnce you’ve opened a conversation, you can start reacting to any of the DMs with emojis. To do this, double-tap on a DM to react to it. By default, you can react to direct messages on Instagram with the heart emoji.
However, if you press and hold a message, an emoji list will appear from which you can choose the one you want.
Choose an emoji to react to messages on InstagramPro tip: since Instagram DMs have been merged with FB Messenger, you’ll only see this feature if you’ve already connected your Facebook account. Simply go to the Instagram app ‘Settings’ and select ‘Accounts Center’ to link your FB account.
How to Change the Default Heart EmojiYou’re probably curious to know whether it’s possible to change the default heart emoji to something else.
To change the heart emoji used when double-tapping on a DM:
- Hold your finger on a DM
- Next, from the set of emojis that appears, tap and hold on the heart emoji
- Then, choose the emoji you want
- Now, press ‘done.’
Pro tip: if you cannot see this list, this Instagram feature isn’t available in your country of residence. Sadly, there’s nothing else you can do to access it.
Finally, as we said earlier, from the set of emojis Instagram has included, you can choose one to react to a DM.
Easy peasy, right? You just have to press and hold a DM to bring up the emojis list and use one as you wish.
Pro tip: if you react to a direct message with the wrong emoji, you can simply remove it. This time you need to tap and hold the emoji you used to remove it.
But what if you want to change the whole set? Would that be possible? Of course!
How to Customize Instagram Emoji ReactionsMany emojis are available on our cell phone keyboards, but we rarely use more than 20 of them. The same goes with using them on Instagram to react to messages. So that’s why you should customize your emoji reactions to save yourself from searching for them every time.
To personalize the Instagram emoji reactions list:
- Tap and hold on a DM
- From the emoji list that pops on your screen, tap on the plus ‘+’ icon
- Then choose ‘Customize’ from the menu.
- Now, add emojis and customize the list as you prefer.
- Finally, tap on the mark in the top right corner.
Pro tip: remember that the emoji you set as your first will appear when you double-tap on messages.
How to React to Messages on Instagram PCSo far, the steps we mentioned and explained work for those who were wondering how to react to messages on Instagram iPhone or Android. But perhaps you’re one of those people who prefers to send DMs on Instagram on PC or Mac.
If you are, then we have bad news for you. Unfortunately, you can’t use custom emojis to react to DMs on Instagram for Windows or Instagram web.
The only one available on these two versions is the heart emoji which you can double-click on a DM to use it. You can easily remove it by left-clicking on the heart icon below a direct message and choosing ‘Select to remove.
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So far, you’ve learned all about Instagram reactions. But how do you reply to a specific message on Instagram? Let’s master it if you don’t know the answer yet!
If you’ve fully learned the steps on how to react to a message on Instagram, you have a headstart here! The first and second steps you need to take to figure out how to reply on Instagram are:
- Update the application,
- And choose one of your conversations from the DM inbox.
So far, so good, right?! Now, let’s see what you need to do differently!
After selecting a conversation and choosing the message you want to reply to, you should:
- Tap and hold that DM.
- Now, from the options that appear, select ‘Reply.’
- At this point, you can type your message and hit ‘Send.’
Congratulations, you just mastered how to reply to a message on Instagram! It wasn’t so hard now, was it?!
Pro tip: if you have replied to the wrong message and would like to remove your message, you can simply delete your Instagram DM from both sides.
Then, you can tap and hold the right message you want to reply to and write your answer.
FAQs on Instagram Reactions & Replies
In this article, we aimed to fully explain how to react on Instagram messages with emojis and how you can reply to a DM. But, there are still unanswered questions we need to address. Let’s get to them now, shall we?!
1- How Do You Like a Message on Instagram?
One of your frequently asked questions concerns how to like an Instagram DM. In fact, doing so is pretty straightforward and was possible even before the update.
To learn how to like a message on Instagram, you can take the following steps:
- Open your Instagram application and log in.
- Then, enter your DM inbox from the icon in the top right corner of your feed.
- Now, choose a conversation and the message you want to like.
- Finally, double tap on the message.
It’s as easy! But if you’re wondering how to like a message on Instagram with a different emoji than a heart, you can tap and hold the message. Then, choose any emoji you would rather use!
2- How to Laugh at a Message on Instagram?With Instagram reactions, you can use any emoji. So, to learn how to laugh at an Instagram message, you should first know how to react. To do so, you can follow the steps below:
- Tap and hold the message,
- From the reactions that appear, choose the laughing emoji you want.
That’s it. Now you also know how to use the laugh-react on Instagram!
3- Why Can’t I React to Messages on Instagram?Those who can’t use Instagram emojis as a reaction to a DM usually complain that there’s something wrong with Instagram or their phone. So, they keep asking ‘Why can’t I react to messages on Instagram on iPhone / Android?!’ But in fact, if you update your application, many of your problems will go away.
After updating the IG app and taking all the steps on how to react to Instagram DM, you should be fine!
4- How to Change Emoji Reactions in Instagram DMs?To do an emoji edit on your Instagram reactions, you should follow the instruction below:
- Tap and hold any Instagram message until the list of Instagram emojis appears.
- Now, select the ‘+’ button then ‘Cuztomize’ to enter the customization mode.
- Finally, you can personalize the reactions by selecting any emoji you like!
This way, not only do you know how to react to an Instagram message but also you know how to customize the emojis you use. It’s really convenient, right?!
5- Why Can’t I Reply to a Message on Instagram?!Again, this option is available on Instagram messenger. So, you need to update your application first. So, get the latest version from the Google Play Store or App Store. Then, you can easily follow the mentioned steps to master how to reply to a message on Instagram!
Bottom Line on How to React & Reply to Messages on InstagramUsing emojis makes it easier to communicate with other people.
They bring a new level of excitement to our online experience. Sometimes it’s either difficult or time-consuming to express how we feel with words.
But in such situations, using one or more emojis can help us accurately convey our feelings. Thanks to the update we discussed earlier, using emojis to react to messages on Instagram has become a lot easier.
We can create a custom emoji list and react to DMs with the emojis we like. Plus, Instagram now enables you to reply to messages. These new options allow us to enjoy our daily conversations on the platform more than ever.
So if you have updated your app and can access these features, why don’t you go ahead, and read this guide on how to reply to and react to a message on Instagram again?!
How to React to Instagram Messages with Emojis on iPhone
One emoji expresses your emotion or intention more clearly than an entire message. So, if someone sends a funny message, you could react using a laughing face or haha emoji.
Or with a heart emoji if they shared something nice. Emojis have now become a staple for most, if not all, social media platforms. In this article, we will focus on how to react to Instagram messages with emojis on iPhone.
Learn how to react to Instagram messages with emojis on iPhone
You should use some cool emojis on your Instagram DMs, as they are currently the trend. In this section of this article, check out our step-by-step guide on how to react to messages with different emojis on Instagram using your iPhone.
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Step 1: Launch the Instagram app and start a chat
If you haven’t done it, the first step for you is to download the Instagram app on your iPhone. It is a top-rated social media app that is entirely free to install. Then log in to your Instagram handle, and tap on the Messenger icon located at the top-right of the screen.
After that, select a chat conversation to react using emojis.
Step 2: React to direct messages on Instagram with emojis
You can either react to an existing message with emojis or answer a message with emojis. Here’s how to react to a direct message on Instagram using your iPhone:
Touch and hold on to a conversation on iPhone until an emoji list appears
Select the emoji that you’d like. Or, if you want more options, then tap on the “Plus +” icon
Or double-tap on a conversation to react with the default heart emoji
To find out how to reply to Instagram messages with emojis:
Tap on the message text box
Next, tap on the “emoji” key on the keyboard
After that, choose the emoji(s) that you’d want to use and tap on “Send”
How to change double tap reaction emoji on Instagram
An instant way of reacting to a DM on your Instagram is by double-tapping it.
After that, a pre-selected emoji will appear over the message. By default, the double tap emoji is the heart emoji.
Here’s how to change double tap reaction emojis to replace the default heart emoji:
Launch your Instagram app and open a conversation
Touch and hold on to a message that you’d want to react to
Then tap on the “Plus +” symbol beside the small list of emojis that appears
Next, tap on “Customize”
After that, touch the “Heart” emoji, or the first emoji on the small list
Then select the emoji that you’d want to replace it with from the bottom list
At last, tap on “Done” to save your changes
You may also use this procedure to swap out the other emojis on the small list for your favorites.
How to remove emoji reactions from Instagram messages on iPhone
What if you’ve accidentally reacted with the wrong emoji? The best choice for you would be to un react your emoji reaction to the Instagram message.
Here’s how to do it:
Tap on the emoji reaction icon on your message
On the following screen, tap to remove the emoji from your message
Why can’t I react to messages on the Instagram app?
The most likely reason would be that your Instagram has not been updated to the latest version. So, to update your Instagram app, visit the App Store page. And to know how to enable emoji reactions on Instagram, visit the app’s Settings and choose Update Messaging.
How to react to an Instagram story on iPhone
The process of reacting to an Instagram Story is extremely straightforward. First of all, select the Instagram story that you’d want to react to. And then, you can either tap on the message box or swipe up from the bottom. Next, you’ll have three ways to react to the Instagram Story: Quick Reactions (collection of pre-selected emojis), write a message and add GIFs or stickers.
How to use the laugh react on Instagram DM?
When your friend shares with you a very funny joke on your Instagram DM, the best way for you to react is by using a laughing emoji. We’ve already shared in an earlier section how to react to Instagram messages with emojis on iPhone. To use the laughing emoji to your friend’s joke, touch and hold on to the message, and tap on the Plus + icon. Next, locate the laughing emoji that you’d want to add. You can find different types of laughing emojis on your iPhone.
How to add new emojis to Instagram posts on your iPhone?
There are third-party emoji apps, which you can use to add new emojis to your iPhone keyboard. You can then use them on social platforms such as Instagram. So, if you install an emoji keyboard app, you’d need to enable it on your iPhone keyboard settings. For this, visit the Settings app > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > select the emoji keyboard app to enable it.
After enabling the emoji keyboard app, open your iPhone keyboard and tap on the Globe icon to select your emoji keyboard. After that, choose the emoji(s) that you’d want to share on your Instagram posts or other social media posts.
Finishing thoughts
This is the complete information on how to react to Instagram messages with emojis on iPhone. Also, we’ve shared several additional pieces of information about changing or removing emoji reactions and many more.
Some of our related blogs that you may like:
How to Put a Sticker on a Picture on iPhone
How to React to Instagram Posts with Different Emoji
Post Reactions are fun and offer an easy way to react to someone's post, saving you the time and effort to write something that might seem redundant. Previously, emoji reactions were limited to Facebook and Facebook Messenger comments. But now you can also respond with emoji to Instagram posts.
The interesting thing is that you can respond with any emoji of your choice. Want to know how to use custom emoji reactions on Instagram? This guide will help you.
Table of Contents
How to React to Emoji in Instagram Messages on Mobile and PC
How to React to Instagram Messages with Emoji on Android and iPhone
Tip 1: How to Replace Reaction with Double Tap or Heart Smiley on Instagram
Tip 2: How to Restore Old Emoji Reactions
How to React to Instagram Messages with Emoji on PC
How to Not React to an Instagram Message
Instagram emoji reactions not working
With the new feature, you are not tied to multiple selected emoji reactions. You can react with fire emoji, kisses, a hammer, or whatever. Emoji reactions will appear below your Instagram post.
Let's see how to react with custom emoji in Instagram Direct Messages (DM) on mobile and PC.
How to respond to emoji in Instagram posts on mobile devices and PC
Facebook recently released a new version of Instagram messages that makes it look like Facebook Messenger.
So the features from FB Messenger had to come to Instagram. These features include chat topics, disappear mode, the ability to forward and quote messages, and reaction to messages.
Let's check the steps to add emoji reaction to Instagram posts.
How to respond to Instagram messages with emoji on Android and iPhone
Launch the Instagram app and open a chat. Touch and hold the message you want to respond to. The emoji reaction panel will open with six emoji. Click on the emoji you want to respond with.
If you want to respond to a message with your own emoji of your choice, click the add (+) icon and select an emoji from the list.
Hint: Check out our guide on how to make yourself an emoji on Android.
To replace existing emoticons with your favorite emoticon in the emoticon panel, touch and hold an emoticon in the panel. Then select the emoji you want to add to the panel.
Click the checkmark icon (Android) or click the Done button (iPhone) to save your changes.
Once added, you can quickly respond to other messages with the newly added emoticons in the panel. Similarly, you can replace other emoticons as well.
Pro tip: Use search to quickly find your emoji
Tip 1: How to replace the double tap or heart emoji reaction on Instagram
Double tapping a message creates a heart reaction. You can also change this behavior and add a new reaction instead of a double-tap heart. To do this, you will need to change the reaction of the heart emoji.
Tap and hold on any message to open the emoji reaction panel. Touch and hold a heart emoji. Select an emoji of your choice and click the checkmark icon at the top or click Done. Now whenever you double tap on a message, a new emoji reaction will be sent instead of a heart.
Tip 2: How to restore old emoji reactions
If you like the emoji reactions shown by Instagram, you can manually change the emojis back to the original ones as above.
However, it would be easier to reset the reactions.
To do this, touch and hold any message to open the emoji reaction panel. Then touch and hold any emoji. Tap the Reset icon (Android) or Reset button (iPhone) to restore default emoji.
Note: Want to know what different Instagram stickers mean? Check out our guide that explains the meaning of Instagram stickers.
How to respond to Instagram messages with emoji on PC
After a long time, Instagram finally introduced the ability to check messages from a computer without an extension. Since the messaging feature is available on the Instagram web app, you can also respond to messages using emoji.
To do this, open the chat in which you want to respond to the message. Hover your mouse over the message. An emoji reaction icon will appear. Click on it and various emoticons will greet you. Select the emoji you want to respond with.
Use the scroll bar to find other emoticons.
Note: You can't change the double tap behavior for Instagram messages on PC at the moment. So the same old heart will be sent.
How not to react to a message on Instagram
To remove an emoji reaction in the Instagram mobile apps, tap the emoji below the message. A new screen will open. Click on a smiley to remove it.
To cancel sending an emoticon on your computer, click on the emoticon below the message.
In the pop-up window that opens, click on your emoji to delete it.
Instagram emoji reactions don't work
If you can't respond to Instagram posts with emoji, this feature should not be available in your country yet. Instagram is slowly rolling out this feature. If others in your country have it, you should update the Instagram app.
Once this is done, restart your phone and try again.
You should also upgrade your Instagram messaging feature. To do this, open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Click on the icon with three stripes. Select "Settings" and then "Update Messages". If emoji reactions are still not working, check out other ways to fix it using the troubleshooting tips mentioned in our post for Instagram themes. The same can be used here.
Next:
Want to check the first message from the Instagram chat? Find out how to do it with the following link without scrolling.
How to reply to a specific Instagram message
Content:
In September 2020, Instagram announced the release of new messaging features. This includes Disappear Mode, Chat Colors, Replies, and more. With Replies, you can reply to a specific direct message (DM) on Instagram. In this way, the other person will recognize the message you are talking about.
If you've used Instagram's direct messaging feature, you may have noticed that some people are replying to your messages.
However, when you try to reply to the message, you fail.
This is because you probably haven't updated your Instagram posts yet.
If you haven't updated the messaging, tapping and holding on a message won't bring up the "Reply" option.
Instead, you will only see the Copy, Report, and Save options.
Here's how to reply to a specific Instagram post:
1. Go to your Instagram profile and open the menu.
When new Instagram messaging features have just been released, you will be prompted to update your messaging.
However, you will not be prompted to do so at this time.
You must therefore update the messages manually.
First, click on your profile icon in the bottom navigation bar.
Once you click on your profile icon, you will be taken to your Instagram profile.
Press the menu icon on the top navigation bar to open the menu.
2. Click Settings.
The navigation menu contains several options.
This includes Settings, Archive, Your Activities, and more.
Click "Settings" to go to Instagram settings.
3. Click Update Messages.
In your settings you will see several options.
This includes Follow & Invite Friends, Notifications, Business, and more.
If you haven't updated your messaging yet, you'll see an "Update messages" option at the top of your settings.
Click Refresh Messages to see the new messaging features on Instagram.
If you don't see the Update Posts option, you need to update the Instagram app.
To update Instagram on iPhone, open the App Store, tap your profile icon, tap Instagram, then tap Update.
To update Instagram on an Android device, open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, tap My Apps & Games, tap Instagram, then tap Update.
4. Update messages.
This includes the ability to change the color of the chat, respond to any emoji, swipe to reply to messages, and more.
As you can see, the messaging update will allow you to reply to certain posts on Instagram.
Therefore, you need to update your Instagram posts.
Click Refresh to refresh your Instagram posts.
5. Tap and hold the message, then tap Reply.
You will also see the message "Your messaging has been updated".
This means that the Instagram messaging feature has been successfully updated!
You can now reply to messages on Instagram.
First, go to the Instagram home page and click on the "Messenger" icon on the top navigation bar.
Second, navigate to the message you want to reply to.
Third, press and hold the message, then press "Reply" to reply to the message.
You can also swipe left on a message and tap Reply to reply to it.
6. Reply to the message.
Now enter your message in the chat panel and click send to send it.
After you send a message, the person will be able to see that you replied to him.
Above the chat window will be the phrase "You answered".
You have successfully learned how to reply to messages on Instagram!
Pins
Many Instagram users can't reply to messages because they haven't updated their messaging feature. If you haven't updated your Instagram messaging feature, you won't be able to reply to messages.
Instead, you will only have 3 options including "Copy", "Report" and "Save".
To update the messaging feature, you need to follow the guide above.
After the feature update, you will have much more options for messaging.
