How do you check direct messages on instagram
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
- Launch the Instagram app and log in with your credentials.
- From the home screen, tap the mail icon.
- 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.
- Launch the Instagram app and log in.
- Select your account, if you have multiple.
- Tap the mail icon in the upper right corner
- Read the newest messages.
- 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.
- Visit Instagram’s official website.
- Log into your account.
- Click on the Messages icon (paper airplane icon in the upper-right corner).
- Scroll through the conversations featured in the left pane.
- 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.
- Log into the Microsoft App Store.
- Type in Instagram and search for the app.
- Select the app and click Install.
- Launch the app and sign in using your credentials.
- Click on the paper airplane icon in the upper right corner of the home screen.
- 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.
- Launch your preferred mobile browser.
- Go to the official Instagram website.
- Log in using your credentials.
- 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:
- Launch the app on your device.
- Tap the message icon to bring up your DMs.
- Tap on the Search bar and type in a username.
- From the list of results, tap on the user account you want to message.
- Scroll down to get to the message box and type your message.
- Add any gifs, photos, or emojis and tap Send.
You can also start a group chat using Instagram’s messaging feature.
- Go to your DMs.
- Type a name in the Search bar.
- Tap the name you want to message.
- Type a new name in the Search bar.
- Select a new name.
- Repeat the process as many times as you want.
- Type your message in the message box.
- 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:
- Go to Setting at your Instagram profile.
- Tab on Notifications.
- Click to Direct Messages.
- Open or Close DM notifications.
- 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:
- Go to the message box
- Click the + in the upper right corner
- Select the person or contacts you want to send a message to
- 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 to check messages on Instagram
You can send private, private messages to individuals or groups on Instagram. If someone sends you a direct message, you'll want to know how to check your messages so you can send a reply.
How to check messages on the Instagram app
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Open the Instagram app on your iOS or Android device and sign in to your account, or switch to the appropriate account if necessary.
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Click the mail icon in the top right corner of the screen to go to your Instagram Direct inbox.
When you receive a new message, every time you open the application you should see a number of digits with a mail icon in the upper right corner. This is the number of new messages you have received since you last checked your mailbox.
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Look at the list of messages in your mailbox, listed from most recent to least recent. Messages that you haven't checked yet will appear next to the blue dot.
If you have a lot of messages in your mailbox, you can use the Search box at the top to find a message for a specific user or containing a specific keyword or phrase.
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Tap any message to open the message or thread and use the message field plus the media buttons at the bottom to send a reply.
You can send a quick photo or video reply without even opening the message by simply tapping the camera icon that appears to the right of each message listed in your inbox.
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Click the arrow icon in the top left corner to exit your inbox and return to your feed.
You can receive Instagram messages from people you don't follow. If you do, it will show up as a message request in your inbox, rather than a normal message that you can accept or decline. If you accept this, you will be able to open the message and allow the user to keep sending you messages even without a follow-up. If you decline this, the user will not be able to send you further messages.
How to check messages on the Internet
Unfortunately, the official direct messages feature is not built into the web version of Instagram. This is one of the many features that Instagram currently limits to its web version.
More frustratingly, Instagram doesn't even offer direct access to online messaging to official business partners who use powerful third-party Instagram management platforms like Iconosquare.
Any third party platform that claims to give you access to your online direct messages is not legitimate and you could end up putting your Instagram account at risk if you choose to give them your login details.
Instagram application for Windows
The only exception is the official Instagram application for Windows. If you have a Windows PC, you can download this app and enjoy sending and receiving direct messages through it, including photos, videos, and messages directly from your channel.
4 Ways to Check Instagram Direct Messages Online
Sending direct messages to people on Instagram is very easy using the official mobile app. However, if you prefer to use Instagram on any device other than your smartphone, you will find that the direct messaging feature is not supported on the website.
Don't be afraid In this article, we've put together various ways for you to be able to log into someone's DM while on your desktop. You can use the official Windows 10 app or an Android emulator.
And the best news is that they are all completely free.
How to Check Instagram Direct Messages on Mobile
Before we dive into alternative methods, don't forget that you can always check your direct messages on the official mobile app for Android and iOS. To do this, open Instagram on the main homepage and tap the paper airplane icon in the top right corner of the screen.
This will open Instagram Direct where you can view all existing posts and also look for new people to send photos, videos and messages.
Now let's look at the methods for checking and sending your DMs to your desktop or laptop.
1. Use the Windows 10 app Instagram
The official Instagram app for Windows 10 supports Direct Messaging.
To download the app, open the Microsoft Store and search for Instagram . Click the first app in the list and then click Get . A message will appear stating that you are the owner of the app and it will automatically download.
When finished, click Run .
We're assuming you already have an Instagram account, so click on the little text for to enter at the bottom of the window. Enter username and password and click Login .
Now click the Instagram Direct icon in the top right corner. It looks like a paper airplane. This will raise all your existing DMs. You can use the search bar , to browse them, or click the plus sign , to create a new one.
2. Use an Android emulator
You can use an Android emulator such as BlueStacks to install the Android operating system on your computer. You can then install the Instagram app in this environment.
First, download and install the emulator of your choice. We will be using BlueStacks for the purposes of this article. When you open it, you'll be prompted to sign into your Google account and likely verify your identity with a phone number.
Once you are logged in, you will see Google Play Store on your home screen. Click on this link and then search Instagram like on your phone. Next press " Install" .
You will now see the Instagram app on the home screen. Click on it, enter your registration information and then you can use it just like you would on your phone. It's exactly the same application, but emulated on your computer.
3. Use a third party app
There are some third party apps (meaning they weren't officially developed by Instagram) that allow you to manage your direct messages.
The best one is probably IG:dm, which is free and available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It's open source, so you can view the project's code if you'd like. Remember, always be careful when entering your password on unofficial apps. While IG:dm seems safe enough, it's not an official endorsement.
On the left panel you can see your last 20 conversations.
Press one to see the history on the right side and use the message box at the bottom to chat. From the top bar you can search for other users. You can also click your profile icon for more options, such as setting up notifications and seeing users who haven't followed you.
While this free version will probably work for most people, there's also IG:dm Pro available for a one-time fee of €10 ($11). This allows you to sign in to multiple accounts, view up to 100 conversations, and use the handy emoji search.
4. Use Android Mirror
If you don't need a full Android emulator, you can simply mirror your device's screen on your computer. using the built-in Mirror utility in Windows 10. It should be noted that this is not a perfect solution, because while it is displayed on your monitor, you will still have to use your phone to manage Instagram. This is because Windows 10 does not reproduce input well when mirroring Android.
To start in Windows 10, search the system for connection and open the app.
