How do you check instagram messages

How to Check Your Instagram Messages

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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 Your Messages On Instagram

Instagram began as a social networking platform for exclusively sharing photos and videos.

But, over the years, it has evolved to support features such as comments on posts and direct messaging to promote greater user involvement. As a result, today, Instagram includes all of the characteristics of a typical, sophisticated social media messaging app. This is a particularly useful piece of information from a marketing point of view.

Now you can use Instagram to create and send text messages, incorporate images/videos within your direct messages, and even conduct video calls.

Whether you want to send a single DM (commonly used term for “direct message”) or an entire batch of them, Instagram lets you do it all. Here in this blog, we have listed a few of the ways through which you can check Instagram messages from any device.

Read this article until the very end to know all about how to check messages on Instagram.

How To Check Your Instagram Messages?

Assuming you’re an avid Instagram user or want to increase your brand’s presence on the platform, you might be inclined to get Instagram alerts that keep you instantly updated on all actions surrounding your account and its followers.

You can check your Instagram messages by launching the Instagram app on your phone or personal computer and heading over to Instagram Messenger.

When you open the app, you’ll see the total number of unread messages. It’s highlighted in red over the airplane-looking mail icon.

Then, as you go through your unread DMs, you’ll see that the app displays them in chronological order, from most recent to oldest.

We recommend that you enable phone alerts on Instagram to instantly check your messages. So, whenever you get a new message from any person, it will remain displayed as a notification on your smartphone’s screen until you open the app and respond to it. You may also access your messages by swiping to the left on your notification on the main screen.

If you turn your notifications off, you will not be alerted when you receive a message. Thus you will only be able to see them upon manually checking your phone. We recommend that you enable alerts if you want to be in touch with your followers at all times. That way, you wouldn’t miss a single message from any of your loyalists!

By default, Instagram will notify you whenever there is an activity involving your account. However, you may further refine the sort of posts for which you want to get notifications or exclude content from which you do not wish to get notifications.

As of now, staying within the purview of this blog, we are exclusively going to discuss how you can manage notifications for your Instagram DMs.

Follow the set of instructions in this section to activate Instagram DM alerts using the app:

Open the Instagram app on your smartphone

Open the Instagram Menu by clicking on the hamburger icon on the upper right corner of your screen

Navigate to the “Settings” menu and choose “Notifications”

Check that the “Pause All” toggle button is turned off

You may then customize your alerts for particular actions, in this case, “Direct Messages”

The message screen keeps you informed in case you’re unsure whether your recipient has received your message. On your inbox screen, you will be able to view each message’s status, indicating when it was viewed or how long ago you had sent it if the message has not yet been viewed.

If you get an Instagram DM from an individual whom you do not follow, it displays as a request instead of a chat in your inbox. If you accept their request, you may respond to their message without necessarily having to follow the other person. If you refuse their request, on the other hand, the other account will be unable to reach you unless you follow them back.

How to Turn On Notifications For Instagram Direct Messages (DMs) on an Android Phone?

In this segment, we will show you exactly how you can activate alerts on Instagram for your Android smartphone. The measures you need to take for this are quite basic and easy to implement. You no longer have to be concerned about missing an essential DM from any of your followers.

To turn on message notifications on your Android smartphone, simply follow the instructions listed below:

Open the Settings app on your Android device, which looks like white gear against a tainted backdrop. Alternatively, you may find Settings in the App Drawer as well.

Scroll down and select Apps within the menu. It’s located nearly in the middle of the Settings menu. Opening it will provide a list of all the mobile apps that are already installed on your smartphone.

Scroll throughout the list of apps until you find Instagram. This may be found under the app list starting with the letter “I”. Tap the “Show notifications” button present beneath the app’s name.

Alternatively, certain Android smartphones have the “Allow peeking” button for notifications. Tap the “Allow peeking” toggle button (which is grey when turned off) within the Notifications section. When it becomes blue/green, it indicates that your Instagram alerts for DMs are now enabled.

Also, you can tap the grey “Treat as priority” toggle button if you wish to get Instagram alerts even when your phone is in the “Do Not Disturb” aka “Airplane” mode.

How to Turn On Notifications For Instagram Direct Messages (DMs) on an iPhone?

If you want to check your Instagram messages on your iPhone, simply follow the steps listed below:

On your iPhone, tap the Settings option
Next, open the Settings menu

Select “Notifications”

Search for Instagram by swiping through the list of applications

Turn on the “Allow Notifications” toggle button by tapping on it

When the “Allow Notifications” toggle button goes green, you can be assured that Instagram notifications for direct messages on your iPhone have been turned on. Instagram will now

notify you of any new message that you receive.

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

If you don’t have your phone with you, you can always check your DMs via your personal computer. Activating Instagram alerts on your PC is a simple step that will not take longer than a minute to accomplish.

Since your PC accommodates a bigger interface, you might find it simpler to traverse through the app settings on it. Besides, Instagram’s website interface is reportedly said to perform an excellent job of offering a pleasant user experience.

Simply follow these instructions to enable Instagram DM notifications:

Go to Instagram’s official website by simply typing out Instagram in the Google search bar and pressing Enter

Select the Messages icon (paper airplane icon present in the top-right corner of the title bar)

Browse through the list of chats displayed in the left panel and click on the specific chat tab to check all the messages relating to that account

You may include emojis and images when replying from Instagram’s desktop browser version

Instagram also has a Windows app that you can use in place of your browser. Simply download the app from the Microsoft Store, login or sign up for your account, and use it as you would use the browser or mobile app version.

How to Deactivate Instagram Message Notifications?

As soon as you open an Instagram chat either directly or after getting redirected from your device’s notification, it gets marked as “Seen.” This is an irreversible process, and there might be situations where you would not want this to happen. For example, say you were too busy to respond immediately but feared your recipient feeling affronted by your prolonged silence.

Well, luckily for you, there is a workaround for Instagram’s Read Receipts feature – Turning off your notifications. To do so, simply follow the set of instructions given below to get started:

Launch the Instagram website or app and head over to your profile
Select the menu option (three vertical lines present in the top right)
Select Settings from the menu

Now, go to “Notifications“
Choose Messages (or Direct Messages as visible in certain versions of the app)
Tick the circle next to “Off” under Message Requests and Messages

And your Instagram Direct Message notifications will get deactivated.

Read Instagram Messages on the “Airplane” mode

We have briefly discussed how you can enable Instagram Message alerts even if your phone is on the “Airplane” mode. In this section, we will discuss how you can avoid registering your read receipts via the “Airplane” mode. Simply follow the instructions given below to learn how:

Turn off your Wi-Fi/mobile data and then turn on your phone’s Airplane Mode

On your Android smartphone, you can reach the Quick Settings Menu by swiping down from the top of the main screen.

To activate Airplane mode on an iPhone, swipe down the main screen to access the Control Center and choose Airplane mode

Now visit your Instagram inbox
Read the messages
Log out from your account
Turn off the Airplane mode
Log into your account with the WiFi connection re-established

So now, after following all the steps above, you would’ve safely viewed your preferred Instagram message without registering the ominous “Seen” receipt.

Wrapping Up

Instagram’s direct messaging feature is known to function smoothly without any glitches. In addition, its system boasts a user interface that is simple and easy to use. The only difficulty, according to some users, is the read-receipt functionality.

When you notice that someone has seen your message but you have not received a response, it might get awkward to proceed. It also works the other way round if you send a message but never receive a read receipt.

Regrettably, there is no privacy setting that you may change to avoid this. Even the Airplane Mode technique does not always work, especially if you’re using Instagram through your browser rather than the mobile app itself.

CTA: Instagram DMs are an invaluable resource for brands to foster customer loyalty and trust. Sending personalized messages to your followers helps drive engagement and conversions, which is the ultimate purpose of marketing on Instagram. To learn more about using Instagram DMs for increasing your engagement, visit SocialPilot

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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. nine0003

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Privacy

Best Ways to Know if a Post on Instagram Has Been Read

Instagram is a fast-growing social network that connects people around the world. Now it's not just an opportunity to create your own blog and share your life, but also a full-fledged way to communicate. When the Direct messenger was added, the contact between users became even closer.

However, some people get confused when they see a rather complicated interface: it is not always immediately possible to understand when an SMS sent to the interlocutor has been read and when not. In this article, you will learn how to check if a person has read a message. nine0003

Where information about the delivery of a message to Instagram is displayed

You can find out if a message was read in a direct message immediately upon entering the dialog. The information will be written at the bottom, under a cloud of text. (PIC by myself)

How to find out if a message on Instagram has been read

Owners of all devices have the opportunity to find out if a person has read a message: this can be done both from an Android and IOS phone, and from a computer.

The written message will be delivered to the recipient immediately after sending. Soon he will receive a notification about the desire of another user to start a correspondence. As soon as he accepts the request, the sent text will be displayed in front of him, and a notification on your screen that the message has been viewed. nine0003

Depending on how much time has passed since the opening of the dialogue, it will be written next to it when the recipient read the direct (for example, “just now” or “a minute ago”).

How to find out if a message has been read in direct, on the phone (Android, IPhone)

So, how to understand if a message has been viewed while sitting on the phone? As soon as you send an SMS, the date of sending and the text itself will be displayed in the dialog. Mobile applications of both operating systems, Android (first image) and iPhone (second), have almost the same interfaces. nine0003

When the interlocutor opens the dialogue and reads the message, the word “Read” and the time when the SMS was viewed will be displayed below.

How to find out if a person has read a message on Instagram on a computer

Probably, some users are interested in knowing how read messages look like on a computer. In fact, there are no strong differences with the mobile version, and only some design elements are different - icons, fonts, and so on. The sent text, as in the version for phones, is enclosed in a small field. At the bottom, when the dialog has not yet been opened by the recipient, nothing is written. nine0003

But as soon as the sent text is noticed, a notice will be displayed under the SMS - “Viewed” and the time when this happened.

What does it mean if a message is not marked as read? In this case, you need to wait until the user opens the conversation.

If a person does not respond to your message for a long time, but is still online, you can assume that while he is simply ignoring you, you can understand this by looking at the main screen of Direct. nine0003

This describes who and when was last online and did something.

Read also: Instagram shows who is online: how to hide and see the status of

How to view a message on Instagram without reading it (unmarked)

Instagram has many interesting features that make using the social network much more convenient. One of these is the ability to quietly read the message. A very handy feature, isn't it? After all, what kind of person did not want to at least once in his life did not encounter a problem when he really did not want to answer in an objectionable situation, and the interlocutor was already notified of reading! nine0003

First, until the request for correspondence is accepted, the user will not know the read status of his messages. But even if the application was approved, it is possible to leave SMS unread. To do this, you need to add unwanted personalities to "Restricted Accounts". Here's how to do it on your phone:

Go to your profile by clicking on the profile picture in the lower right corner;
Click on the three bars at the top of the screen;
Select "Settings";
Scroll down and tap "Restricted Accounts";
Click on the "Continue" button and enter the nicknames of those users who do not need to see if you have read their messages.

It is also possible to add this restriction in other ways. For example, directly from the dialogue (however, if you already have an unread message in the correspondence, it is better to use another method). nine0003

Enter the dialog and click on the header (where the username and nickname are written).
Select "Restrict access" and confirm the action.

Another way is through the profile:

Log in to the account of the required person.
Click on the top three dots.
Select "Restrict access" and confirm the action.

The same result can be achieved from a computer, but only in one way - through the profile. nine0003

Log in to the account of the required person.
Click on the three dots to the right of the Follow button (or Send Message if you already follow this user).
Select "Restrict access" and confirm the action.

Read also: Enable and disable Disappearing messages on Instagram

Frequently asked questions

Instagram users often have questions about the messenger, and the most popular of them are answered below. nine0003

"- How to make a message back to 'unread' status?"

Unfortunately, there is no such feature on Instagram at the moment. However, you can add the user to "Restricted Accounts" or not accept the message request at all to keep the read status secret.

“- Is it possible to read deleted messages on Instagram?”

Alas, if the message does not violate the community rules, you cannot request its restoration. nine0003

“- How to hide that you are online on Instagram?”

Follow the following path: Your Profile -> Top Three Bars -> Privacy -> Online Status. In this section, disable the "Show network status" function. Now other users will not be able to know when you are online and offline.