How do you get to 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.

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. 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

Vacancies

Privacy

Direct on Instagram: 5 life hacks of using

Direct is a convenient and easy way to send messages to a user on Instagram. Since its inception in 2013, Direct has evolved significantly, and now it is a full-fledged messenger with a variety of functionality. In addition to messages, users can send videos, photos to their interlocutors in direct, share pages of other accounts and publications. And in the latest updates, it became possible to send animated and disappearing messages. nine0003

Where is the direct

Finding the direct is pretty easy. To do this, you need to log into your Instagram account and pay attention to the icon in the upper right corner. Click on it and you will be taken to the private conversations of your direct. If you notice a red number next to the direct icon, then you have received a new message.

Why do you need a direct

In addition to a convenient way to quickly write messages to different users, using direct you can:

Hide your status. In this case, other users will not be able to see when you are online. This feature is located in the "Settings" - "Privacy" section. nine0116

Send a voice message. To do this, you need to hold the microphone icon at the bottom of your phone screen for a long time.

Send photos and videos from your smartphone's gallery. To do this, click on the landscape icon (located next to the microphone).

Share other accounts and posts with users.

Send animated images and GIFs. To do this, you need to click on the square with the smiley picture. nine0116
Record and send your own live video or photos. To do this, you need to click on the camera image in the lower left corner of the directive.
Cancel sending the message. Hold down the desired message for a few seconds and select "Cancel Send" from the menu that opens.
Mark message as unread. A good way to come back to a post after a while and reply to it later.
Send your location. nine0116

Life hacks for using Direct for business

"Quick Replies" feature

Business accounts often receive the same questions in direct from subscribers and potential customers. The "Quick Replies" feature for commercial accounts allows you to quickly respond to messages of the same type. If you do not have a business account, select in Settings - Company (or Author).

How to set up:

in your account settings you go to "Quick replies"; nine0116
click on the plus and create a message to reply;
before the message, write a word for speed dialing;
save the text.

Now, in order to quickly reply to messages, it will be enough to enter this code word.

Group chats

Group chat in direct allows you to quickly discuss all issues with a team of up to 32 people. Setting up a chat is easy. On the dialog page, click on the button in the upper right corner and add participants from your contacts that you want to invite to the group chat. nine0003

Direct mailings

Direct mailings are a good way to convey important information to your customers, because the mailing goes into private messages that users usually do not miss.

Mailing list examples:

greeting for new subscribers;
announcements of events and promotions;
new product announcements;
news;
live broadcast announcements;
thanks for choosing your company. nine0116

Direct mailings can be sent manually, or you can make them automatic. The first option is good for a small company with an individual approach to each client, because such mailing takes a lot of time.

Automatic distribution can be configured using online services. However, using these services is still undesirable, because it can lead to a ban from Instagram. To avoid blocking your account, do not send too many promotional emails. nine0003

Sales via direct

There are several ways to make a purchase via direct:

Online payment. In direct, you can send the client a link to pay for goods or services.
Selling landing page with the possibility of online payment. As in the previous methods, you send the link to the landing page to your customers in direct.
QR code. If your product has a mobile app, you can send a download barcode to the customer. And in the application itself, the client will be able to complete the purchase.
Learn more