How to block message requests on instagram
How to Turn Off Message Requests on Instagram
By John Awa-abuon
Learn how to block annoying message requests from Instagram strangers with this short and simple step-by-step guide.
You’re probably reading this article because you want to find out how to turn off Instagram message requests. This is a great idea since it will prevent people you're not following from bothering you with messages that you neither want to read nor reply to.
This article will show you how to turn off message requests on Instagram in just a few steps.
What Is a Message Request Anyway?
Before we get started, it's important to know what message requests are.
As an Instagram user whose profile is not private, every other Instagram user can send you a direct message. However, when a user you're not following sends you a message, Instagram keeps the message in a separate folder called "Message Requests".
When you get a message request, you can choose to accept or delete it after reading. Instagram also doesn't let the sender know you've read the message until you accept the request.
Why Turn Off Message Requests?
There are a few reasons why you might want to turn off message requests on Instagram. The most common is that you simply don't want to receive messages from people you're not following.
Related: Does Instagram Read Your Texts and Direct Messages?
Another good reason for turning off message requests is if your account isn't private and a lot of strangers are sending you direct messages. With many people messaging, it can get pretty distracting trying to keep up with all the DMs.
The ability to turn off message requests also comes in handy when you want to declutter your Instagram inbox.
How to Turn Off Message Requests on Instagram
Now that we've explained what message requests are and why you might want to turn them off, let's show you how to do so:
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- Launch the Instagram app on your device.
- Go to your profile.
- Tap on the hamburger icon to reveal the menu.
- Select Settings.
- Tap Privacy and select Messages on the Privacy page.
- On the Message Controls page, tap on Others on Instagram and select Don't receive requests. Do the same for Others on Facebook.
- You can also stop your followers (that you're not following back) from sending you message requests. Tap on Your followers on Instagram and, again, select Don't receive requests.
Now You Know How to Turn Off Message Requests on Instagram
As you can see, turning off message requests on Instagram is a fairly straightforward process. Just follow the steps we've outlined above, and you'll be good.
Keep in mind, though, that this will only prevent other people from messaging you directly.
It doesn't stop them from reaching out to you in other ways, like through comments on your posts.
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Related Topics
- Social Media
- Instant Messaging
- Productivity Tips
About The Author
John is a Consumer Technology Writer at MUO. In 2017, he began his writing career as a Reporter for a local media house. After two years of working in the traditional media, John decided to pursue a career that combines his two passions: writing and technology. He is currently studying for a degree in Criminology and Security Studies.
How to turn off message requests on Instagram (2023)
- How-to
- iPhone
Written byAnkur
January 6, 2023
2 minute read
When a person who is not on your contact list or whom you do not follow sends you an Instagram message, it goes to the Requests section by default.
The latest Facebook Messenger and Instagram integration released many features, of which one is the ability to turn off message requests on Instagram.
It allows you to not only block message requests from strangers but also those spam bots. Let us get straight in and learn to enable the ‘Don’t receive requests’ feature.
How to disable Instagram message requests on iPhone and Android
- Open the Instagram app, tap your profile picture from the bottom right.
- Tap the hamburger icon (three lines) at the top right.
- Now, tap Settings → Privacy.
- From here, tap Messages.
- Tap Others on Instagram.
- Finally, select Don’t Receive Requests.
Tip: If you do not want to get notifications from other people from Facebook, tap Others on Facebook in step 5 and choose Don’t Receive Requests.
Note: In an unlikely situation, if you do not see these options, update the Instagram app from iPhone App Store.
If it’s the notification and not the actual messages that’s irking you, you can simply turn off request notifications.
How to turn off Instagram message requests notifications
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap the hamburger icon.
- Choose Settings → Notifications.
- Tap Messages.
- Select Off for Message Requests.
This is how you can turn off message requests on Instagram. As mentioned earlier, once you turn off message requests on Instagram, people you do not follow won’t be able to send you a message. They will still see a Message button if they visit your profile (maybe Instagram will gray it out in the future). But when they try to send you a message, it will show ‘[username] can’t receive your message.
They don’t allow new message requests from everyone.’
If you need any other help related to this, please reach me via the comments section below.
More helpful Instagram posts for you:
- What happens when you restrict someone on Instagram
- How to hide likes and views on your Instagram posts
- How to share a tweet on Instagram Story on iPhone
- How to download Instagram Stories on iPhone
iGeeksBlog has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. We may earn commissions on purchases made using our links. However, this doesn’t affect the recommendations our writers make. You can read more about our review and editorial process here.
Author
I have been an Apple user for over seven years now. At iGeeksBlog, I love creating how-tos and troubleshooting guides that help people do more with their iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. In my free time, I like to watch stand up comedy videos, tech documentaries, news debates, and political speeches.
How to view requests for correspondence on Instagram and disable
Instagram pays great attention to security and comfort for its users. Correspondence on Instagram is also governed by community rules, and the rules for its conduct are determined by the settings of the social network.
To reduce the risk of receiving a nasty or offensive message, Instagram has developed a message request feature.
What does the request for correspondence on Instagram mean
Where the message sent to you goes depends on whether you are following the person or not. nine0003
In the first case, it is assumed that by subscribing you have expressed interest in and trust in the content of the account. Therefore, a message from him will immediately fall into the list of chats.
In the second case, if a person whom you did not follow writes to you, the message will appear in the correspondence requests. Thus, Instagram protects its users from receiving potentially unpleasant information.
How to view correspondence requests
To view correspondence requests:
- click on the Direct icon in the upper right corner of the ribbon:
- select the “Requests” tab:
You will receive a list of correspondence requests. Those of them that Instagram automatically regarded as unpleasant and unwanted immediately fall into the hidden requests section:
You can trust Instagram to filter such requests, or you can configure it yourself by selecting the “Change preferences for hidden words” function:
You can set it inside protection from offensive comments and requests to chat, or hide comments and requests you don't want to see by creating a custom list of words, phrases, and emoticons. nine0003
After examining the correspondence request, it can be accepted, blocked or deleted. To do this, you need to:
- go to the message request,
- apply the action from the list at the bottom of the screen: “Accept” (the message will be added to the chat), “Delete” (the request will disappear from the list), “Block” (block the account or complain to him):
Instagram provides the opportunity to clear your Direct from all requests for correspondence at a time.
To do this, select the “Delete all” option in the list of requests:
How to turn off message requests
If you don't want to receive message requests at all, you can turn them off:
- go to the "Settings" tab by clicking "Three bars" on the main profile page:
- select "Privacy" ”:
- scroll down to the “Messages” section:
- here you can turn off requests for correspondence from followers: in the “Your followers on Instagram” section, check the box “Do not receive requests”, and then click “ Update settings”:
- or turn off requests for correspondence from accounts that are not following you by similarly selecting the “Do not receive requests” button for the “People on Facebook” and “Other Instagram users” groups.
In message management, you can disable message requests from group chats that you don't follow. To do this, in the “Who can add you to groups” section, select “Only people you follow on Instagram”.
How to unlock correspondence requests
If you don't receive new notifications in chat requests, you probably have this feature disabled. To verify this, go to the “Message management” section:
- click on “Three stripes” on the main profile page,
- select “Settings”,
- scroll to the “Messages” tab.
When messaging requests are disabled, you will see the inscription “Do not receive” next to user groups:
To unblock receiving messaging requests from followers on Instagram, click on the appropriate tab and put a blue checkmark in the “Message requests folder” field: nine0003
Similar actions can be taken with respect to people on Facebook and other Instagram users, that is, non-followers.
How to block private messages on Instagram
Instagram's instant messaging feature has been around for several years. People use direct messages or "DMs" to share content on Instagram and chat with each other.
While Instagram is a very user-friendly platform, there is no official way to completely turn off Direct Messages.
However, there are workarounds to help you stay focused on direct messages. nine0003
There are several workarounds to never receive private messages. Here's how to do it on Android, iOS, and desktop.
Account restriction
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If you are tired of hearing from someone and want their messages to go directly to the Requests messages", you can always restrict any account you like. In addition, you will be able to control whether other users can see their comments on your posts. Most importantly, you won't have to unfollow or block them, so the account won't be able to know that you've restricted them. nine0003
Android and iOS
There are two ways to restrict people on Instagram. Here's the first way:
- Go to a conversation with this person in a private message.
- Touch the "i" icon in the upper right corner.
- Select Restrict
And the second way:
- Go to the person's profile
- Click Subscription.
- Click Limit.
Desktop
- Go to your personal account
- Click the three dots icon in the top right corner of their profile.
- Select Restrict.
- Click Limit Account to confirm.
Account suspension
Account suspension will prevent this person from finding your Instagram profile, story, or posts. Of course, this automatically applies to direct messages as well. While Instagram won't tell the account that you've blocked them, they may know when they can't find your profile. nine0003
Android and iOS
Blocking people on mobile devices works the same as restricting them. Just follow these steps:
- Go to the person's profile and tap on the three dots in the top right corner.
- Select Block.
Desktop
You can lock a desktop account from the menu you would use to lock an account.
However, a person can also be blocked on the direct messages page. nine0003
- Go to your private messages.
- Select a conversation with the person you want to block.
- Touch the "i" icon in the upper right corner.
- Select Block.
- Confirm with "Block".
Private profile
As long as your profile is public, anyone can send you messages. They don't need your approval to do this. If this annoys you, there is a great solution. With a private profile, only your followers can message you directly, and you need to approve the followers. So, here's how to make your profile private. Please note that author accounts cannot be private. nine0003
Android and iOS
- Open the Instagram app.
- Access your profile by tapping its icon.
- Touch the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines).
- Touch Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Check the radio button next to "Personal account".
Desktop
- Go to Instagram.com and log in. nine0002
- Click your profile icon located in the top right corner of your browser.
- Select Settings
- Go to the "Privacy and Security" section in the left pane.
- At the top of the screen, under Account Privacy, select the Personal Account check box.
Disabling notifications
So you can't completely disable Private Message. But if notifications bother you, you can turn them off very quickly. nine0003
Android and iOS
- Tap your profile icon.
- Click Your Activities.
- Click the Time tab.
- Select Notification Settings.
- If you want to turn off notifications for private messages only, click "Private Messages" and configure the settings.
- Alternatively, if you want to turn off all notifications, turn on the toggle next to Pause All. nine0002
As you can see, you can pause notifications for various Instagram features.
How to make your profile private on desktop
- Go to your Instagram profile
- Go to settings.’
- Select "Push Notifications" in the left panel.
- Scroll down to "Instagram Direct Queries".
- Select Off.
Sorry, desktop features are limited. If you want to improve the customization, please use your mobile device/tablet.
Disable story replies
One of the easiest ways to send you private messages on Instagram is to reply to a story you've posted. They can do so directly by clicking the button at the bottom of the published story. Luckily, this feature can be turned off fairly easily.
Android and IOS
- Tap your profile icon.
nine0020 - Go to settings.
- Select "Privacy".
- Click on "History"
- Press "Off" Under "Allow Responses and Reactions".
Reject messages
When someone you don't follow sends you a message, the private message won't go straight to your inbox. You'll be notified (unless you've disabled this option), but the message will appear in the Message Requests tab, so the person won't see if you've read the message. Direct messages in the Message Requests tab can be accepted or declined. If you accept such a message, it will be transferred to your mailbox. If you decline the request, the message will be deleted. nine0003
The great thing about this feature is that you can delete multiple requests at once. If there are many such requests, just click "Delete All" and all requests will be deleted.
- Go to your mailbox by tapping/clicking the arrow icon in a private message.
- Select the Message Requests tab (if you don't currently have any requests, the tab is not shown).
- Touch / click Delete All.
FAQ
Can I only block certain accounts from sending direct messages to Instagram?
You cannot block an account from sending you DMs without unfollowing the account and making your profile private. As mentioned earlier, limiting/banning an account can be a good workaround.
How long does a DM block on Instagram last?
If you block someone, they will remain blocked until you choose to unblock them. To unlock an account, navigate to your desired Instagram profile and you will see the unlock feature. Click and confirm the unlock by clicking Unlock. Works the same way on desktop
Does Instagram DM have a limit?
There are no official restrictions on sending messages on it. However, the account will be blocked from sending more messages within 24 hours after sending 50-100 DM in one day. However, the account is not blocked - it just cannot send messages during the day.
Instagram introduced this limit to counter the abuse of this feature.
Does Instagram Direct Message expire? nine0101
When you post a photo to Instagram and don't select a mode that allows the photo to stay in the chat, the photo will expire and be deleted after being seen. However, this does not apply to Instagram direct messages. Unlike Snapchat, Instagram saves all chat history. However, if you delete the chat, this history will be deleted.
Does it delete private messages when blocked on Instagram?
Although the person you have blocked will not receive any messages you try to send to them and will not be able to access your profile or DM, the chat history will not be deleted. If you ever unblock a person, the chat history will remain intact. Provided, of course, that you have not deleted the chat. nine0003
Conclusion
While you can't completely turn off private messaging on Instagram, there are some workarounds you can take that might work for you.
