How to dm on instagram without app

How to Send and Receive DMs on Instagram From a Computer

You can DM on Instagram from your computer using any internet browser.
To send direct messages from your computer, head to the Instagram website and click the paper plane icon in the top-right.
This story is part of Business Insider's Guide to Instagram.

In April 2020, Instagram added the ability to send direct messages to its desktop website.

This means that Instagram users can now send direct messages, photos, gifs, and other kinds of media, as well as start group chats, unsend messages, and reply to chats using reactions, right from their desktop.

However, some direct message features — like video chats — only remain available In the mobile app version.

Here's how to use the direct message feature on Instagram using your desktop computer.

How to send a direct message on Instagram from a computer

1. Using your preferred internet browser, go to the Instagram desktop website and log in.

2. Once you've logged in, select the paper plane icon in the top-right corner to access Direct Messages.

You can access your direct messages from any page. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

3. You'll be shown all of your active conversations. Click one to open it, or start a new one by clicking "Send Message" or the pencil-and-paper icon.

There are two ways to start a new conversation.

Meira Gebel/Business Insider

4. When starting a new conversation, begin typing in the name or username of the person you want to message, or select an account from the list of "Suggested" users.

5. Type your message into the text box at the bottom, and then select "Send."

You can also press Enter or Return to send it. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

Once you've sent a message, you can click the three dots next to it and then click "Unsend" to take the message back.

Once you unsend a message, the message will be removed from the chat, no matter if the recipient has seen it or not. There's no time limit for unsending messages on Instagram.

You can "Unsend" a message at any time. Meira Gebel/Business Insider

You can also delete an entire chat conversation by clicking the "i" icon in the top-right, and then selecting "Delete chat." Note, however, that this only deletes the chat on your end — the recipient will still be able to see it.

This will delete every message in the conversation — on your end.

Meira Gebel/Business Insider

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William Antonelli and Kerry Wan contributed to a previous version of this article.

Meira Gebel

Meira Gebel is a freelance reporter based in Portland, Oregon. She writes about business, culture, and technology for Insider. Her work has been featured in Digital Trends, Willamette Week, USA Today, and more. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School and San Francisco State University. Feel free to reach out to her on Twitter, where she can be found most of the time, @MeiraGebel.

Different Ways You've Never Heard Of

Instagram is among the top-ranking social media platforms of today. It’s a straightforward platform that allows users to share their life events via photos and communicate with each other. Sending private messages is also possible through the platform’s ‘Direct Message’ function. It’s actually quite easy but have you ever wondered if there are other ways on how to DM on Instagram?

In this article, we’ll be tackling different ways to DM that you might not have tried before and more!

How to DM on Instagram: The Traditional Way

Instagram is an essential mobile app for most users because it does a variety of things such as content sharing, business promotion, and of course, messaging.

Before trying out other methods, the best and easiest way to send DMs on Instagram is still the traditional way. This is also the safest way to send messages via Instagram because you’re sure that no third-party permissions will have access to your messages.

To DM on Instagram, simply open your Instagram app. Tap on the airplane icon on the top right corner or simply swipe left. Next, tap on the ‘New Message’ icon on the top right. You’ll be prompted to select the users that you’d like to chat with. After selecting a user, you can type down your message, take and send a photo, or send a photo or video from your gallery.

Alternatively, you can also send a message to one of your followers or someone that you’re following by visiting their profile. You’ll see a ‘Message’ tab on their profile and all you have to do is tap on it to be able to send them a private message.

This is undoubtedly the most efficient way to send Instagram DMs. However, if you’re having trouble with this method, you can always opt to try others.

Reasons to Try Other DM Methods

There are a couple of reasons why you’d want to try other methods of sending messages via Instagram. First, you might not have access to the app. While it’s rare to have an Instagram account without access to the app, there are circumstances that it is unavoidable. Such circumstances include the inability to download the app, inability to log-in, or technical app problems among others. In such cases, it’s best to try an alternative.

Another reason is convenience. If you’re using Instagram as your primary messaging platform yet you seldom use your phone, you might consider installing the app on your desktop or laptop instead. If you’re one of those who mostly work in front of their laptops or PCs for long hours, this idea could definitely work you wonders.

Lastly, you might find it easier to use other methods as compared to the traditional way of sending Instagram DMs. It might just save your time or put less effort on your end.

Regardless of the reason, it’s best to bear these alternative methods in mind just in case you might need them in the long run.

How to DM on Instagram: Ways You Haven’t Heard Of

If you’re looking for ways to DM on Instagram without using the Instagram app, you’re in the right place. However, keep in mind that the safest way to DM on Instagram is still by using the official app or by going to the official website. Always exercise caution if you plan on logging into your account with a third-party platform or app.

Without further ado, here’s how to DM on Instagram using different ways other than the Instagram app.

1. How to DM on Instagram via the Instagram Website?

If you’re using a laptop or PC, accessing Instagram via their website is one safe and easy method to start. Simply head to the official Instagram website and sign-in with your account. From there, you’ll find the message icon on the top bar. Simply tap the icon and you’ll be taken to your DMs. Note that while you can still use some functions such as sending photos from your gallery, you won’t be able to send live photos.

This method is especially helpful if you have a business on Instagram because it’ll help you respond to messages faster.

2. How to DM on Instagram via PC?

If you have a laptop or desktop that runs on Windows 10, you can install Instagram from the Microsoft Store. Simply open your Microsoft Store app and search for Instagram. Install the desktop client and you’re pretty much set after that. Just log into your account and you’ll be able to use Instagram on your desktop.

The desktop client is very similar to the website and your messaging features will still be limited to the basics of sending messages and sending photos from your gallery. Having Instagram’s desktop client is relatively easier to use as compared to accessing a browser first. However, the downside of this is that the application is only available for Windows and not for Apple users.

3. How to DM on Instagram via Facebook Messenger?

This method used to be exclusive for unified Instagram and Facebook pages. Nonetheless, Facebook has announced that they’ll be rolling out a new update that will allow for cross-platform messaging between Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and vice-versa.

Before anything else, if you run a Facebook page and have it linked to your Instagram account, you should be able to access your comments and DMs through your Facebook page’s inbox. This is a helpful feature especially for businesses because they’ll be able to check their messages in one place.

In addition, Facebook stated that the new feature will include selfie stickers, a ‘Watch Together’ feature using IGTV, and a vanishing message feature.

Initially, the said new update is set to be offered only to select users and markets. However, it’s still unclear when this feature will be made available globally.

4. How to DM on Instagram via Emulator?

While using iOS and Android emulators is common for playing games, you can also utilize it to access your Instagram account. Through emulators, you can easily get hold of Instagram’s messaging features but it’s not guaranteed that you’ll be able to use them properly. Bluestacks is one emulator you can use to download the Instagram app on your desktop.

Photo from BlueStacks Official Page

Though this method of accessing Instagram’s feature via an emulator is possible, it’s still recommended that you use the website or the desktop client instead as it’s pretty much secure that way in terms of handling your login credentials.

5. How to DM on Instagram via Third-Party App?

While this method isn’t recommended because it allows third party access to your account, it’s still an option to consider if you’re looking for something that solely focuses on sending out messages and statuses.

‘Threads from Instagram’ is an app to consider as it appears similar to Instagram but entirely different at the same time. Also, the app also offers features the same as Snapchat where you can share video messages and photos with your close friends on Instagram.

While the app provides you with a great way to connect with your close friends without having to open the Instagram app, it’s far from perfect and you’re better off using the official app.

For more information on Threads, you can visit the Play Store and App Store.

Pros and Cons

Before considering other methods of how to DM on Instagram, you must be aware first of the various factors that might affect your entire experience. In that regard, here are the good and bad sides of using other Instagram DM methods.

PROS

Variety of methods to choose from
Great for desktop/PC users
Multi-platform access
Convenient for Instagram Business users

CONS

Compromised privacy and safety
Not as efficient as the mobile app
Limited use of messaging tools
Doesn’t support mass messaging

Instagram DM: How to Stay Safe?

Instagram, being a major social media platform, has its fair share of threats that might put your account at risk. In any case, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Having said that, here are a couple of safety tips that you can do to ensure that you remain secured while using Instagram.

1.) Check Your Login Activity

This is important especially if you’re using third-party apps or the Instagram website. With this feature, you can easily check a list of locations where your account is logged in and even look through previous account activity. If you find something fishy or unfamiliar, you can easily log-out from those devices via the Instagram website. It’s also crucial to change your password if you happen to find any strange activity on your account.

2.) Ignore Messages

If someone that you don’t follow sends you a DM, it will appear as a request in your inbox. To see if you have any message requests, you can tap the ‘Message’ icon on your feed or swipe left. This will take you directly to your DMs.

If you have any message requests, it should appear on the menu bar alongside the ‘Primary and General’ messages tab. Tap on the requests and open the messages that you’d like to see. By opening the messages, you can opt to accept it and connect with the user, delete the message, or block them.

Note that if you accept a message from someone, their future messages will automatically go to your inbox.

3.) Set Your Account to Private

To keep your account safe or restricted from everyone on Instagram, you can always set it to private which will result in limited interactions. By doing this, only your friends and people that know you have access or can view your personal account.

To set your account to private, simply open your Instagram app, head to Settings > Privacy > Account Privacy, and toggle the ‘Private Account’ switch.

By setting your account to private, DMs from people that you know will be filtered. Moreover, you will now have the ability to either approve or deny any following requests. In any case, always remember to be smart and to exercise general internet safety before communicating with anyone on any platform. Don’t entertain any strangers who will try to connect with you and refrain from accepting follow requests from odd or fishy accounts.

Takeaways

Staying connected is very important especially in today’s world where social media reaches billions of users. Messaging platforms such as FB Messenger and Instagram act like a bridge that connects people from the far reaches of the world, with just a single tap on their phones. But, while it’s easy to use Instagram, there might be some uncontrollable circumstances that might hinder you from utilizing the app properly. Nowadays, there are various ways on how to DM on Instagram but ideally, it’s still best to access their platform via their official mobile app, desktop client, and website. By doing so, you will be much safer from cyberthreats that might compromise your login credentials.

Direct on Instagram* on a computer - 4 ways

Direct messages on Instagram* make it easy to communicate privately with other users, but by default, this is only possible in the app on your phone or tablet. Although sometimes it would be more convenient to write in direct on Instagram * on a computer - this can be done.

This manual describes in detail three ways to open and write to direct Instagram * on a computer or laptop - either simply through a browser without installing anything, or using additional utilities for these purposes. You may also find it helpful: How to post a photo to Instagram* from a computer.

The official Instagram app* for Windows 10
How to open and write to direct Instagram* on a computer using a browser
Direct Message for Instagram* extension for Google Chrome
Program to write direct Instagram* from computer
Video instruction

Official Instagram app* for Windows 10 with support for direct messages

If you have Windows 10 installed on your computer, you can use the official Instagram* app from the Microsoft Store that supports direct messaging:

Open the app store (usually the icon is located in the taskbar), search for Instagram* and install the free official app.
After launching, at the bottom, click "Login" and log in with your username and password.
When the application is running, you will see a Direct icon to access your messages.
If you need to direct Instagram* to another person, find him in your subscriptions or simply through the search, open his profile and click the "Write" button (only if you follow him).
If you are not subscribed to a person, then to write to him in direct, open his profile, click on the menu button and select "Send message".

As you can see, everything is very simple - the Instagram direct* is in the usual place, and its use should not present any difficulties, in this part the application works properly.

By the way, in Windows 10, pressing the Windows key + period (in the bottom row on the right) will open the panel for quickly entering emoji, it can come in handy.

How to direct write Instagram* from a computer using a browser

This method allows you to open a direct on Instagram* on a computer or laptop with any version of Windows and other OS and use it without any additional programs: a browser on your computer is enough, it is completely safe, but perhaps not always convenient.

In your browser (I'm demonstrating in Google Chrome, but you can do it in other browsers too), go to https://www.instagram.com/*. If you are prompted to sign in, enter your username and password.
The Instagram* site will open with your account and photos, but without a directive. Next step: Right-click anywhere on the page and select View Code. In other browsers, this item may have a different name, for example, in Yandex Browser - "Explore element".
The developer panel will open (it can open both on the right and at the bottom of the page), in it click on the emulation of mobile devices icon (first arrow), then select any mobile device, if you are not satisfied with the scale, change it, and then update page.
The appearance of the page will change and now the Instagram direct icon* will be available on it, where you can see your correspondence.
To start a direct chat with another person (who is not in direct chat), find him, go to his profile and click "Send message" (for the button to appear, you need to subscribe to him).

I think for everyone who is familiar with using Instagram* everything will be simple: direct from a computer works almost the same as from a phone.

The method is good for everyone, except that the steps to enable emulation of a mobile device on a computer will have to be done again each time. If you want to avoid this, there are other methods.

Direct Message for Instagram* extension for Google Chrome

A free extension is available in the Google Chrome extension store for using direct on Instagram* from a computer, which is called Direct Message for Instagram*.

Install the extension from the official Chrome extension store.
After installation, a direct icon will appear to the right of the address bar of the browser, click on it: a separate window will open (you may need to enter data to log in to Instagram*) with your account.
All actions for writing to direct from the extension are similar to steps 4-5 from the previous method.

In fact, all this extension does is launch a browser window with an open Instagram* website with the necessary parameters and emulation of a mobile device, convenient, fast and available at any time.

IG:dm program for using direct on Instagram* from a computer

There is a separate free program for Windows, Mac OS and Linux called IG:dm (Instagram* Desktop Messenger) and is specially designed for messaging in direct Instagram* from a computer or laptop. The official website of the program is https://igdm.me (keep in mind that some antiviruses can block its download, but judging by VirusTotal everything is completely clean).

After installing the program, you will need to log in with your Instagram* data, as a result you will see a kind of instant messenger for direct correspondence.

You can search for users (not only among those who are subscribed or who are subscribed to you) and write messages to them in the program window, reply, all this in a convenient way.

In my test, the program works fine, but it sometimes feels too slow. However, if you text a lot on Instagram*, IG:dm might be the fastest way to DM from your computer or laptop.

Direct Instagram* on a computer or laptop - video

I think one of the proposed methods of using direct messages will suit your use case and you will be satisfied.

* Belongs to Meta Platforms, recognized as an extremist organization, its activities are banned in Russia

remontka.pro in Telegram | Other subscription methods14e93bf42e7b84a842bfb878869a35e460a86df78995d13819ad04","title":"\u041f\u0440\u043e\u0434\u044e\u0441\u0435\u0440\u044b vc.ru \u043f\u0440\u043e\u0432\u0435\u0440\u044f\u044e\u0442 \u0448\ u0443\u043c\u043e\u0434\u0430\u0432 \u0432 \u0422\u0431\u0438\u043b\u0438\u0441\u0438","buttonText":"\u042d\u0442\u043e \u043a\u0430a?"," imageUuid":"bf749ef5-3154-5029-a8d8-4dcbcbfac3ff","isPaidAndBannersEnabled":false}

62208 views

I have more than 5 Instagram accounts in my work. The problem is constantly switching between accounts in order to track comments and respond in direct.

It's a pain to keep track of comments on ads: go to each one, check, log in to Instagram, reply.

Facebook took care of this: you can parse all incoming messages in one place without switching anywhere.

Facebook Business Page, Inbox. An Instagram business account is linked to the page.

All messages addressed to the brand are available within one window:

from Messenger;
Instagram Direct;
from Facebook and Instagram comments on posts;
and even ads.

Unfortunately, there is no way to see requests for correspondence from direct.

The same functionality is available from a smartphone through the Pages app:

Facebook Pages Manager in the App Store.

Facebook Page Manager on Google Play.

Important!

You must have a Facebook business page and an Instagram account linked to it.

It is not necessary to have a Facebook business page, but it is technically required to link to it.

Mini CRM for inbox

Tracking cases is getting easier. Now they can be sorted out using labels, marked as unread, sent to spam or to the Done folder.

And also, give access rights to the business page to all participants in business processes and no longer torment your Instagram account with logins from different devices and from different places. You know he doesn't like it.

Brief information about the user is available for each direct message:

profile description;
profile link;

More is available to those who contacted Facebook Messenger - up to the user's local time, place of work, and the date from which the person followed your Facebook business page.

For each contact, you can add complete information (phone, e-mail, birthday, postal address), your free-form note and several labels.

Labels can be named differently, which makes it possible to separate all calls into categories. For example, track the source from where the person found out about the account, add the date of the first contact, the subject of the request, and so on.

In the future, to search for all hits from the category, just type the name of the label in the search: “from comments”, “May 8, 2020”, “delivery” and so on.

You can sort requests by the degree of their processing and quality:

move to the "Done" folder.
mark as unread.
add to favorites.
add to spam

Auto reply for direct

In the Automatic Replies section, you can set up a greeting for everyone who contacts you for the first time.