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 computer1. 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 Insider3. 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 InsiderOnce 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 InsiderYou 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 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.
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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?
© Photo by freestocks from PixabayIn this article, we’ll be tackling different ways to DM that you might not have tried before and more!
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.
© Screencasted from InstagramAlternatively, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
© Screencasted from the Microsoft StoreThe 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.
© Screencasted from the Instagram Desktop App
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.
© Photo by FacebookInitially, 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.
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 PageThough 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.
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.
© Photo by Threads from the Play StoreWhile 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.
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
CONS
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.
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.
© Screencasted from Instagram’s official website
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.
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.
© Screencasted from InstagramBy 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.
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 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.
If you have Windows 10 installed on your computer, you can use the official Instagram* app from the Microsoft Store that supports direct messaging:
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.
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.
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.
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*.
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.
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.
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
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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:
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:
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:
Auto reply for direct
In the Automatic Replies section, you can set up a greeting for everyone who contacts you for the first time.
