How to find direct 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.
RECENT POSTS
The horizontal video, also known as landscape orientation, is still a widespread audiovisual format. How could it not be so? It's nothing but the...
Instagram photos in square format have always been the best approach to sharing our visual narrative. However, Instagram's traditional square photos a...
In the screen that you will see appear at this point, you will find at the top of the screen, in the Messages section, all the conversations you have in progress with the various users. To open the one you are interested in and then to view the related messages, click on the reference user’s name, and that’s it.
However, keep in mind that for each message received, Instagram will send you a specific notification that will be visible upon receipt at the top of the app window.
By clicking on it, you can directly view the received message and all the others that are part of the ongoing conversation without performing the steps above.
Until you see the messages you have received, Instagram will notify you of their presence by adding a badge to the paper airplane icon located in the app home’s upper right part.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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";
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
Spam blocking
Unfortunately, despite the fact that Instagram limits the number of messages per day, spam still continues to come to direct. To combat spammer accounts, Direct has a blocking function. You can do this in the following way: go to the spam message, click on the "i" image and select "Block". This account will no longer be able to send you messages. You can also file complaints about questionable accounts through the same "i" icon.
So, from our article you learned that direct on Instagram is not just another messenger for communication. It is a complete business tool. Using direct functions, you can find new customers, increase audience loyalty and sales, quickly convey information about your products, promotions, discounts, and receive feedback from users.
Remember: It's important not to overuse bulk advertising and only use content that belongs to you.
How to find LIVE videos on Instagram (live broadcasts)
Content:
On Instagram you can find and watch LIVE videos of people you follow. You will be able to see the people you follow who are streaming live at the top of your Instagram feed.
When someone goes live on Instagram, their avatar will be marked as "LIVE".
You can watch them live by clicking on their profile picture.
However, if you want to watch random Instagram live streams, you won't be able to see them at the top of your feed.
This is because you can only see LIVE videos of people you follow at the top of the feed.
In this guide, you will learn how to find, search, browse or watch the best and random Instagram live / live streams.
How to find live videos on Instagram
To find a LIVE video on Instagram, you need to watch the IGTV video and click "Browse IGTV".
After you click "Browse IGTV", you can see random lives on Instagram.
To see more live videos, click "View All" and you can see a list of them in a grid view.
To find IGTV videos, you can search by IGTV hashtag. Then click on any video with an IGTV icon to view it. Don't watch videos without IGTV because you won't be able to watch IGTV. Please note that LIVE videos may not always be displayed. This is because not many people live on Instagram.
If so, you should be back in a few hours.
Here are 6 steps to watch live video on Instagram:
1. Search for "IGTV".
You will see several icons on the bottom navigation bar.
This includes the home icon, search icon, plus icon and more.
Click the search icon on the bottom navigation bar to go to the study page.
At the top of the research page, you will see a search bar.
Search for "IGTV" using the search bar.
Then click "Tags" to see only hashtag search results.
Then click on the IGTV hashtag (#igtv) to see posts with the IGTV hashtag.
2. Click on the IGTV video.
Now you need to find the IGTV video.
IGTV videos are tagged with the IGTV icon.
Tap on an IGTV video (with an IGTV icon).
Do not view non-IGTV videos as you will not be able to view IGTV videos.
3. Watch the IGTV video.
If the video is an IGTV video, you will see an option to "Watch IGTV Video".
However, if the video is not an IGTV video, you won't see the "Watch IGTV video" option.
Now you need to expand the video again.
To do this, click "Watch IGTV Video" to view the video in full screen mode.
4. Click Browse IGTV.
Now you can watch videos in full screen mode.
In the bottom right corner of the video, you will see the IGTV Browse option.
Click Browse IGTV to browse IGTV.
This will allow you to see random Instagram live/live feeds.
5. Click View All.
You will see several titles on the IGTV page.
This includes Live and Video for You.
Under the "Videos for you" heading, you'll see IGTV videos recommended to you.
Under the "Live" heading, you'll see random live feeds on Instagram.
You will also see a View All option next to it.
Click "View All" to see all LIVE videos on Instagram.
Please note that the Live section may not be displayed all the time.
This is because not many people live on Instagram.
If you don't see it, please try again in a few hours.
6. Watch random live streams.
As a rule, live broadcasts at the top of the list have the most views.
In other words, the most popular concerts are at the top of the list.
As you scroll through the list, the number of views gets smaller and smaller.
Click on a video in the list to watch it.
You have successfully learned how to find and watch live broadcasts on Instagram!
Conclusion
Finding Live videos on Instagram is difficult because you need to view IGTV videos.
Currently, Instagram does not have a "Top Live Videos" feature, so you won't be able to find popular live videos.
If you want to watch a live broadcast of someone you follow on Instagram, you can click on their profile picture.
However, if their avatar is not marked as "Live", it means they are not being streamed live on Instagram.
