How to get different emojis on instagram

How To React To Messages On Instagram

It’s been more than a year, or since Sep. 29, 2020, to be precise, that Instagram added a feature allowing us to use emoji reactions when responding to DMs. Around the same time, another update came out, addressing those who wanted to know how to reply to a message on Instagram. Yet many aren’t aware of this update, let alone knowing how to react to messages on Instagram or how to reply on Instagram DM.

Instagram DM reactions are a convenient way of bonding with our followers and friends without having to speak or type a word. And knowing how to reply to an Instagram message allows you to single out one message in a sea of Instagram DMs in a group chat or a conversation with your friends. And although many reliable Instagram DM apps try to help us do what the official app doesn’t allow, none of them made Instagram reactions or replies possible.

That’s why in this article, we’ll provide a thorough guide on using Instagram emoji reactions for direct messages and how to reply to messages on Instagram!

So, stay tuned to find out! And in case you’re searching for an effective IG DM app, why don’t you start with DMpro now?!

Contents[hide]

1 Why Learn How to React in Instagram DM & Reply
- 1. 1 Do We Need to Take Extra Measures to Find Out How to React & Reply on Instagram Messages
2 How to React to Messages on Instagram in 4 Steps
- 2.1 #1 Update Instagram
- 2.2 #2 Open a Conversation on the App
- 2.3 #3 Bring Up Emoji Reactions
  - 2.3.1 How to Change the Default Heart Emoji
- 2.4 React to an Instagram Message with an Emoji
  - 2.4.1 How to Customize Instagram Emoji Reactions
3 How to React to Messages on Instagram PC
4 How to Reply to a Message on Instagram
5 FAQs on Instagram Reactions & Replies
- 5.1 1- How Do You Like a Message on Instagram?
- 5.2 2- How to Laugh at a Message on Instagram?
- 5.3 3- Why Can’t I React to Messages on Instagram?
- 5.4 4- How to Change Emoji Reactions in Instagram DMs?
- 5.5 5- Why Can’t I Reply to a Message on Instagram?!
6 Bottom Line on How to React & Reply to Messages on Instagram

Why Learn How to React in Instagram DM & Reply

Have you ever had a conversation where you didn’t know how to answer the last text message? Or, have you ever wondered how to reply to a specific message in the Instagram DM section because if you had just sent your answer after 100 messages on an Instagram group chat, it would sound out-of-place?! If you’ve suffered in these situations, then you know how much of a blessing it is to finally find out how to react to Instagram messages or how to reply.

In fact, these new changes took place to further expand Facebook’s cross-platform messaging system to Instagram, a platform Facebook acquired in 2012. In short, Facebook improved the messaging experience on Instagram by adding many of the Messenger features to it.

This means that you can message your friends on Facebook from Instagram. But it also means that you have access to more features. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can now mass DM on Instagram or turn off the read receipt on Instagram.

Before this update, Instagram users could only react to DMs by double-tapping on a message and only using the heart emoji. But now, we can all customize the emojis we use to react to messages on Instagram.

Emoji reactions are well-favored by most of us. Sometimes, an appropriate emoji can convey our message better than words. These small icons on our cell phone keyboards add a layer of fun and entertainment to our daily online conversations. The experience of using them on Instagram DM has been even more exciting since the option was released.

Do We Need to Take Extra Measures to Find Out How to React & Reply on Instagram Messages

The whole point of adding these new options is that anyone can now access emoji reactions and the ‘Reply’ button on the official app. So, you don’t need to take any extraordinary measures to be able to use Instagram emoji reactions for direct messages or to reply.

Generally, to learn how to react to messages on Instagram, you can take these short four steps:

Update the app to the latest version
Then, open one of your conversations
And, hold your finger on a DM to see emoji reactions
Finally, select one of the emojis to react

Finding out how to reply to a message on Instagram is as easy! You only need to take this instruction:

Update the Instagram app.
Now, open your Instagram DM section and choose a conversation or group chat.
Then, tap and hold any message until the options appear.
Finally, choose ‘Reply’ and type your message!

Let’s get more specific about these steps and find out how to react to messages on Instagram.

How to React to Messages on Instagram in 4 Steps

As you already know, it’s pretty easy to use emojis to react to messages on Instagram. Now it’s time to talk about the details of each step and show you how they’re done.

Remember all of the four steps are actionable on Instagram’s mobile app and not on other versions.

#1 Update Instagram

The first step is by far the most basic one; however no less important. No matter what you want to do on Instagram, it’s best to make sure you’re using the latest version.

Besides the inclusion of new features, these updates often include security and stability improvements as well. This is why you need to update the app regularly to not miss out on any features or improvements.

In fact, most of the people who can’t react to Instagram messages or complain about Instagram emoji reactions for direct messages not working haven’t updated the app. If you do so, you can easily see the options.

To update Instagram, you must visit Google Play Store (or App Store if you’re an iPhone user). If there are any updates available, you’ll see the button.

Update the Instagram application

Pro tip: after updating Instagram, go to the app ‘Settings’ and select ‘Update Messaging’ to run this feature on your phone.

#2 Open a Conversation on the App

The second step you need to take to figure out how to react with emojis on Instagram DM is not complicated either! Just, launch the application on your cell phone and log in to your account if you haven’t already.

Now go to one of your chats. You can do this by tapping on the Instagram messages icon on the top-right side of the screen.

#3 Bring Up Emoji Reactions

Once you’ve opened a conversation, you can start reacting to any of the DMs with emojis. To do this, double-tap on a DM to react to it. By default, you can react to direct messages on Instagram with the heart emoji.

However, if you press and hold a message, an emoji list will appear from which you can choose the one you want.

Choose an emoji to react to messages on Instagram

Pro tip: since Instagram DMs have been merged with FB Messenger, you’ll only see this feature if you’ve already connected your Facebook account. Simply go to the Instagram app ‘Settings’ and select ‘Accounts Center’ to link your FB account.

How to Change the Default Heart Emoji

You’re probably curious to know whether it’s possible to change the default heart emoji to something else.

To change the heart emoji used when double-tapping on a DM:

Hold your finger on a DM
Next, from the set of emojis that appears, tap and hold on the heart emoji
Then, choose the emoji you want
Now, press ‘done.’

Pro tip: if you cannot see this list, this Instagram feature isn’t available in your country of residence. Sadly, there’s nothing else you can do to access it.

React to an Instagram Message with an Emoji

Finally, as we said earlier, from the set of emojis Instagram has included, you can choose one to react to a DM.

Easy peasy, right? You just have to press and hold a DM to bring up the emojis list and use one as you wish.

Pro tip: if you react to a direct message with the wrong emoji, you can simply remove it. This time you need to tap and hold the emoji you used to remove it.

But what if you want to change the whole set? Would that be possible? Of course!

How to Customize Instagram Emoji Reactions

Many emojis are available on our cell phone keyboards, but we rarely use more than 20 of them. The same goes with using them on Instagram to react to messages. So that’s why you should customize your emoji reactions to save yourself from searching for them every time.

To personalize the Instagram emoji reactions list:

Tap and hold on a DM
From the emoji list that pops on your screen, tap on the plus ‘+’ icon

how to customize Instagram reactions

Then choose ‘Customize’ from the menu.

how to customize emoji reactions

Now, add emojis and customize the list as you prefer.
Finally, tap on the mark in the top right corner.

Change Instagram emoji reactions

Pro tip: remember that the emoji you set as your first will appear when you double-tap on messages.

How to React to Messages on Instagram PC

So far, the steps we mentioned and explained work for those who were wondering how to react to messages on Instagram iPhone or Android. But perhaps you’re one of those people who prefers to send DMs on Instagram on PC or Mac.

If you are, then we have bad news for you. Unfortunately, you can’t use custom emojis to react to DMs on Instagram for Windows or Instagram web.

The only one available on these two versions is the heart emoji which you can double-click on a DM to use it. You can easily remove it by left-clicking on the heart icon below a direct message and choosing ‘Select to remove. ’

How to Reply to a Message on Instagram

So far, you’ve learned all about Instagram reactions. But how do you reply to a specific message on Instagram? Let’s master it if you don’t know the answer yet!

If you’ve fully learned the steps on how to react to a message on Instagram, you have a headstart here! The first and second steps you need to take to figure out how to reply on Instagram are:

Update the application,
And choose one of your conversations from the DM inbox.

So far, so good, right?! Now, let’s see what you need to do differently!

After selecting a conversation and choosing the message you want to reply to, you should:

Tap and hold that DM.
Now, from the options that appear, select ‘Reply.’

how to reply to a message on Instagram

At this point, you can type your message and hit ‘Send.’

how to reply to messages on Instagram

Congratulations, you just mastered how to reply to a message on Instagram! It wasn’t so hard now, was it?!

Pro tip: if you have replied to the wrong message and would like to remove your message, you can simply delete your Instagram DM from both sides. Then, you can tap and hold the right message you want to reply to and write your answer.

FAQs on Instagram Reactions & Replies

In this article, we aimed to fully explain how to react on Instagram messages with emojis and how you can reply to a DM. But, there are still unanswered questions we need to address. Let’s get to them now, shall we?!

1- How Do You Like a Message on Instagram?

One of your frequently asked questions concerns how to like an Instagram DM. In fact, doing so is pretty straightforward and was possible even before the update.

To learn how to like a message on Instagram, you can take the following steps:

Open your Instagram application and log in.
Then, enter your DM inbox from the icon in the top right corner of your feed.
Now, choose a conversation and the message you want to like.
Finally, double tap on the message.

It’s as easy! But if you’re wondering how to like a message on Instagram with a different emoji than a heart, you can tap and hold the message. Then, choose any emoji you would rather use!

2- How to Laugh at a Message on Instagram?

With Instagram reactions, you can use any emoji. So, to learn how to laugh at an Instagram message, you should first know how to react. To do so, you can follow the steps below:

Tap and hold the message,
From the reactions that appear, choose the laughing emoji you want.

That’s it. Now you also know how to use the laugh-react on Instagram!

3- Why Can’t I React to Messages on Instagram?

Those who can’t use Instagram emojis as a reaction to a DM usually complain that there’s something wrong with Instagram or their phone. So, they keep asking ‘Why can’t I react to messages on Instagram on iPhone / Android?!’ But in fact, if you update your application, many of your problems will go away.

After updating the IG app and taking all the steps on how to react to Instagram DM, you should be fine!

4- How to Change Emoji Reactions in Instagram DMs?

To do an emoji edit on your Instagram reactions, you should follow the instruction below:

Tap and hold any Instagram message until the list of Instagram emojis appears.
Now, select the ‘+’ button then ‘Cuztomize’ to enter the customization mode.
Finally, you can personalize the reactions by selecting any emoji you like!

This way, not only do you know how to react to an Instagram message but also you know how to customize the emojis you use. It’s really convenient, right?!

5- Why Can’t I Reply to a Message on Instagram?!

Again, this option is available on Instagram messenger. So, you need to update your application first. So, get the latest version from the Google Play Store or App Store. Then, you can easily follow the mentioned steps to master how to reply to a message on Instagram!

Bottom Line on How to React & Reply to Messages on Instagram

Using emojis makes it easier to communicate with other people. They bring a new level of excitement to our online experience. Sometimes it’s either difficult or time-consuming to express how we feel with words.

But in such situations, using one or more emojis can help us accurately convey our feelings. Thanks to the update we discussed earlier, using emojis to react to messages on Instagram has become a lot easier.

We can create a custom emoji list and react to DMs with the emojis we like. Plus, Instagram now enables you to reply to messages. These new options allow us to enjoy our daily conversations on the platform more than ever.

So if you have updated your app and can access these features, why don’t you go ahead, and read this guide on how to reply to and react to a message on Instagram again?!

How to React to Instagram Messages With Emojis

As of late 2020, Instagram announced an update to DMs (direct messages).

The update introduced a Messenger experience on the app.

This includes colorful messages, replies, and emoji reactions.

Emoji reactions allow you to use different emojis to react to messages.

Instead of the normal heart emoji, you use smiley faces, symbols, animals, and more.

You can also use selfie stickers—boomerang, emojis, and selfies.

In addition, you can turn on vanish mode—messages will automatically disappear after they are seen.

In this guide, you’ll learn why are Instagram emoji reactions not working and how to react to Instagram messages with emojis on Android and iOS.

Why are Instagram emoji reactions not working?
How to react to Instagram messages with emojis

Why are Instagram emoji reactions not working?

Instagram emoji reactions are not working because you haven’t updated messaging yet.

If you haven’t updated messaging, you won’t be able to react with different emojis.

As of late 2020, Instagram introduced the messenger update.

The messenger update allows you to react to Instagram messages with different emojis.

If you’ve updated messaging, all you have to do is to tap and hold a message, tap on the “+” icon, and select the emoji that you want to react with.

How to react to Instagram messages with emojis

To react to Instagram messages with emojis, you need to update messaging.

After you’ve updated messaging, simply tap and hold the message, tap on the “+” icon, and select the emoji that you want to react with!

Instagram will not automatically update messaging for you.

To update messaging, navigate to your Instagram profile, tap on the menu icon, tap on “Settings”, and tap on “Update Messaging”.

By updating messaging, you’ll get 11 new messaging features including the ability to react to DMs with custom emojis.

Other features include the vanish mode, chat colors, replies, and more.

Here’s how to react to Instagram messages with emojis:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap on the menu icon

Firstly, you need to navigate to your Instagram profile.

To do so, tap on your profile picture on the bottom navigation bar.

Now, you need to open the menu.

To do so, tap on the menu icon on the top navigation bar.

2. Tap on “Settings”

After you’ve tapped on the menu icon, the menu will open.

The menu contains multiple options.

This includes “Settings”, “Archive”, “Your activity”, and more.

To update messaging, you need to go to your settings.

Hence, you need to tap on “Settings” to go to your settings.

3. Select “Update Messaging”

After you’ve tapped on “Settings”, you’ll land on the settings page.

The settings page contains multiple options.

This includes “Update Messaging”, “Follow and invite friends”, “Notifications”, and more.

You’ll only see the “Update Messaging” option if you haven’t updated messaging yet.

To react to Instagram messages with emojis on Android/iOS, you need to update messaging first.

To do so, tap on “Update Messaging”.

4. Tap on “Update”

After you’ve tapped on “Update Messaging”, you’ll land on the “There’s a New Way to Message on Instagram” page.

The page contains information on what the update is about.

The update contains features like changing your chat color, reacting with any emoji, swiping to reply to messages, and more.

You don’t need to have the Facebook Messenger app for this.

Tap on “Update” to update the messaging feature on Instagram.

5. Tap and hold the message, then tap on “+”

After you’ve updated the messaging feature on Instagram, you can now react to Instagram messages with emojis!

Firstly, navigate to the Instagram message that you want to react to.

Now, you need to tap and hold the message.

This will open a chat bubble containing 6 different emojis.

You can select one of the emojis to react to the message with it.

If you want to see the full list of emojis that you can react to the message with, tap on the “+” icon.

6. Select the emoji that you want to react with

After you’ve tapped on the “+” icon, you’ll see a list of emojis that you can react to the message with.

Under “Your reactions”, you can customize the default emojis by tapping on “Customize”.

Now, tap a reaction, then choose an emoji to replace it.

You can also tap on “Reset” to reset your customization.

If you don’t want to customize your reactions, simply search for the emoji that you want to react to the message with and select it.

For example, if you want to react with the smiling face with the halo emoji, simply tap on it.

7. You’ve successfully reacted with an emoji

After you’ve tapped on the emoji, it will be located under the person’s message.

You’ve successfully reacted to the Instagram message with an emoji!

You can also change your reaction at any time if you want to.

To do so, tap and hold the message, then select the emoji that you want to change your reaction to!

Conclusion

Keep in mind that reacting to Instagram messages/DMs with a different/custom emoji can only be done if you’ve updated messaging.

A lot of Instagram users are unable to react to Instagram messages with emojis because they haven’t updated messaging.

It’s an easy update to miss because Instagram does not notify or remind you of it.

In addition, messaging will not be updated even if you’ve updated the Instagram app.

This is because updating the Instagram app does not come with the feature.

Hence, you’ll need to do it manually via your Instagram settings.

How to put emoticons on Instagram from a computer or phone and where to find

Putting emoticons on Instagram is easier from the mobile version, but using the virtual keyboard is also possible from a computer. In addition to the standard yellow circles with a smile, there are many others: denoting animals, pointing signs, and so on.

Table of contents

The meaning of emoticons on Instagram
Where to find
- How to put in Stories
Emoticon codes
Why are they not displayed

Meaning of emoticons on Instagram

Emojii are used in the social network not only to indicate emotions, but also to decorate text, create titles for sections. A single character can replace an entire word, and most mobile keyboards support autocorrect. So, you can respond to the Story with an emoji if you put it in the " Comments " section.

Where else applicable:

titles of sections in the Actual. Instead of entering a name, users leave the corresponding emoticon; nine0008
in stickers. Large ones, which are published as a separate image;
in Direct and comments. Quick replies with Emojii;
in Stories. Choose a reaction to the temporary History;
in hashtags. Separate icons for which publications from the Feed are available in the search.

One interesting use is with tags. Searches with emojis can find different types of content.

Emojii are also added to the description of photos and to the text part of the description. Lists are made through the round icon, separating each paragraph. Using special and new emoticons add originality to the text and draw attention to important parts of the text. The Emojii catalog is constantly updated, but also depends on the operating system and its version, the installed keyboard. nine0003

It is more difficult to work in the computer version, first of all, they are displayed only on Mac OS and Windows 8/10. In the rest, squares will appear instead of emoticons, and you can put them only through the appropriate code. There are also special characters that appear on all operating systems.

Where to find

From the mobile version, you can send an emoticon on Instagram in the Stories section and using a special character available on the keyboard. Also, under new publications in the Feed, a line with quick replies appears, where the standard list of Emojii is indicated. nine0003

How to put a "yellow person" in the application on a smartphone:

Go to creating a publication - skip editing.
In the description, click on an empty field - on the keyboard, click on the bottom symbol with a man's face.
Select the required one from the list.
Publish.

The same is possible through the section: " About me ", where it is enough to open the section with Emojii on the mobile keyboard. The text description design function is also available through special text editors, for example - Space for Instagram . In addition to standard emoticons, an invisible character is available to the user - a space.

Emoticons on Instagram from a computer:

Access Instagram from a browser.
Go to " Edit Profile " or comments under the post.
Click on the input line - hold down the combination Alt + number from the symbolic keyboard.
Save the result.

The character keyboard is on the right side and may not be available on newer devices. Therefore, a virtual keyboard is available to the user, which is included in the Windows or Mac OS settings. nine0003

Another way is to copy emoticons from other social networks using the code. Each icon is an encrypted code, when copied, it appears as an Emojii.

Emoticon codes can be copied from the article below.

How to put in Stories

If the page owner marked: " Replies to Stories " in the settings, then a line with text input will appear under the entry. By clicking, standard emoticons will appear, which are designed specifically for Stories. nine0003

How to call the commenting menu:

Log in to Instagram.
Go to other people's Stories - click below.
The text entry menu and the standard emoticons will appear.
Select " Quick response " - press " Send ".

The second way to use Emojii in Stories is to add decoration. In addition to GIFs, regular emoticons are second on the list. Editing elements are available to the user: stretch, add or delete. nine0003

To add emoji as decoration:

Go to story creation.
Select a photo from the Gallery or take a photo.
Click: Stickers - choose from the proposed Emojii catalog.
Post an entry.

Among the Instagram stickers with actions, there is " Rate ". A scale appears on which a smiley with hearts is located. Viewers move the bar to the maximum if they want to rate a post as good. You cannot change emojis, but other editing elements from Giphy are available. nine0003

Moving emoticons for Stories are available in the section with the connected service:

Go to adding a sticker.
The input line " Find " will appear at the top.
Indicate any word in English, for example - Music.
Select from the catalog moving.

It is placed in the same way as standard emoji: by dragging, increasing or decreasing the size. There are different moving elements available in the Giphy service that you can add as your main post. nine0003

Emoticon codes

To put an emoticon in an empty heart video from a computer, the user must press the combination: Alt+3 . For a filled and empty man: Alt + 1 and +2 respectively.

Instagram emoji table:

&#_128522;	J
&#_10084;	<3
&#_128077;	:like:
&#_9728;	☀
&#_127881;	?
&#_128521;	😉
&#_128515;	😀

You can add a smiley by copying or entering the code. Usually, to add emoji through a computer to Instagram, just copy the image. When copying, the code that is needed to display the "yellow man" is automatically saved. nine0165 ☻

The button will only work if the user holds ALT on the keyboard and simultaneously presses a number.

You can find the complete catalog on our website with new emojis, code and regular updates. However, when using such design options, the user must ensure that the icons are displayed correctly on different types of devices.

For example, after adding one of the Emojii via a computer, you need to log in via your phone and see how the icon is displayed. nine0003

Do the same for the mobile version. Design elements can look like empty emojis that interfere with viewing and reading. In this case, the text will be displayed, and faces are available only from a smartphone.

Why are not displayed

Sometimes transparent emoticons appear if the system cannot recognize them. More often the problem appears on the computer version of Instagram, where emoji are not embedded like standard characters.

From mobile devices, the error appears in the following cases:

Instagram has not been updated. Go to the Play Market or App Store and update the application;
Android does not recognize characters from iOS. One of the common problems when creating a profile description;
The operating system version has not been updated.

If characters from someone else's profile are not displayed, they may have been written from an iOS device. The problem lies in the difference in the set of standard characters for both operating systems. nine0003

On a computer, the problem is solved by installing browser plug-ins or emulators of the Android mobile system - Bluesctacks.

It is easier to put emoticons on Instagram through a smartphone, using a keyboard or a standard set from a social network. If the mobile keyboard does not have an "Emojii" button, you should: look in the settings or use another one. For example, Yandex Keyboard or SwiftKey.

How to put emoticons on Instagram on Android and iOS

Emoticons are a well-known tool that helps make communication on the Internet more fun, more direct. Many of us cannot imagine using gadgets without cute faces, but not everyone knows how to add them to devices running on Android or iOS.

Most users of smartphones on iOS or Android regularly add emoticons to messages

Let's see how you can diversify text on Instagram using colorful images.

Contents

1 Emoticons on Instagram
2 Emoticons on iOS devices
3 Using emoticons on Android

Emoticons on Instagram

You can insert emoticons into any materials: in comments, texts and publications, photo captions. They will add expressiveness to the message and fill it with emotions.

Emoticons on iOS devices

By default, all gadgets running on this operating system, starting from version 3. 0, have a set of emoticons that are activated as follows:

Go to the device settings, select the Keyboard section;
Select the "International Keyboard" line, which will open the "New" window, where you can select emoji emoticons.

To start using emotion thumbnails, switch layouts as you type: scroll through the options to find a set of emoticons.

If the desired Emoji layout is not found in the settings, it can be set in two ways:

If your smartphone has been jailbroken, go to the Cydia application and type the word Emoji in the line. A list of applications that can be installed will appear;
Another way is to download apps from the Apple Store. Go to the store, enter emoji in the search bar. You will get a large list of emoji utilities. Focus on the rating and your taste when choosing.

It is worth noting that there are free and paid versions of applications, and the former can provide a fairly large selection of images and sometimes are no worse than paid options. nine0003

Please note that when you use emoticons to send messages even on Instagram on iPhone or iPad, in most cases Android users cannot see them. Therefore, if you own a device on a competing platform, you should also install a standard set of thumbnail images on it.

Using emoticons on Android

Unlike the developers of the iOS system, the creators of Android did not include a set of emoticons in the system keyboard. But this is not a problem, because on the Google Play Market you can find a lot of relevant applications - just enter Emoji in the search bar and select the ones that are the cutest for you. nine0003

Take a look at the rating and comments: the program may have a great set of "digital emotions", but it often has problems with its work.

In order for the installed application to work, you need to configure the input panel on Android in the following way:

Go to the device's system settings, open the "Language and input" section;
In the "Keyboard" and "Input methods" menu, activate the panel with smilies you have installed;
Note that you need to enable the Input Panel for each of the layout languages you use to print text.
Learn more