How to Direct Message on Instagram

Sending a direct message to an Instagram user is a good way to send them a private message that nobody else can see. You can use either Instagram Direct or your recipient's profile options to send a direct message. Now you can direct message another Instagram user on a Windows PC using the Instagram app for Windows. This wikiHow teaches you how to send a message directly to another Instagram user.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Using Instagram Direct on Using the Mobile App

1. Open the Instagram app. Instagram has a pink, purple, and yellow icon with a camera. Tap the icon on your home screen or apps menu to open Instagram. If you're already logged into Instagram, doing so will open your Instagram Home page.
   
   • If you aren't logged into Instagram, type in your username (or phone number, or email) and password and tap Login.
2. Tap the paper plane icon. It's in the top-right corner of your screen. Doing so will open Instagram Direct, which is Instagram's messaging service.
   
   • If you aren't on the Home page, tap the house-shaped icon in the bottom left corner of the screen first.
3. Tap . It's the icon that resembles a pencil and paper. It's in the upper-right corner of the Direct screen.
   
   • Alternatively, if you have a conversation going, you can tap the recipient's name on the Direct page, instead.
4. Tap a person whom you wish to message. This adds a checkmark in the circle to the right of the contact's name. You can tap as many people as you like.
   
   • You can also type in a username in the search bar at the top of the screen.
5. Tap . It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. This opens a Direct message window.
   
6. Tap the Message field. It's the long bar at the bottom of the screen that says "Message".
   
7. Type in a message you want to send. You can preview the message in the Message bar.
   
   • If you want to send a photo instead, you can tap the icon that resembles a photo to the left of the text field. Then tap a photo to select it.
8. Tap . It's to the right of the message field. Doing so will send your message directly to your recipient.
   
   • If you're sending a picture, tap the arrow at the bottom of the screen.

[Edit]Using Your Recipient's User Profile on Smartphones and Tablets

1. Open the Instagram app. Instagram has a pink, purple, and yellow icon with a camera. Tap the icon on your home screen or apps menu to open Instagram. . If you're already logged into Instagram, doing so will open your Instagram Home page.
   
   • If you aren't logged into Instagram, type in your username (or phone number, or email) and password and tap Login.
2. Tap the magnifying glass icon . It's the second tab at the bottom of the screen.
   
   • You can also just scroll through the Home tab until you find a post from the person.
3. Tap the search bar. It's at the top of the screen.
   
4. Type in a person's name. As you type, you should see suggestions pop up under the search bar.
   
5. Tap a person's name. Doing so will take you to their profile.
   
6. Tap . It's below the user's information on their profile page.
   
7. Tap the "Message" field. It's the long field at the bottom of the screen that says "Message". It's at the bottom of the screen.
   
8. Type in a message. You can preview the message in the message field.
   
   • Alternatively, if you want to send a photo instead, you can tap the icon that resembles a photo to the left of the text field. Then tap a photo to select it.
9. Tap . This is to the right of your message field. Doing so will send your message to your selected recipient.
   
   • If you're sending a picture, tap the arrow at the bottom of the screen.

[Edit]Using Direct in the Instagram Web Application

1. Go to https://www.instagram.com/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on PC or Mac. The web version of Instagram allows you to access Instagram from a PC or Mac computer.
   
   • Alternatively, you can download the Instagram Windows app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Log in to Instagram (if needed). If you are not logged in automatically, enter your Instagram username (or phone number, or email) and password and click Log In. You can also log in with your Facebook account. If Instagram detects your account, click Continue as [username].
   
   • If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you'll also need to check your text messages or email and find the 6 digit authentication code. Enter the code into your web browser and log in.
3. Click the paper airplane icon. It's at the top of the Instagram app on the right side to the left of the other icons.
   
4. Click . It's the blue button in the center of the panel to the right. Clicking this opens a "New Message" window in the center of the app.
   
   • Alternatively, you can click an ongoing chat in the panel to the left.
5. Type a recipient's name next to "To:". Doing so will display a list of contacts name that match your search parameter.
   
6. Click a recipient's name. Doing so will add them to the "To:" field at the top of the "New Message" window.
   
   • You can add more recipients by typing an additional recipient's name below the last one and then clicking their username.
7. Click . It's in the upper-right corner of the "New Message" window. Doing so will open a new chat dialogue window.
   
8. Click the "Message" field. It's the long bar that says "Message" at the bottom of the chat dialogue.
   
   • Alternatively, you can send a photo by clicking the icon that resembles a photo to the right of the Message field. Then browse to and click a photo to select it. Then click Open.
9. Type the message you want to send. You can preview your message in the message field at the bottom of the Chat dialogue.
   
10. Click . It's to the right of the Chat dialogue. This sends your message.
    

[Edit]Using Your Recipient's Profile Using the Web Application

1. Go to https://www.instagram.com/ in a web browser. You can use any web browser on PC or Mac. The web version of Instagram allows you to access Instagram from a PC or Mac computer.
   
   • Alternatively, you can download the Instagram Windows app from the Microsoft Store.
2. Log in to Instagram (if needed). If you are not logged in automatically, enter your Instagram username (or phone number, or email) and password and click Log In. You can also log in with your Facebook account. If Instagram detects your account, click Continue as [username].
   
   • If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you'll also need to check your text messages or email and find the 6 digit authentication code. Enter the code into your web browser and log in.
3. Click the search bar. It's at the top-center of the Instagram app. This allows you to search for a recipient.
   
   • Alternatively, you can scroll through your Home feed until you find a post from the recipient you want to message.
4. Type the name of a recipient. This displays a list of users that match your search parameters.
   
5. Click your recipient's username. This displays their profile page.
   
6. Click . It's at the top of your recipient's profile page next to their username. This opens a new chat dialogue.
   
7. Click the "Message" field. It's the long bar that says "Message" at the bottom of the chat dialogue.
   
   • Alternatively, you can send a photo by clicking the icon that resembles a photo to the right of the Message field. Then browse to and click a photo to select it. Then click Open.
8. Type the message you want to send. You can preview your message in the message field at the bottom of the Chat dialogue.
   
9. Click . It's to the right of the Chat dialogue. This sends your message.
   

[Edit]Tips

• If you receive a message from someone you don't follow, it won't appear directly in your inbox; instead, you'll see it in your "Message Requests" section of the inbox.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Comment and Delete Comments on Instagram Photos
• Post a Message on Instagram
• Turn Notifications On or Off in Instagram

10 Second Summary

1. Open Instagram.
2. Tap the Instagram Direct or the Home icon.
3. Tap Pencil and Paper icon.
4. Select a recipient.
5. Tap the "Message" field.
6. Type your message.
7. Tap Send.

[Edit]Quick Summary