How to check DMs in Instagram
By Kushagra Kumar, founder of Shre. Updated 1 July 2026.
Checking your DMs on Instagram takes a couple of taps, but message requests and filters mean some messages hide where you might not look.
This guide shows where to find every message on both mobile and desktop.
To check DMs in Instagram, tap the paper airplane or Messenger icon in the top right of your feed. This opens your inbox. Tap Requests at the top to see messages from people you do not follow.
Check DMs on mobile
Your inbox is one tap from the home feed.
- Open Instagram to your home feed
- Tap the paper airplane or Messenger icon in the top right
- Your conversations appear, newest activity first
- Tap any chat to read and reply
Unread chats are marked, usually with a dot or bold text, so you can spot new messages quickly.
Find your message requests
Messages from people you do not follow do not land in your main inbox. They wait in Requests. In your DM inbox, look for Requests near the top and tap it. Here you can accept, delete, or block each sender. Many people miss real messages simply because they never check this folder, so make it a habit.
Check DMs on desktop
You can also read DMs on a computer. Go to instagram.com, log in, and click the messenger icon at the top of the page. Your conversations open in a full screen view, which many people find easier for typing longer replies. Message requests are available here too.
Manage unread and hidden messages
To stay on top of your inbox, you can mark chats as unread to remind yourself to reply, and you can flag or star important ones depending on your app version. Reviewing both your main inbox and your requests folder regularly ensures nothing important slips through unnoticed.
When your inbox gets busy
If your DMs fill up faster than you can read them, automation keeps up. Shre is an Instagram AutoDM platform that sends a DM automatically when someone comments a keyword on your posts or Reels, so common questions get answered instantly without you checking constantly. It runs on Instagram's official Graph API. Explore DM automation to see how.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my Instagram message requests?
Open your DM inbox by tapping the messenger icon, then tap Requests near the top. Messages from people you do not follow are held there until you accept them.
Can I check Instagram DMs on a computer?
Yes. Go to instagram.com, log in, and click the messenger icon at the top. You can read and send DMs the same way as on the app.
Why don't I see a message someone says they sent?
It may be sitting in your message requests folder, or the sender may be restricted or blocked. Check Requests first if a message is missing from your main inbox.
How do I mark a DM as unread?
Press and hold or swipe on the conversation in your inbox, depending on your app version, and choose the mark as unread option to remind yourself to reply.
Related
Source and reference: Instagram Platform, Meta for Developers. Shre sends messages through the official Instagram Graph API within Instagram's rules.