How to DM on Instagram
By Kushagra Kumar, founder of Shre. Updated 1 July 2026.
To DM on Instagram, tap the paper airplane icon in the top right of your feed, start a new chat, type your message, and tap Send.
Below we cover every way to do it, on the app and the web, plus sharing posts, replying to stories, and fixing DMs that will not send.
To DM on Instagram, tap the paper airplane or Messenger icon in the top right of your feed, tap the pencil or plus to start a new chat, search for a username, type your message, and tap Send.
Send your first direct message
Opening a new conversation is simple. From the home feed, look to the top right corner.
- Tap the paper airplane or Messenger icon in the top right
- Tap the pencil or plus icon to start a new message
- Search for the username you want to reach
- Type your message in the text box
- Tap Send
DM someone from their profile
You can also start a chat straight from a profile. Open the person's page and tap the Message button below their bio. This opens a direct conversation with them without searching your inbox. It is the fastest way to reach a specific account you are already viewing.
Share posts, Reels, and stories
DMs are great for sending content you find. Under any post or Reel, tap the paper airplane icon to share it directly to a friend. To reply to someone's story, open the story and type in the message box at the bottom. Your reply goes to their inbox as a private DM, not a public comment.
Manage message requests
If someone you do not follow messages you, it lands in Message Requests instead of your main inbox. Open your DM inbox and tap Requests to review them. You can accept, delete, or block. This keeps unknown senders separate so your main chats stay clean.
Fix a DM that will not send
If a message sticks on Failed to send or never leaves the chat, it is almost always one of these. Work through them in order.
- Check your connection. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, or toggle airplane mode off and on
- Force close Instagram and reopen it. A long-running session often stops syncing
- Update the app. Messaging bugs are usually fixed in the newest version
- Log out and back in to refresh your link to Instagram's servers
- Clear the app cache in your phone settings if the problem stays
- Check for an outage on a status site. If Instagram is down, you can only wait
Sending to someone who does not follow you? A message request can only contain text. You cannot send photos, videos, or voice notes until they accept it.
DM at scale with Shre
Sending one DM is easy. Replying to hundreds is not. If you run a page and people constantly ask the same questions, Shre can help. It is an Instagram AutoDM platform that sends a DM automatically when someone comments a keyword on your posts or Reels. Set up a comment to DM flow once and every commenter gets an instant, personal reply. See DM templates for message ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Can I DM someone who does not follow me?
Yes, but your message may land in their message requests folder rather than their main inbox. They choose whether to accept it.
How do I DM on Instagram from a laptop?
Go to instagram.com, log in, and click the messenger icon at the top. You can start and reply to DMs the same way as on the app.
Can I unsend a DM?
Yes. Press and hold your sent message and tap Unsend. It removes the message for both people, though the other person may have already seen it.
Why can't I message a certain account?
Some accounts limit who can message them, or they may have blocked you. Business restrictions and privacy settings can also prevent new message requests.
How do I know if someone read my Instagram DM?
Once the other person opens your message, a small Seen label appears under it. If they have read receipts turned off in a shared chat, you will not see that label.
Why does my DM say Failed to send?
A Failed to send error usually means a weak connection, an outdated app, or a temporary Instagram outage. Check your network, update the app, force close and reopen it, then try again.
Related
Source and reference: Instagram Platform, Meta for Developers. Shre sends messages through the official Instagram Graph API within Instagram's rules.