Anyone with a reddit account can send a private message to another user, even if it may only contain text. Users using mobile devices must use some precautions, as the mobile version of the reddit website is not complete and the applications dedicated to the site change frequently.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: On the Mobile Website
Step 1. Visit the compact site (recommended)
There are two versions of the reddit mobile site: reddit.com/.compact and m.reddit.com. You can reply to messages from both pages, but to compose a new one you need to use the compact version.
Step 2. Open the Inbox folder
On the compact site, click on the envelope at the top right. On the traditional mobile site, tap the "hamburger" menu icon at the top right (the one with the three horizontal lines). In the drop-down menu that appears, select the inbox folder, the one with the envelope icon.
Step 3. Reply to a message
Select the "messages" tab to read the communications that other users have sent you. To answer, follow these instructions:
- Compact site: tap the gear icon to the right of the message, then tap "reply". Type your message and press "send".
- Normal site: Tap the blue "reply" icon below a message. Type what you want to write in the text field, then press "send".
Step 4. Write a new message
Tap the "send a private message" button at the top of the inbox page. Fill in all fields of the form, including the captcha "are you a human?", Then press "submit".
Method 2 of 3: On the Desktop Website
Step 1. Check your inbox
Go to reddit.com and log into your account. Click the envelope symbol next to your username in the upper right corner of the screen.
Alternatively, go directly to reddit.com/message/inbox after logging in
Step 2. Send a message
Once your inbox is open, the tabs at the top of the screen will change. Click the "send a private message" tab to open the compose page. Fill in the "to", "subject" and "message" fields, then press "send".
You can also go directly to reddit.com/message/compose
Step 3. Reply to messages
Once a conversation has started, there is no need to fill out the form again. Just go to your inbox (the envelope icon) to view the messages you have received. Click the gray "reply" button under a communication to write your reply.
Step 4. Find the submit link on a user's page
At reddit, you have the option to click on any user's name (usually you'll find them under a post or comment). On the page that opens, look for the small "send private message" button in the upper right corner, under the karma score.
Method 3 of 3: On the Reddit App
Step 1. Look for the envelope icon at the top right
The official reddit app is still in development and receives regular updates, while many other users still make use of the various unofficial apps. On some versions of the Android apps, you can open the page in received messages by tapping the envelope icon at the top right.
Step 2. Scroll to open the navigation menu
If you don't see any envelope icons on your Android app, swipe left to open the menu. Select the button you are looking for from all those available.
Step 3. Press the Inbox tab at the bottom of the iOS app
In the official reddit app for iOS, the icon you are looking for is located at the bottom of the screen.
Step 4. Send a message through a user's page
Instead of opening your inbox, you can send a message using another person's username. The layout of each app is different, but these are the steps generally required:
- Select the username written in small print just below or above a post. If you don't see it, first press the "…" button, which opens a menu.
- Press the envelope icon or the "send a message" button.
- Write the message and press "send" to send the message to the user you have selected.
Advice
- Reddit doesn't allow you to add attachments to private messages. You can upload the images to another site (like Imgur) and include a link in the text.
- To send a message to all moderators on a subreddit, type / r / followed by the name of the subreddit in the "To" field on the compose message page.
