Sending a direct message to an Instagram user is a good way to send a private message to someone that no one else will be able to read. To send such a message, you can use the "Instagram Direct" option or you can view the profile of the person you want to send the message to and choose the corresponding option. It is now also possible to send a message to another Instagram user via a PC and the Instagram app for Windows. This article explains how to send a private message to another Instagram user.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using Instagram Direct on the Mobile App
Step 1. Launch the Instagram app
It features a pink, purple, and yellow icon depicting a stylized camera. It is located on the Home of the device or inside the "Applications" panel. If you are already logged in with your Instagram account, your main profile page will be displayed.
If you have not yet logged into Instagram, enter your username (or phone number or email address) and password for your account, then press the button Log in.
Step 2. Tap the icon of a stylized paper airplane
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. This way you will have access to the "Instagram Direct" functionality, which is nothing more than the instant messaging service of Instagram.
If your profile Home did not appear when you started the Instagram app, tap the icon depicting a small stylized house located in the lower left corner of the screen
Step 3. Tap the icon
It features a sheet of paper and a pencil. It is located in the upper right corner of the screen.
Alternatively, if you are in a conversation, directly tap the name of the person you are chatting with
Step 4. Select the person you want to send the message to
A small circular icon will appear with a check mark inside to the right of the name of the chosen contact. You can select the number of people you want according to your need.
Alternatively, you can perform a search by typing the username of the person in the search bar visible at the top of the screen
Step 5. Select the Chat option
It is located in the upper right corner of the screen. The form to send a message will be displayed.
Step 6. Tap the "Message" text field
This is the bar displayed at the bottom of the screen that shows "Message" in it.
Step 7. Type the message you want to send
The preview of your message will appear in the "Message" field.
If you want to send an image, tap the icon depicting a stylized photo, located to the left of the "Message" text field. At this point, select the photo you want to send
Step 8. Press the Submit button
It is located to the right of the text field where you have entered the message you want to send. The latter will be delivered directly to the selected person.
If you've chosen to send a photo, tap the arrow icon displayed at the bottom of the screen
Method 2 of 4: Using the Message Recipient Profile Page (Mobile Devices)
Step 1. Launch the Instagram app
It features a pink, purple, and yellow icon depicting a stylized camera. It is located on the Home of the device or inside the "Applications" panel. If you are already logged into your Instagram account, your main profile page will be displayed.
If you have not yet logged into Instagram, enter your username (or phone number or email address) and password for your account, then press the button Log in.
Step 2. Tap the magnifying glass icon
It is the second tab displayed at the bottom of the screen.
Alternatively, you can scroll through the list of posts displayed on the Home tab until you find one posted by the person you want to contact
Step 3. Tap the search bar
It is located at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Type the name of the person you want to contact
As you type, you will see a pop-up appear under the search bar listing the profiles that match the criteria entered.
Step 5. Select this person's name
You will be redirected to the profile page of the selected user.
Step 6. Choose the Message option
It is placed after the information of the selected user visible on their profile page.
Step 7. Tap the "Message" text field
This is the bar displayed at the bottom of the screen that shows "Message" in it.
Step 8. Type the message you want to send
The preview of your message will appear in the "Message" field.
If you want to send an image, tap the icon depicting a stylized photo located on the left of the "Message" text field. At this point, select the photo you want to send
Step 9. Press the Submit button
It is located to the right of the text field where you have entered the message you want to send. The latter will be delivered directly to the selected person.
If you've chosen to send a photo, tap the arrow icon displayed at the bottom of the screen
Method 3 of 4: Using Instagram Direct on the Instagram Web Application
Step 1. Visit the web page https://www.instagram.com/ using the browser of your choice
You can use any browser available for Windows or Mac. The Instagram app accessible from the web allows you to use the social network platform directly from your PC or Mac.
Alternatively, you can download the Instagram app for Windows from the Microsoft Store
Step 2. If necessary, log in with your Instagram account
If you have not yet logged in to Instagram, enter the username (or phone number or email address) and password of your account and click on the button Log in. If you want, you can log in using your Facebook account. If Instagram is able to detect your profile, click on the option Continue as [username].
If you have enabled two-factor authentication, you will also need to enter the 6-digit PIN code that you received via SMS or email. Enter it in the text field that appeared on the screen to complete the login
Step 3. Click on the icon depicting a stylized paper airplane
It's located at the top right of the page, to the left of a number of other icons.
Step 4. Click the Send a Message button
It is blue in color and located in the center of the right panel of the page. The "New Message" form will appear in the center of the window.
Alternatively, you can click on one of the conversations listed in the left panel of the page
Step 5. Type the name of the recipient of the message into the "To:
. A list of all contacts that match the text entered so far will be displayed.
Step 6. Click on the name of the person you want to contact
This will automatically add it to the "To:" field located at the top of the "New Message" window.
You can add other recipients to the message, inserting them after the name of the last contact displayed in the "To:" field and clicking on the corresponding username when it appears on the screen
Step 7. Click the Next button
It is located in the upper right corner of the "New Message" window. This will bring up a new chat window.
Step 8. Click on the "Message" text field
It is the long bar in which there is the word "Message" and is located at the bottom of the chat window.
Alternatively, you can send an image by clicking on the icon depicting a stylized photo located on the right of the "Message" text field. At this point, select the photo you want to send by clicking on the corresponding icon, then click on the button You open to attach it to the message.
Step 9. Type the message you want to send
Inside the "Message" field, located at the bottom of the chat window, the preview of your message will appear.
Step 10. Click the Submit button
It is located on the right of the chat window. The message you composed will be sent.
Method 4 of 4: Use the Message Recipient Profile Page from the Instagram Web Application
Step 1. Visit the web page https://www.instagram.com/ using the browser of your choice
You can use any browser available for Windows or Mac. The Instagram app accessible from the web allows you to use the social network platform directly from your PC or Mac.
Alternatively, you can download the Instagram app for Windows from the Microsoft Store
Step 2. If necessary, log in with your Instagram account
If you haven't logged in to Instagram yet, enter your username (or phone number or email address) and password for your account, then click the button Log in. If you want, you can log in using your Facebook account. If Instagram is able to detect your profile, click on the option Continue as [username].
If you have enabled two-factor authentication, you will also need to enter the 6-digit PIN code that you received via SMS or email. Enter it in the text field that appeared on the screen to complete the login
Step 3. Click on the search bar located at the top of the Instagram app
This way, you will be able to search using the name of the recipient of your message.
Alternatively, you can scroll through the list of posts displayed on the Home tab until you find one posted by the person you want to contact
Step 4. Type the name of the person you want to contact
A list of all contacts that match the entered text will be displayed.
Step 5. Click on the name of the person you want to send the message to
You will be redirected to the page relating to his Instagram profile.
Step 6. Click the Message button
It is located at the top of the profile page of the selected person, next to the corresponding username. A new chat window will appear.
Step 7. Click on the "Message" text field
It is the long bar in which there is the word "Message" and is located at the bottom of the chat window.
Alternatively, you can send an image by clicking on the icon depicting a stylized photo located on the right of the "Message" text field. At this point, select the photo you want to send by clicking on the corresponding icon, then click on the button You open to attach it to the message.
Step 8. Type the message you want to send
Inside the "Message" field, located at the bottom of the chat window, the preview of your message will appear.
Step 9. Click the Submit button
It is located on the right of the chat window. The message you composed will be sent.
