7 Instagram Direct Messaging (DM) Tips and Tricks

ByJim Miller

Instagram's DMs have always been a convenient way for users to connect with friends and family. But with the recent update, they have become even more functional and exciting. In this article, we will explore some of the best and newest tips and tricks for using Instagram DMs. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned Instagram user, these tips will help you make the most out of your DM experience.

Lo-Fi Chat Theme

Are you a fan of the Lo-Fi aesthetic? Instagram now has a chat theme that allows you to keep your conversations in a Lo-Fi style. To apply this theme to your chat:

  1. Open the Instagram app and tap on the messenger icon to access your DMs.
  2. Select a DM to open the chat and tap on the “i” button in the top right corner.
  3. Under Chat settings, tap on Theme and choose Lo-Fi from the list of available chat themes.
  4. Tap the back button to return to the chat, and you'll see that the Lo-Fi theme has been applied successfully.

Remember that themes work on a DM level, so you'll need to set them for each chat window.

Send Silent Messages

Have you ever wanted to send a message without disturbing the recipient? Instagram now allows you to send silent messages. Here's how:

  1. Open a personal or group chat on Instagram.
  2. Add “@silent” before your message and tap send.
  3. The recipient will only see the message when they open the Instagram app, but they won't be notified until then.

This feature is perfect for late-night messages or when you don't want to interrupt someone's day.

Polls in Group Chats

Collecting feedback from your friends in a group chat has never been easier. Instagram now lets you create polls within group chats. Here's how:

  1. Open a group chat in your Instagram DMs.
  2. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom right corner and select the sticker icon.
  3. Choose “POLL” and fill in the details like the question and multiple-choice options.
  4. Tap “Create Poll” to make it live.
  5. The poll will appear in the group chat, and everyone can cast their votes.

This feature is great for making group decisions, like where to go next weekend or what movie to watch.

Selfie Stickers

Expressing yourself in DMs just got more fun and personal with Selfie Stickers. Here's how to use them:

  1. Open a chat in your Instagram DMs and tap on the sticker icon in the bottom right corner.
  2. Select “SELFIE” from the options.
  3. Choose the type of emoji that best expresses your emotion and tap the boomerang button to capture a small looped video.
  4. If you like the video, tap send to share it in the chat.

Selfie Stickers allow you to add a personal touch to your conversations and make them more engaging.

Messaging with Effects

Do you want to add some flair to your messages? Instagram now lets you send messages with effects. Here's how:

  1. Open a chat in your Instagram DMs and type your message.
  2. Select the magnifying glass icon on the left side of the text field.
  3. Choose from the four available effects and tap the one you want to use.
  4. Your message will be sent with the desired effect, and it will animate itself in the chat.

This feature adds a playful and interactive element to your conversations.

Avatar Stickers

Following the success of Facebook avatar stickers, Instagram now allows you to send Avatar Stickers in DMs. Here's how to use them:

  1. Open a chat with the person you want to send Avatar Stickers to.
  2. Tap the sticker icon in the bottom right corner and select “AVATAR.”
  3. Set up your Avatar by following the on-screen instructions.
  4. Once your Avatar is set up, choose one from the list and send it in the chat.

Avatar Stickers add a personalized touch to your conversations and let you express yourself in a unique way.

Play, Pause, and Replay

If you share a song's link from Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music in Instagram DMs, it will no longer appear as a simple link. Instead, it will show an album art with a play and pause button. This allows the recipient to preview the song without opening the music streaming app.

These are some of the best Instagram DM tips and tricks that will enhance your messaging experience. Whether you want to customize your chat theme, send silent messages, create polls, use selfie stickers, add effects to your messages, send Avatar Stickers, or share music previews, Instagram DMs have got you covered. You can now also use Facebook Messenger app as your Instagram message app!

Remember to update your Instagram app to access these features if you don't already have them. So go ahead and start exploring all the exciting possibilities that Instagram DMs have to offer!