Instagramdirect messages long ago fell behind powerhouse Meta products likeFacebook Messengerin terms of features and functionality. However, it seems that might be changing a little bit. In March 2024, Meta dropped a decent chunk of new features for Instagram DMs, which could help shore it up when compared to Meta’s other messaging platforms. The update rolled out on Android and iOS already. So, once you get the update, you’ll be good to go.
The new features seem basic by 2024 standards, but they help modernize Instagram’s DMs. They include the ability to edit messages, pin conversations to the top of the DM list, favorite stickers, and turn off read receipts. That last one is great for privacy, but you may get accused to ghosting a little more often. Here’s how each of those new features works.
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1Edit Instagram DMs up to 15 mins after
Previously, you could only delete messages
This one is very easy and useful. Previously, you’d have to delete your message and resend it if you had a typo or if something went wrong. Now, you can edit the DM and save yourself the trouble. There is one rule, though. You can only edit an Instagram DM up to 15 minutes after it is posted. After that, whatever is there becomes permanent. Here’s how to do it.
The 15-minute edit time brings Instagram DMs on par with Facebook Messenger, which has the same rule and, for the most part, the same process. If you’ve edited messages on Facebook Messenger, it’s essentially the same on Instagram now.
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2Pin up to three chats in Instagram
Keep some conversations up top, so they don’t get buried by new DMs
Meta also gave users the ability to pin DMs, so they remain at the top of the list instead of being filtered down as new DMs come in. This is a great way to keep your important conversations at the top. Instagram allows you to pin three group chats or one-on-one conversations in total. Choose wisely. This is another simple feature, and here’s how it works.
We do wish that Instagram allowed for more than three pins. It can feel restrictive, especially if you have a lot of friends you like to talk to on the platform. However, folks who get tons of DMs will appreciate being able to keep their most important conversations above the rabble.
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Once in testing; now official
This feature has been in testing since late last year and has now officially rolled out. For those who don’t know, read receipts are the little “sent” and “seen” messages at the bottom of your messages that let you know if the recipient has read your message. Some folks may want to disable this for privacy reasons and now Instagram lets you do that.
4Favorite Instagram stickers for later use
Add them to a favorites section
The last feature that Instagram added in its big update was the ability to favorite stickers for later use. Once you have at least one saved, you’ll see a new favorites section in your sticker selector when you go to select one. While not as functionally useful as the above things, it’s a nice way to keep some stickers close in case you want to liven things up a bit.
Favoriting and unfavoriting a sticker
It’s a fairly simple process overall. Instagram doesn’t say how many stickers you can save, so we’re currently unsure of the upper limit here.
Finding and selecting your favorite stickers
Once you’ve added at least one favorite, here’s how to find the list so you may actually use them.
The favorites system for stickers looks a bit rudimentary, but we imagine that Instagram and Meta will add more to this part of the app later on to make it more enjoyable for people.
Q: Can you reply to Instagram DMs with stickers, GIFs, photos, and more?
Yes. In addition to the above items, Meta added a few other goodies to the Instagram DM experience. The first is improved replies, which let you use stickers, GIFs, videos, photos, and voice messages when replying to a DM. This brings Instagram up to parity with Facebook Messenger. To do it, follow these simple instructions.
Q: Does Instagram have chat themes like Messenger offers?
Yes. Meta has themes to the lineup for Instagram DMs, giving users more ways to add a splash of color to the proceedings. Here’s how to use themes in Instagram DMs.
