How to check messages on Instagram

With 3 billion active monthly users, Instagram makes it easy to connect with friends, family, and customers. The platform allows you to post updates to your followers and connect with them directly using Instagram’s messaging system. If you want to share a relatable post, strike up a conversation, or respond to customer questions, Instagram direct messages are a great way to foster relationships with your target audience.

So how do you check your Instagram direct messages? It’s simple, especially if you’re an experienced social media user. Still, if you’re unaware of Instagram’s default settings, you may be overlooking messages from users you don’t follow (and losing out on important connection opportunities as a result).

Whether you’re a casual user hoping to connect with friends or a small-business owner looking to grow a loyal following and connect with potential customers, it’s essential that you know how to check messages on Instagram. In this guide, you’ll learn how to access your Instagram direct messages, where you can find message requests on Instagram, and how AI-powered tools like Jotform’s Instagram Agent can take your message management to the next level.

How to check messages on Instagram

Checking messages on Instagram involves a few easy steps, but exact instructions will depend on the kind of messages you’re trying to access and your preferred method. Are you a casual, on-the-go, strictly mobile user? Or do you prefer managing your social media during business hours from the comfort of your desktop? Whatever your preference, you can access your Instagram direct messages from both the mobile app and your desktop.

The next question to ask yourself is whether you’re looking to read and respond to regular messages from accounts you follow or hidden message requests (which are housed in a separate inbox). Instagram automatically filters out messages from users you don’t follow into a hidden “requests” folder, which takes a little more effort to access. 

Here’s how to check messages on Instagram for every method:

1. On the Instagram mobile app

Whether you’re checking Instagram messages on iOS or Android, on your smartphone or Instagram’s newly released dedicated iPad app, navigating to your Instagram direct messages menu on mobile is simple.

1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile device.
2. Your home screen should open automatically when you launch the app. If it doesn’t, navigate to it.
3. Locate the Messenger icon at the top right corner of your home screen. This should look the same as the Facebook Messenger app icon.
4. Tap on the Messenger icon to open your messages inbox.

Once you’ve opened your inbox, you can perform these tasks:

• Open unread messages
• Respond to questions or requests
• Share a note
• Search for specific messages
• Chat with Meta AI
• Compose new messages
• Send a picture message
• Share your location on the new Map feature

You can also easily access your Instagram direct messages in the mobile app by swiping left on your home screen, which will allow you to automatically navigate to your messages inbox for instant access. Just make sure you aren’t swiping on a carousel post or on the scrolling Instagram Stories bar.

2. On a computer using the Instagram desktop website

If a desktop experience is more your speed, Instagram is also easily accessible from your browser. Using the desktop version gives you a larger screen, a more powerful keyboard, and access to social media automation tools, which can help streamline the experience if you’re managing a business’s social media presence.

Here’s how to read Instagram messages on a PC:

1. Go to Instagram.com in your preferred browser.
2. Log in to your Instagram account.
3. Click the Messages tab on the left side of your screen.
4. Once your inbox opens, your messages list will appear on the left side of the screen; your active chat will appear on the right.

Using your desktop to access your Instagram direct messages allows you to actively monitor and respond to inquiries while keeping multiple tabs or windows open. Have answers to customer questions, order information, analytics, and other social media content marketing tools at the ready for seamless social media management.

3. Finding your hidden message requests

Hidden message requests are automatically filtered based on preset conditions to help protect users from potential spam, abuse, scams, or other harmful messages. The downside, though, is that if you don’t check these hidden message requests regularly, you could miss out on valuable opportunities and connections.

As long as you’re aware of the feature, however, and check message requests regularly, this function can help you keep your inbox under control by setting aside some of the notifications you receive until you have time to review them. The filter settings for this functionality are predetermined by Instagram, but you can adjust your settings (or even disable the function entirely).

Ready to review your hidden message requests? Here’s how:

1. In your Instagram direct message inbox, tap or click on the Requests tab. On your mobile device, this will be on the right of your screen. On the desktop version, it will be in the top menu of your messages list on the left.
2. Read and review your message requests.
3. To approve a message request, click Accept and respond to the message. Otherwise, you can Delete a request or even Block a user from sending you future requests. (Note: Users will not know whether you’ve read their message request unless you accept the request.)

Learning how to check messages on Instagram is easy. But what if you want to do more than just the fundamentals? What if you’re looking to elevate the way you approach Instagram messages altogether? If you want to maximize Instagram’s capabilities, you can always bring in some outside help.

Master your inbox with Jotform’s Instagram Agent

As your following, brand, and business grow, your Instagram account is likely to receive an influx of messages. Providing the instantaneous responses your customers likely expect, from frequently asked questions about store hours to sales events and opportunities, can drain your employees’ time and isn’t sustainable. The key is to switch from a reactive approach to a proactive one.

That’s where Jotform’s Instagram Agent comes in. This automated assistant transforms Instagram direct message management from a repetitive task into a streamlined social media relationship driver. With this AI agent, you can perform advanced message functions such as

• Automated replies: Rather than constantly answering frequently asked questions, your agent can automatically pull basic information directly from your internal knowledge base and provide an instant response.
• 24-7 availability: Because the Instagram Agent is always active, your customers can get the answers they need as soon as they reach out, turning your Instagram inbox into a continuous lead-generation solution.
• Centralized analytics: Gone are the days of switching from one page to another to get a full view of your Instagram analytics. Jotform provides a unified Conversations Inbox that displays messages, comments, likes, and more, all in one place.
• On-brand responses: The Instagram Agent isn’t a basic chatbot that spits out canned responses. This AI helper learns from your knowledge base, past conversations, and brand guidelines to provide instant messages that align with your brand voice, are context-aware, and offer humanlike interactions.

Take the next step in your social media management journey and elevate your strategy with Jotform’s Instagram Agent, which can build your following while nurturing your existing connections.