The basic steps to open and read a message

To read a message on Instagram, open the app and tap the message icon in the top right corner — it looks like a speech bubble or paper airplane depending on your phone type. This takes you to your inbox, which shows all your conversations listed by most recent. Tap any conversation to open it and see the full message thread.

Once you open a conversation, you can see all messages from that person or group, with the newest messages at the bottom. Scroll up to see older messages in that conversation. If someone has sent you a message you haven't opened yet, their name will appear in bold in your inbox list.

Key Takeaways

  • The message icon in the top right corner of your Instagram home screen opens your inbox and shows all your conversations.
  • Unread messages appear in bold in your inbox list, and you can tap any conversation to see the full message thread.
  • You can reply to a message by tapping the text box at the bottom of the conversation and typing your response.
  • Instagram shows you when someone has read your message — a small "Seen" label appears below your message once they open it.
  • You can delete messages, mute notifications from a conversation, or report a message if it contains spam or abuse.

Replying to a message

To respond to a message, tap the text box at the bottom of the conversation that says "Message..." and type your reply. You can send text, emoji, photos, or videos. Once you tap send, the message goes to the other person's inbox when ready.

If you want to reply to a specific message in a longer conversation, press and hold that message until a menu appears. Select "Reply" to quote that message — your response will show which message you're answering. This is helpful in group conversations where multiple people are talking at once.

Understanding read receipts and message status

Instagram shows you whether someone has read your message. Below each message you send, you'll see either a small profile picture (meaning they've read it) or no indicator yet (meaning they haven't opened the conversation). The word "Seen" may also appear, depending on your app version.

You can turn off read receipts if you don't want others to know when you've read their messages. Go to Settings, tap Apps and Websites, then Messaging, and toggle off "Read Receipts." This hides your read status from everyone, though Instagram will still show you when others have read your messages.

Managing conversations you want to keep private

If you want to hide a conversation without deleting it, swipe left on the conversation (iPhone) or press and hold it (Android), then select "Mute." A muted conversation stays in your inbox but won't send you notifications when new messages arrive. You can unmute it the same way.

To delete a conversation entirely, use the same swipe or press-and-hold action and select "Delete." This removes the entire message thread from your inbox. The other person still has their copy of the conversation — deleting it only removes it from your side.

What to do if you can't see a message

If someone says they sent you a message but you don't see it, check your message requests. Instagram separates messages from people you follow from messages from strangers. Tap the inbox icon, then look for a "Requests" tab or section. Messages from accounts you don't follow often land there instead of your main inbox.

If you still can't find a message, the person may have deleted it. Messages can be unsent by the sender up to a few minutes after they're sent — when this happens, you'll see "This message was unsent" instead of the original text. You can also check if you've blocked the person or if they've blocked you, which would prevent messages from coming through.

Handling spam, scams, and unwanted messages

If you receive a message from someone you don't know that looks suspicious — asking for money, passwords, or personal information — do not respond. Press and hold the message and select "Report." Instagram will review it and may take action against the account.

You can also block someone entirely. Open their message, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Block." This prevents them from messaging you, seeing your profile, or finding your posts. If you change your mind later, you can unblock them the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unsend a message after I've sent it?

Yes. Press and hold your message, then tap "Unsend." The message disappears from both your inbox and the other person's inbox, and they'll see "This message was unsent" instead. You can only unsend messages within a few minutes of sending them — after that, the option disappears.

What's the difference between my inbox and message requests?

Your main inbox shows messages from people you follow or have messaged before. Message requests are messages from accounts you don't follow — Instagram separates them so strangers can't flood your main inbox. You can read requests without responding, and you can move a request to your main inbox if you want to continue the conversation.

Will someone know if I screenshot their message?

Instagram used to notify people when you took a screenshot of a disappearing photo or video message. That feature no longer works — you can screenshot any message without the sender being notified. However, taking screenshots of someone's private messages and sharing them elsewhere may violate their privacy.

Can I search for an old message?

Yes. Open the conversation where the message is, then swipe down from the top of the message thread. A search box appears where you can type keywords to find specific messages in that conversation. You cannot search across all your conversations at once — you have to search within each one separately.

What happens if I delete Instagram and reinstall it?

Your messages stay on Instagram's servers, so when you log back in, all your conversations and message history will be there. Deleting the app doesn't delete your messages. Only manually deleting a conversation removes it from your account.