Bringing Friends Closer with Instagram DMs

Sometimes, it’s the little moments that make friendships stronger, and Instagram DMs are the perfect way to make that happen. When you find something funny or interesting, you get the urge to talk about it with friends and invite them into the conversation.

Read on for some fun Instagram DM features you can use to make friends smile by expressing yourself in your own unique way.

Connect over shared vibes

Whether it’s a hilarious meme, a random video, or just a moment from your day, sharing or resharing something you see directly or in a group chat can be the start to an inside joke. These little exchanges not only deepens your connection but it’s a nice reminder that you’re never too far from your friends.

Express yourself with stickers

Stickers can come in handy when you want to spark a reaction or share an inside joke. Make something new and different with our AI stickers to level up the fun for any conversation. Or, make something totally unique for you and your friends by turning your own photos and videos into custom, personalized stickers with Cutouts.

Pro tip: Keep your favorite stickers easily accessible by pressing and holding on the sticker, then selecting “Favorite” at the bottom of your screen to add it to the top of your sticker tray.

Send photos or videos that can only be viewed once

Not every photo or video is meant to stick around. Maybe you’re planning a surprise for your friends and don’t want anyone else to see, or perhaps you’re sharing a casual snap of your outfit. Tap on “View once” and watch your photos and videos disappear after they’ve opened it. But while the image might be gone, the conversation has just started.

Pro tip: Use filters, add text/drawings/stickers on videos or images to add a personal touch to a photo.

Set a theme to match your mood

Your vibe can change day to day, so shouldn’t your theme do the same? You can choose from a variety of themes, from music and movies to food and sports. We’re constantly rolling out new themes, so make sure you check back regularly to find the right background that matches your mood.

Pro tip: To change the chat theme, press and hold the background and select one from the available options.

Messaging made easy

No matter how you choose to express yourself on Instagram DMs, knowing these useful tricks below will save you time and let you get right to the good stuff.

Pin your favorite chats

Tired of scrolling to find your favorite chats? You can pin up to three groups or one-on-one chats to the top of your inbox for quicker access to those who matter the most.

Edit your message instantly

When you’re on the go, sometimes mistakes happen. Keep the conversation from getting sidetracked by editing your message up to 15 minutes after sending it or unsending the message completely.

To unsend or edit on Instagram DMs:

• Press and hold on to the sent message
• Choose “Edit” or “Unsend” from the drop-down menu.

Take control and toggle

Read receipts conveniently to let others know you’ve read their message. Now, you can turn read receipts on or off for all your chats or specific ones.

Get a pulse check with polls

Polls are a fun way to engage your friends and get their opinions on any topic you’re interested in. Trying to decide on Friday night plans? Polls can turn decision-making into something collaborative and fun.

Here’s how:

• Tap a group name from your Chats list to open the conversation
• Tap , then tap Poll
• Enter your questions and answers
• Create a Poll and see the answers roll in

Send messages silently

It’s late and inspiration has struck. Sometimes you don’t want to notify your friends, but you also don’t want to lose your train of thought. With silent messages, you don’t ever have to choose.

Pro tip: Type /silent, insert a space and type your message. It’ll send without a notification to your friends. Another friendly feature that your friends can appreciate.

With all these fun ways to express yourself, Instagram DMs make it easier than ever to stay connected to your friends, no matter the time or place. Whether you’re sharing a laugh, planning your next hangout, or just checking in, DMs help keep your friendships close.