Sending direct messages to other Instagram users is a great way to deliver private messages that other people can't see. You can use the Instagram Direct segment or use the buttons or options on the recipient's profile to send a direct message. Now, you can also send direct messages to other users on Windows computers via the Windows version of the Instagram app. This wikiHow teaches you how to send private messages directly to other Instagram users.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Instagram Direct Segments on Instagram Mobile App
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 1 Direct Message on Instagram Step 1](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-1-j.webp)
Step 1. Open the Instagram app
The Instagram app is marked by a pink, purple, and yellow camera icon. Tap the icon on the home screen or app menu to open Instagram. If you are already logged in to your account, the main Instagram page will load.
If not, type in your username (or phone number/email address) and account password, then tap “ Login ”.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 2 Direct Message on Instagram Step 2](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-2-j.webp)
Step 2. Touch the paper airplane icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. The Instagram Direct segment, Instagram's messaging service will open afterward.
If you're not on Instagram's main page, first tap the home icon in the lower-left corner of the screen
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 3 Direct Message on Instagram Step 3](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-3-j.webp)
Step 3. Touch
This icon looks like a pencil and paper. You can see it in the top right corner of the “Direct” page.
Alternatively, if there is an ongoing chat, you can touch the recipient's name on the “Direct” page directly
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 4 Direct Message on Instagram Step 4](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-5-j.webp)
Step 4. Touch the user you want to message
A tick will be added to the circle to the right of the contact's name. You can touch as many usernames as you want.
You can also type your username in the search bar at the top of the screen
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 5 Direct Message on Instagram Step 5](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-6-j.webp)
Step 5. Touch Chat
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. A direct message window (“Direct”) will load afterwards.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 6 Direct Message on Instagram Step 6](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-7-j.webp)
Step 6. Touch the message field (“Message”)
This long bar is at the bottom of the screen and is labeled "Message".
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 7 Direct Message on Instagram Step 7](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-8-j.webp)
Step 7. Type in the message you want to send
You can review messages in the “Message” bar.
If you want to send a photo, tap the photo icon on the left side of the text field. After that, touch the desired photo to select it
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 8 Direct Message on Instagram Step 8](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-9-j.webp)
Step 8. Touch Send
It's on the right side of the message field. After that, the message will be sent directly to the recipient.
If you're submitting a photo, tap the arrow buttons at the bottom of the screen
Method 2 of 4: Via Receiver Profile on Smartphones and Tablets
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 9 Direct Message on Instagram Step 9](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-10-j.webp)
Step 1. Open the Instagram app
The app is marked by a pink, purple, and yellow camera icon. Tap the icon on the home screen or app menu to open Instagram. If you are already logged in to your account, the main Instagram page will load.
If not, type in your username (or phone number/email address) and account password, then tap “ Login ”.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 10 Direct Message on Instagram Step 10](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-11-j.webp)
Step 2. Touch the magnifying glass icon
This icon is the second tab at the bottom of the screen.
You can also scroll through the pages on the “Home” tab until you find the uploads of the users you want to message
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 11 Direct Message on Instagram Step 11](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-13-j.webp)
Step 3. Touch the search bar
This bar is at the top of the screen.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 12 Direct Message on Instagram Step 12](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-14-j.webp)
Step 4. Type in the recipient's name
As you type your name, you can see user suggestions below the search bar.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 13 Direct Message on Instagram Step 13](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-15-j.webp)
Step 5. Touch the desired username
After that, you will be taken to their profile page.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 14 Direct Message on Instagram Step 14](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-16-j.webp)
Step 6. Touch Messages
This option is below the user's information on their profile page.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 15 Direct Message on Instagram Step 15](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-17-j.webp)
Step 7. Touch the "Message" field
This long column is at the bottom of the screen and is labeled "Message". You can find it at the bottom of the screen.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 16 Direct Message on Instagram Step 16](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-18-j.webp)
Step 8. Type in a message
You can review messages in the message field.
Alternatively, if you want to send a photo, tap the photo icon on the left side of the text field. After that, touch the photo to select it
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 17 Direct Message on Instagram Step 17](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-19-j.webp)
Step 9. Touch Send
It's on the right side of the message field. After that, the message will be sent to the selected recipient.
If you're submitting a photo, tap the arrow icon at the bottom of the screen
Method 3 of 4: Using Direct Segments on the Instagram Web App
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 18 Direct Message on Instagram Step 18](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-20-j.webp)
Step 1. Visit https://www.instagram.com/ via a web browser
You can use any web browser on a PC or Mac computer. With the web version of Instagram, you can access your Instagram account on a PC or Mac computer.
Alternatively, you can download the Windows version of the Instagram app from the Microsoft Store
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 19 Direct Message on Instagram Step 19](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-21-j.webp)
Step 2. Log in to your Instagram account (if necessary)
If you're not logged into your account automatically, type in your Instagram username (or phone number/email address) and password, then click “ Login " You can also access the account via a Facebook account. If Instagram successfully detects the account, click " Continue as [your Instagram username] ” (“Continue as [your Instagram username]”).
If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you'll need to check the text message or email that Instagram sends and look for a 6-digit authentication code. Enter the code into your web browser and log in to your account
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 20 Direct Message on Instagram Step 20](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-22-j.webp)
Step 3. Click the paper airplane icon
It's in the top-right corner of the Instagram app, to the left of the other icons.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 21 Direct Message on Instagram Step 21](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-23-j.webp)
Step 4. Click Send Message
It's a blue button in the center of the right pane. Once clicked, a " New Message " window will load in the center of the application.
Alternatively, you can click on the still running chat thread on the left pane
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 22 Direct Message on Instagram Step 22](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-24-j.webp)
Step 5. Type the recipient's name in the field next to To: After that, a list of contact names that match the search parameters will be displayed.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 23 Direct Message on Instagram Step 23](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-25-j.webp)
Step 6. Click the recipient's name
After that, the recipient will be added to the " To: " field at the top of the " New Message " window.
You can add another recipient by typing their name under the first name, then clicking their username
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 24 Direct Message on Instagram Step 24](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-26-j.webp)
Step 7. Click Next
It's in the upper-right corner of the "New Message" window. After that, a new dialog/chat window will load.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 25 Direct Message on Instagram Step 25](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-27-j.webp)
Step 8. Click the "Message" field
This long bar labeled " Message " is at the bottom of the dialog/chat window.
Alternatively, you can send a photo by clicking the photo icon on the right side of the “Message” column. Browse for the photo you want to send, then click on the photo to select it. After that, select " Open ”.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 26 Direct Message on Instagram Step 26](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-28-j.webp)
Step 9. Type in the message you want to send
You can review the message in the column at the bottom of the chat or dialog window.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 27 Direct Message on Instagram Step 27](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-29-j.webp)
Step 10. Click Send
It's on the right side of the dialog/chat window. The message will be sent to the recipient.
Method 4 of 4: Via Recipient Profile on Instagram Web App
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 28 Direct Message on Instagram Step 28](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-30-j.webp)
Step 1. Visit https://www.instagram.com/ via a web browser
You can use any web browser on a PC or Mac computer. With the web version of Instagram, you can access your Instagram account on a PC or Mac computer.
Alternatively, you can download the Windows version of the Instagram app from the Microsoft Store
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 29 Direct Message on Instagram Step 29](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-31-j.webp)
Step 2. Log in to your Instagram account (if necessary)
If you're not logged into your account automatically, type in your Instagram username (or phone number/email address) and password, then click “ Login " You can also access the account via a Facebook account. If Instagram successfully detects the account, click " Continue as [your Instagram username] ” (“Continue as [your Instagram username]”).
If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you'll need to check the text message or email that Instagram sends and look for a 6-digit authentication code. Enter the code into your web browser and log in to your account
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 30 Direct Message on Instagram Step 30](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-32-j.webp)
Step 3. Click the search bar
This bar is at the top center of the Instagram app. With this bar, you can search for the recipient of the message.
Alternatively, you can browse the feed or “Home” page until you find a post from the user you want to message
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 31 Direct Message on Instagram Step 31](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-33-j.webp)
Step 4. Type in the recipient's name
A list of users who match the search parameters will be displayed afterwards.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 32 Direct Message on Instagram Step 32](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-34-j.webp)
Step 5. Click the recipient's username
His profile page will load afterwards.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 33 Direct Message on Instagram Step 33](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-35-j.webp)
Step 6. Click Messages
It's at the top of the recipient's profile page, next to their username. A new chat/dialog window will load afterwards.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 34 Direct Message on Instagram Step 34](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-36-j.webp)
Step 7. Click the "Message" field
This long bar labeled " Message " is at the bottom of the dialog/chat window.
Alternatively, you can send a photo by clicking the photo icon on the right side of the “Message” column. Browse for the photo you want to send, then click on the photo to select it. After that, select " Open ”.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 35 Direct Message on Instagram Step 35](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-37-j.webp)
Step 8. Type in the message you want to send
You can review the message in the column at the bottom of the chat or dialog window.
![Direct Message on Instagram Step 36 Direct Message on Instagram Step 36](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/007/image-19454-38-j.webp)
Step 9. Click Send
It's on the right side of the dialog/chat window. The message will be sent to the recipient.