This wikiHow teaches you how to delete direct messages on Instagram on an Android, iPhone, or iPad device.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Deleting Conversations
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 1 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 1](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-1-j.webp)
Step 1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile or tablet
Instagram has a pink, orange, yellow, and purple camera icon that is usually found on the home screen. If you're using an Android device, Instagram might be in the app drawer.
- Use this method to delete entire message conversations directly from your Instagram inbox.
- This method will not delete messages in the inbox of the other person.
- "Unsend message" if you want to delete a message that you sent via direct message conversation. No one will be able to see the unsent message.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 2 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 2](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-2-j.webp)
Step 2. Tap the inbox icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. The inbox icon looks like a paper airplane if you don't have any unread messages. If you have unread messages, the inbox icon is in a pink circle with the number of unread messages in it.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 3 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 3](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-3-j.webp)
Step 3. Swipe the conversation to the left
This will bring up 2 options on the right side of the message.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 4 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 4](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-4-j.webp)
Step 4. Tap the Delete button
A confirmation message will appear later.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 5 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 5](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-5-j.webp)
Step 5. Tap the Delete button
The conversation has been deleted from your direct message inbox.
Method 2 of 2: Deleting Sent Messages
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 6 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 6](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-6-j.webp)
Step 1. Open the Instagram app on your mobile or tablet
This app has a pink, orange, yellow, and purple camera icon that can generally be found on the home screen. If you're using an Android device, Instagram might be in the app drawer.
- You can only delete messages that you send. If you want to delete a message sent by someone else, follow the steps to delete the entire conversation.
- This will “unsend” the message, meaning the other person in the conversation can no longer see it.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 7 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 7](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-7-j.webp)
Step 2. Tap the inbox icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. The inbox icon looks like a paper airplane if there are no unread messages. If you have unread messages, the inbox icon is in a pink circle with the number of unread messages in it.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 8 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 8](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-8-j.webp)
Step 3. Tap the conversation with the message you want to delete
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 9 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 9](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-9-j.webp)
Step 4. Tap and hold on the message in question
Two options will appear above it.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 10 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 10](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-10-j.webp)
Step 5. Tap the Cancel Sending Message button
A confirmation message will appear later.
![Delete a Message on Instagram Step 11 Delete a Message on Instagram Step 11](https://i.how-what-advice.com/images/008/image-21256-11-j.webp)
Step 6. Tap the Cancel Sending Message button
The message has been deleted from the conversation.