How to Check Messages on Instagram

Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms for connecting, whether it’s with friends, family, or even businesses. But let’s be honest—while scrolling through Reels is fun, the real conversations often happen in the DMs (direct messages). If you’re new to Instagram or just haven’t fully explored how messages actually work, you might be wondering: How do I check messages on Instagram?

The good news is that it’s super simple. And not only will I walk you through checking messages step-by-step, but I’ll also share a game-changer tool that makes dealing with Instagram messages (and comments that lead to DMs) way easier.

Where to Find Your Instagram Messages

Messages on Instagram are tucked right into the app. Whether you’re on your phone or using the desktop version, you can find them with just a couple of taps or clicks.

On Mobile (iOS or Android)

Open your Instagram app.

Look at the top-right corner of your home screen. You’ll see a small paper airplane icon (or sometimes the Messenger logo if your Instagram is connected to Facebook Messenger).

Tap that icon, and boom—you’re inside your inbox.

Here you’ll see all your conversations. If someone new messages you, their DM might show up in the Requests tab. You’ll need to approve the request before you can reply.

On Desktop (Instagram Web)

Go to Instagram.com and log in.

Again, look for the paper airplane icon in the top-right.

Click it, and you’ll see your messages on the left-hand side, just like a simple chat inbox.

That’s it—you’re in.

Understanding Instagram Message Requests Here’s something a lot of people miss: if you’re not following someone (and they’re not following you), their DM doesn’t land straight into your inbox. Instead, it lands in “Message Requests.”

These won’t notify you like normal messages.

You’ll have to manually approve or delete them.

Once approved, the conversation moves into your main inbox.

This is especially helpful for keeping spam away, but if you’re running a business, that means you really can’t afford to ignore the request tab—because you might be missing out on genuine leads or potential customers.

Different Types of Instagram Messages

When you open your DMs, you’ll notice messages come in a few different forms:

Text messages: A simple typed message, just like texting.

Photos or videos: People can send you media right inside the DM.

Voice notes: Tap and hold the microphone button to send a quick voice message.

Reels or posts: Friends often share funny or inspiring Reels with you via DM.

Disappearing pictures/videos: Sent through the camera option, these vanish after being viewed.

The Problem With Too Many DMs

If you’re just messaging a few friends, Instagram DMs are straightforward. But if you’re using Instagram to grow your side hustle, manage a business, or even promote personal content, DMs can pile up really fast.

Picture this: you post something on Instagram about your product or service, and in the comments, people start asking:

“Can I get the link?”

“How do I sign up?”

“Where do I purchase this?”

Now, you can go through each comment and manually reply or DM the link individually—but that eats up time. And the bigger your Instagram gets, the harder it becomes to reply fast enough before someone loses interest.

That’s where tools like InstantDM really shine.

Meet InstantDM: Your Instagram DM Assistant

If you’ve never heard of InstantDM, let me translate what it does into simple words:

It’s the safest Instagram DM automation tool out there. Basically, instead of spending hours checking comments, copying links, and sending DMs one by one, InstantDM does it for you automatically.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you post about your online class. In the comments, people ask, “How do I join the class?” Normally, you’d waste time typing “Check your DM, I sent you the link!” and then actually sending the link. InstantDM skips the hassle:

Someone comments “How do I join?” → InstantDM instantly sends them the link via DM.

Someone says “Can I buy this?” → InstantDM automatically replies with your purchase page.

Someone asks, “Where to get more info?” → They get a direct, pre-set answer in their inbox.

Just imagine how much time you save. Instead of chasing down comments and copying-pasting, everything runs smoothly in the background. Plus, responses feel immediate, which makes followers way more likely to convert into actual customers.

Why This Matters for Checking Messages

You might be thinking, Okay, cool, but how does this tie into checking messages on Instagram? Here’s how:

Normally, you’d have to keep checking both your comments and your DMs nonstop.

With InstantDM, comments that would’ve required a manual DM are already handled.

That means your inbox stays cleaner. Instead of dozens of “link please” messages, you can focus on real conversations and customer questions.

To put it simply: checking your Instagram messages becomes way less stressful because automation takes the bulk work off your plate.

Step-by-Step: Making Messages Work For You Let’s break this down into a workflow you can actually use:

Check your Messages daily

Open your Instagram inbox (mobile or desktop) and take a few minutes to read through. Don’t ignore requests—there might be important stuff there. Reply personally when it matters Some messages need a personal touch, especially if someone is asking detailed questions or needs actual support.

Automate the repetitive replies

If the same comment pops up again and again (“Where’s the link?” “How much does it cost?”), set up InstantDM to take care of those automatically. That way, the inbox you’re checking every day is filled mostly with valuable conversations, not copy-paste jobs. Organize your inbox Instagram now lets you filter DMs into “Primary” and “General.” Keep urgent ones in Primary and move less-important ones into General so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

Checking Messages Without Getting Overwhelmed

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to check messages, but to manage them in a way that keeps you sane. Especially if your Instagram grows, you’ll find the hardest part isn’t opening the inbox—it’s keeping up. And that’s why combining your regular Instagram app checks with a smart tool like InstantDM is the sweet spot. You don’t lose the personal connection with your followers, but you don’t get buried under repetitive messages either.

People also ask

Where can I see my messages on Instagram?

You can see your messages on Instagram by tapping the paper airplane or Messenger icon in the top right corner of the app or website—this opens your DM inbox, where all your conversations and message requests appear. If you get lots of comments asking for details or links, InstantDM takes the load off by automatically replying and sending info right to people's inboxes, making it way easier to manage messages and stay organized

What does the message icon look like on Instagram?

The message icon on Instagram usually looks like a little paper airplane or, after Messenger updates, a chat bubble with a lightning bolt—it's found at the top right corner in the app and that's where you tap to check your DMs. If you're handling tons of comments or want to reply to everyone quickly, tools like InstantDM can help by sending those replies automatically via DM so you never miss a message or a chance to connect.

How do I open DM in Instagram?

To open DMs on Instagram, just tap the paper airplane or Messenger bubble icon in the top right corner of the app; that’s your inbox for private messages, where you can read and reply to DMs or message requests. For busy accounts, InstantDM can help by sending replies automatically when someone asks for info in a comment, so important messages go straight to their inbox and you save tons of time.

Final Thoughts

So, how do you check messages on Instagram? Simple: tap the paper airplane icon and you’re in. Easy as that. But if you’re running a growing brand, side hustle, or business on Instagram, “checking messages” quickly becomes more than just opening your inbox—it’s about managing conversations efficiently so you don’t miss opportunities. Leverage Instagram’s built-in features to keep things tidy, but don’t be afraid to bring in tools like InstantDM when your comments and DMs start exploding.