How to Switch from ManyChat to InstantDM
A complete step-by-step guide to disconnecting ManyChat and connecting InstantDM to your Instagram account.
Why Switch from ManyChat to InstantDM?
There are several reasons creators and businesses switch from ManyChat to InstantDM:
| Factor | ManyChat | InstantDM |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Starts at $15/mo, scales with contacts | Competitive pricing with more features included at lower tiers |
| Meta Business Partner | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Visual Flow Editor | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Quick DM (linear sequences) | Limited | ✅ Full multi-step with lead capture |
| AI Reply (OpenAI + Claude) | OpenAI only | ✅ OpenAI + Claude support |
| Next Post Automation | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Post-level collaboration | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (Collab Feature) |
| Boosted Reels automation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Shopify integration | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
💡 Important: You can only have one automation platform connected to your Instagram account at a time. ManyChat and InstantDM cannot run simultaneously. You must fully disconnect one before connecting the other.
Step 1: Disconnect ManyChat from Your Instagram
You need to remove ManyChat's access from your Instagram account settings. Here's how:
- Open the Instagram app on your phone (or go to instagram.com on desktop).
- Go to Settings (gear icon or hamburger menu → Settings and privacy).
- Navigate to Website permissions → Apps and Websites.
- Find ManyChat in the list of connected apps.
- Tap on ManyChat and select Remove.
- Confirm the removal when prompted.
Additionally, log in to your ManyChat dashboard and disconnect the Instagram channel from ManyChat's settings to ensure a clean disconnection on both sides.
Step 2: Wait for Meta to Release the Webhook
After disconnecting ManyChat, Meta needs a few minutes to release the webhook subscription from ManyChat's servers. This is a Meta-side process that you cannot speed up.
| Scenario | Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Typical disconnection | 5–10 minutes |
| Slow Meta processing | 10–20 minutes |
| Rare edge cases | Up to 30 minutes |
Do not try to connect InstantDM during this waiting period. If the webhook hasn't been released yet, the connection may fail or behave unpredictably.
Step 3: Connect InstantDM
- Go to instantdm.com and log in to your account (or create one).
- Follow the Account Setup Guide to connect your Instagram account.
- Grant the required permissions when prompted by Meta's authorization flow.
- Once connected, your Instagram posts and Reels will appear in the InstantDM dashboard.
💡 Tip: If the connection fails, wait another 5–10 minutes and try again. The webhook may not have been fully released yet.
Step 4: Recreate Your Automations
ManyChat automations do not transfer to InstantDM. You'll need to recreate them using InstantDM's tools:
| ManyChat Feature | InstantDM Equivalent | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword triggers → DM | Post Automation or Quick DM | Post Automation |
| Visual flow builder | Flow Editor | Flow Editor |
| Sequences / drip campaigns | Quick DM with delays | Quick DM |
| Story reply automation | Story Automation | Story Automation |
| Comment auto-reply | Post Automation (Reply Comments) | Post Automation |
| AI responses | AI Reply Node (Flow Editor) | AI Reply |
What Happens to Your ManyChat Data
When you disconnect ManyChat:
- Your ManyChat data stays in ManyChat. Contacts, flow history, analytics, and conversation logs remain in your ManyChat account.
- Automations stop working. Since the webhook is disconnected, ManyChat can no longer receive events from Instagram. Your flows will not trigger.
- Subscribers are not transferred. ManyChat subscriber data does not migrate to InstantDM. You start fresh in InstantDM.
- You can still log in to ManyChat. Your ManyChat account is not deleted. You can access historical data anytime.
Troubleshooting
"Automation not working after switching"
- Check webhook release. The most common issue is that Meta hasn't fully released the webhook. Wait 10–30 minutes and try reconnecting.
- Verify ManyChat is fully disconnected. Check both Instagram Settings → Apps and Websites AND ManyChat's own settings panel.
- Reconnect InstantDM. Go to InstantDM Settings → Account and click Reconnect.
- Check automation is toggled ON. Make sure your automation is enabled in InstantDM.
- Test from a different account. You cannot trigger your own automation by commenting on your own post.
"Instagram shows two apps connected"
If you see both ManyChat and InstantDM in your Instagram Apps and Websites settings, remove ManyChat first, wait for the webhook release, then verify InstantDM is the only connected automation platform.
"DMs are delayed or not arriving"
After switching platforms, there can be a brief period where Meta's systems are updating webhook subscriptions. If DMs are delayed:
- Wait 15–30 minutes for Meta's systems to stabilize.
- Check Dashboard → Recent Automation Log in InstantDM to see if events are being received.
- If no events appear after 30 minutes, disconnect and reconnect InstantDM.
Tips & Best Practices
- Document your ManyChat flows first. Before disconnecting, screenshot or document your ManyChat automations so you can recreate them in InstantDM.
- Switch during low-traffic hours. Disconnect and reconnect when your audience is least active to minimize missed automations during the transition.
- Test thoroughly after connecting. Run through all your automations from a test account to make sure everything works before promoting your content.
- Export ManyChat contacts. If you need your subscriber list, export it from ManyChat before switching. You can use this data for email marketing or reference.
- Don't rush the webhook release. Patience during step 2 prevents most connection issues. Trying to connect too early is the number one cause of problems.
Plan Requirements
| Feature | Required Plan |
|---|---|
| Connect Instagram account | All plans (including free) |
| Post Automation | All plans |
| Flow Editor | All plans |
| Quick DM | All plans |
| AI Reply | Starter and above |
| Boosted Reels Automation | Trendsetter and above |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I try InstantDM before fully switching?
You cannot run both platforms simultaneously on the same Instagram account. However, you can create a free InstantDM account and explore the dashboard, Flow Editor, and settings before connecting your Instagram. You can also test with a secondary Instagram account first.
Will my Instagram followers notice the switch?
No. The switch happens at the API level. Your followers will not see any notification or change. The only difference they might notice is a brief period (5–30 minutes) where comment-triggered DMs don't fire during the transition.
Can I switch back to ManyChat if I don't like InstantDM?
Yes. The process is fully reversible. Disconnect InstantDM from Instagram Settings → Apps and Websites, wait for the webhook release, and reconnect ManyChat. Your ManyChat account and data will still be there.
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