Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, initially released as a smartphone platform. But ever since Instagram collaborated with the tech giant Facebook, its features, such as DMs, are now compatible with other devices, like desktop computers, laptops, and MacBooks.
To send DMs on Instagram with a computer, open your PC’s web browser and go to the Instagram website. Log in with your credentials and click the messenger icon on the upper right side of the screen. The Inbox will open where you can click the “Send Message” button to choose a recipient and click “Next” to open the DM chat box for sending a message afterwards.
In this article, we will guide you on how to send DMs on Instagram with a computer by running Windows or Mac operating system with easy step-by-step instructions.
Sending DMs on Instagram With Computer
Are you unable to figure out how to send DMs on Instagram with a computer? Our three step-by-step methods will help you achieve this task without much difficulty.
Method #1: Sending DM From Instagram Web
Like other social media platforms, you can access Instagram from a web browser on a computer where you can send messages by following these steps.
- Open a browser, go to the Instagram website and log in to your account.
- Click the messenger icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- The Inbox will appear; click the “Send Message” button.
- Select the user to whom you want to send a DM and click “Next.”
- The chat box with the selected user will open from where you can send direct messages.
The Instagram website does not allow posting stories. This feature is only limited to the Instagram mobile application.
Method #2: Sending DM From Desktop App
If you’re using a Windows computer system, follow these steps to send DMs using the Instagram Desktop Application instantly.
- Download and install the Instagram Desktop Application on your Windows computer.
- Click the “Start” button, type “Instagram” in the search bar, and run the application.
- Login to your account and click on the messenger icon on the upper right side of the screen.
- Click the “Send Message” button and select the person you want to direct message.
- After selecting the person, click “Next” to open a chat box for sending DM to that person.
The new Instagram Messenger feature lets you cross-chat with friends who use both Instagram and Facebook, making it easier to send direct messages.
Method #3: Sending DM From MacBook
If you’re using a MacBook, you cannot use the Instagram desktop application like in Windows. But you can still send DMs from your Mac by following the below steps.
Step #1: Enabling Developer Menu on Safari
Open the Safari browser on your Mac computer and go to the Instagram website. Login to your account and click “Safari” from the upper menu bar on the screen.
A pop-up window will appear; check the “Show Developer Menu” option in the menu bar. Once you have reviewed this option, a new “Develop” option will appear on the Safari menu.
Step #2: Selecting iPhone Mode
Click the “Develop” option on the Safari menu bar and go to the “User Agent” option. Click “Safari-iOS 12.1.3-iPhone” to run Instagram web in its mobile version. The Instagram page will refresh, and you’ll see the iPhone version of Instagram.
Step #3: Sending DM From iPhone Version
Once the page reloads, click the paper plane icon on the upper right corner of the screen, and the Inbox of your Instagram will appear. You can now operate Instagram like its smartphone version to send DMs to your contacts.
To send someone a message or start a new conversation, click on the notepad icon on the top right. Select the person you want to DM from the pop-up menu and click “Next” to send direct messages.
Summary
In this guide on how to send DMs on Instagram with a computer, we’ve discussed sending direct messages on Windows and Mac computers using the Instagram website and desktop application.
Hopefully, all the hurdles for sending DMs while using Instagram on your computer are resolved, and you can contact any person directly without any trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Instagram desktop application gives you alert notifications on a Windows computer. If you’re not able to receive notifications, go to Start Menu > Settings > System > Notifications & Actions and scroll down to see if the toggle button next to Instagram is on. The notifications may not appear if you use Instagram via a browser like Google Chrome.
You cannot see the disappearing messages after you send them. However, you can view these messages if they were opened, delivered, or if someone took a screenshot.
