(Credit: Joe Hindy/PCMag)
Instagram is rolling out some direct message updates, most notably the ability to edit chats and turn off read receipts.
Whether auto-correct fails you or you add the wrong emoji, Instagram will let you edit a DM up to 15 minutes after you send it. Long-press on it tap the edit button, make your changes, and apply.
(Credit: Meta)If your DM inbox is crowded, meanwhile, Instagram says it will "soon" let you pin up to three chats up top. Long-press any conversation and tap the pin option to lock it to the top of your feed. Perform the steps again to unpin a conversation.
(Credit: Meta)Also on tap is a feature Instagram started testing late last year: the option to turn off read receipts. This will allow you to view messages from your contacts without it adding a "Seen by X" message to your chat. This can reduce the anxiety of needing to reply right away, and Instagram will let you apply this to everyone or just specific chats.
- Open Instagram and go to account settings.
- Select the "Messages and story replies" option.
- Tap "Show read receipts."
- Toggle read receipts on or off as needed.
Instagram added a couple of other aesthetic changes. Whenever you see a sticker you like, you can now long-press it and save it as a favorite. Then, when you engage with stickers next, the favorited stickers are much easier to find. Meta says that "stickers, GIFs, videos, photos, and voice messages are available" when replying to messages. There are also some new themes to choose from to liven your chats up a bit.