New to Instagram DMs? Stepping into your inbox can feel like navigating a cryptic world of symbols. Fear not! This guide demystifies every icon you’ll find in Instagram direct messages. We’ll start with the chat list icons that greet you upon entry, before diving into the symbols hidden within each conversation. Prepare to unlock the secrets of your Instagram inbox!
Good to know : check how to quickly hide likes & comments in Instagram’s new Reels Friends tab.
1. New Message or Pencil Icon
Ready to slide into someone’s DMs on Instagram? Look for that little pencil icon perched at the top, your gateway to new conversations. Think of it as your digital “hello.” A single tap unlocks the power to initiate a fresh chat. No existing thread? No problem! The pencil icon is your starting point. Just punch in their username in the “To” bar, select their profile, and unleash your witty opening line.
Ready to spark a conversation? In the web version, look to the top left for the vibrant new message icon. A simple click unveils your contact list. Found the right person? Hit theChatbutton and watch a fresh window materialize, ready for your thoughts to flow.
2. New Quicksnap Icon
Instagram’s Quicksnaps: Share fleeting moments with a select few! These disappearing acts let you send snapshots directly to friends or groups via DM. Once viewed, POOF! They’re gone, adding a dash of mystery and spontaneity to your conversations.
Want to spice up your chats? On Android, tap the quirky rectangular smiley face – it’s right beside the “New message” button – to unleash a brand new Quicksnap!
Or, ditch the search bar altogether! Just tap the Quicksnap card nestled below and BAM! – instantly capture and share your world.
Finding Quicksnap can feel like a treasure hunt, especially if you’re using certain Android or iOS devices. On my other Instagram account, the telltale Quicksnap icon plays hide-and-seek, camouflaged amongst the story bubbles at the top left. Meanwhile, the usual top-right spot only reveals the “New Message” icon. So, where did it go?
You can’t create Quicksnaps from the web version of Instagram.
3. New AI Chat Icon
Instagram’s latest iOS update swaps the familiar Quickshot icon for a shiny, new AI Chat button, nestling it right beside the Message icon.
Unleash your inner conversationalist! With AI Studio, you’re not just chatting with AI; you’re sparking dialogues with entirely new personalities. Craft your own digital muse from the ground up, or dive into pre-built characters. Feeling regal? I did! I brought Queen Elizabeth I back to life as an AI chatbot – her wit is as sharp as ever. What historical figure willyouresurrect?
Unleash the power of AI in a snap! Just tap theNew Messageicon within the Android app, then dive intoAI chats– your gateway to AI Studio awaits.
4. Multiple Selection Icon
See those three little dots huddling next to “New message” in your Instagram business inbox? Tap them! They’re your secret portal to unlocking “Select chats” for streamlined management or diving headfirst into a treasure trove of “Tools” to power up your profile.
The former allows you to do bulk operations, such as deleting multiple messages, marking as read, muting, and more.
Or, dive into theToolsmenu – your command center for effortless replies, campaignboosting ads, and lasersharp responsiveness tracking.
These icons don’t appear in the web version of Instagram.
5. Red Dot/Circle
Juggling multiple Instagram accounts? Spot a pesky red dot beside your username in DMs? That’s Instagram’s subtle nudge, signaling unread notifications on another of your accounts. No need to hunt! Simply tap your username to instantly switch and conquer those notifications directly from your chat list. Problem solved!
FYI : learn how to add custom stickers on your Instagram stories.
6. Share a Note Icon
Want to drop a quick thought bomb on your Instagram followers? Instagram Notes lets you share bite-sized updates, right from your DMs. See that little bubble with your profile pic at the top of your inbox? Tap it. That’s your launchpad to sharing your latest musings!
Recently, Instagram has added the option to add music, as well as your location, to these notes.
7. Map Icon
Tucked beside the familiar Note icon lies a gateway to Instagram’s hidden cartography: the Map feature. Ditch the extra apps – share your precise location with friends directly from within Instagram, plotting your adventures on their feeds in real-time.
8. (Blue) Camera Icon
See that camera icon nestled next to your chats? That’s your gateway to sending self-destructing photos and videos in Instagram Direct – messages that vanish faster than you can say “screenshot.”
Imagine sending a secret message that vanishes into thin air! Choose the “view once” option, and your photo or video self-destructs after the recipient’s initial viewing. Poof! Gone forever, unreplayable by anyone, including you.
Selfdestructing messages with a twist!Replay mode grants your recipient two fleeting glimpses of your message. But if you want your words to stick around, choose “Keep in Chat” they’ll remain untilyoudecide to make them vanish.
Tucked neatly beside your message bar, the familiar blue camera icon awaits, ready to transform your text thread into a vibrant visual conversation.
See a blue Play button shimmering next to a chat in your DMs? Someone just dropped a disappearing photo into your world. Tap it to view! Want to fire back a witty response before it vanishes forever? Hit the Reply button that pops up right after. Quick, the clock is ticking!
This Instagram symbol is not available in the web version.
9. Green Dot/Circle
Ever wondered if your friend is scrolling through Instagram at the same time as you? Instagram’s Activity Status reveals who’s online with a vibrant green dot on their profile picture in your DMs. Think of it as a digital “knock, knock” to see if they’re around for a chat. But here’s the catch: to see others’ availability, you need to show yours. No green dots? Time to flip the switch in your settings and join the online party!
That little green dot? It’s not just for stories anymore. Now, it pops up in the “Notes” section too, even if your friend hasn’t actually posted anything. Sneaky, right? Plus, keep an eye out for the “Active Now” tag chilling beneath their name – another clue they’re online and ready for a chat.
Want to control who knows when you’re online on Instagram? Dive into stealth mode! Just navigate toSettings & activity >Message and story replies >Show activity statusand flip the switch. Go invisible, or stay connected it’s your call!
Tip : learn how to reset your Instagram algorithm for a fresh feed.
10. Mute Symbol
Tired of someone’s constant Instagram chatter? Silence them with a tap! A crossed-out bell next to their name in your DMs means sweet, sweet silence. Ready to reconnect? Just dive back into your chat, tap their name, and hit “Unmute” to reignite the conversation.
Silence the Noise: Muting on Instagram means farewell to those pesky notifications. But out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind! To catch up on their posts, you’ll need to peek in on their profile now and then. Consider it a curated quiet time, with you in control.
11. Phone/Video Icon
Want to quickly connect with someone you’re chatting with? Look for the phone icon perched at the top of your message thread – one tap and you’re instantly dialing. Need to see their face? The video call icon is right beside it, ready for a face-to-face conversation.
12. Blend Icon
Ever spotted a smiley face wearing a plus sign like a tiny, hopeful hat in your Instagram DMs? It’s not just another emoji – it unlocks a whole new dimension of interaction.
Want to co-create Instagram Reels magic with a friend? Dive into the world of Blend feeds! Unlock the secrets to setting up your own shared masterpiece. Head over to our latest post for a step-by-step guide!
13. Info Icon
Unleash hidden Instagram secrets! Spot that tiny “i” beside the call buttons on your PC’s Instagram? Click it. Boom! A treasure trove of extra contact options awaits.
Ever tapped a name in your DMs and wondered what secrets lay beneath? That familiar info screen isn’t just a nameplate. It’s your control panel for managing conversations. Instantly silence notifications with the mute option, build a digital wall with the block button, or banish the chat history altogether with a tap to delete.
14. Microphone Icon
Want to send a quick voice note instead of typing? Just look for the microphone icon nestled at the bottom of your chat screen. On your phone or computer, a simple press and hold is all it takes to unleash your voice.
15. Image Icon
Want to share a photo or video? Just tap the gallery icon! Pick your favorite memory and send it directly from your phone or computer to your friend.
Tip : try this trick to remove annoying ads from Instagram.
16. Sticker Icon
Spice up your Instagram chats! Unleash a world of stickers, GIFs, and avatar stickers with a simple tap on the sticker icon. Inject fun and personality into your conversations, whether you’re chatting on your phone or desktop.
Hunting for that perfect sticker, GIF, or avatar magic? The search bar above is your key. No Instagram avatar yet? No sweat! Let’s whip one up, shall we?
Spice up your web chats! You’ll find a handy emoji button nestled on the left of the message bar, ready to unleash a world of expression.
But that’s not all! Glance right, past the stickers – you’ll spot a tiny, heart-shaped beacon. Tap it, and shower your conversations with a burst of crimson affection. Let the love tokens fly!
17. Send Icon
Ready to launch your message? After crafting your masterpiece, look to the right of the message bar. See that sleek paper airplane icon? One tap sends your words soaring into the digital skies!
18. Heart (Like) Icon
See a little red heart pop up beside a message? That means your friend is feeling the love! They’ve reacted to your words. Want to send some emoji love back? Just press and hold on that message (or any post) and unleash your own reaction!
To react, simply glide your cursor over the post. A constellation of emoji will bloom; click the one that best expresses your feels.
19. Paper Airplane Icon
See that paper airplane icon zipping by your messages? That’s your secret weapon. Unleash it to instantly share photos and posts with your crew. Think of it as your digital carrier pigeon, delivering awesome content directly to their inbox.
See a photo someone sent you? A single tap unlocks a full-screen view, ready for its close-up. Want to keep it forever? Just hit that download arrow, and boom – it’s yours, saved straight to your phone or computer.
Web users, spot the arrow! It’s your direct line to respond to any shared item. Mobile mavens, just swipe right on that post and unleash your thoughts.
20. AI Studio Icon
Want to warp back to AI Studio in a flash? Keep your eyes peeled for the cosmic cluster icon – three orbiting circles topped with a shining star – nestled in the chat’s top right. One click, and you’re instantly transported to a universe of AI possibilities: discover new AI companions or forge your own digital entity.
21. Your AI Settings Icon
Tinker under the hood! Tap the gear icon to unveil your AI’s control panel. Give your chatbot a fresh moniker, swap out its profile pic for a dazzling new look, or even rewrite its core programming with a revised prompt. The power is in your hands!
Beyond the basics, take the reins of your AI’s persona. Craft a captivating welcome message, spark conversation with engaging icebreakers, and fine-tune privacy controls all within the advanced settings. Shape your AI to be uniquely yours.
22. AI Info Symbol
See that tiny “i” in the top right? Give it a tap! It unlocks a treasure trove of insights – revealing the AI’s inner workings, from its accuracy score to the secrets of its training.
23. Reload Icon
Dissatisfied with the AI’s response? Keep an eye out! A subtle refresh icon appears beside each answer, offering you a chance to reroll and get a different perspective. Think of it as a “try again” button for AI insights.
24. Improve AI Symbol
25. Rate AI Reply Icons
Shape the future of AI! Every thumbs up or down you give helps refine its intelligence. Rate the AI’s responses and leave your mark.
26. Vanish Mode Symbol
See a disappearing act in your DMs? A special symbol marks chats in Vanish Mode. Once you close the window, poof! Messages sent and received vanish into thin air, leaving no trace behind.
Activate Vanish mode by swiping up from a chat.
Instagram DM mysteries solved? Don’t let those chats vanish! Snag your memories (media included!) before they’re gone. Your step-by-step guide to downloading those precious convos awaits – click here!
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