Ever accidentally sent a meme to the wrong person on Instagram? It’s awkward, right? 🙈 Maybe it’s a harmless mistake, like mixing up friends, which might feel a bit embarrassing. But what if you sent that meme to someone you barely know, like your ex’s ex? That kicks the cringe up a notch. Or imagine sending a bunch of cute cat photos not to your friend but to a potential employer at your dream startup—yep, that’s a cringe level of 10!
But here’s the good news: no matter how awkward your misplaced message might be, there’s a quick fix. Ready to erase those messages both from your phone and computer? Let’s dive into how you can delete Instagram messages and save yourself from those cringe-worthy mistakes.
How to delete select messages on Instagram for iOS and Android
Whether you’re clearing out old conversations or fixing a messaging mishap, deleting an Instagram DM is as simple as pie—much easier than doing the dishes or sweeping your floors! Here’s your quick guide to removing Instagram messages on both iPhones and Android devices:
- Open the Instagram app. Start by launching the app on your device.
- Access your chats. Tap on the direct messaging icon at the top right corner of your screen.
- Select the chat. Find and open the conversation that includes the message you want to delete.
- Press and hold the message. A menu will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Choose ‘Unsend’. Tap this option to erase the message from the conversation.
Remember: Even though it’s easy to delete messages, the other person might have already seen them. If they haven’t, you’re in the clear. Always double-check before sending a DM to avoid any mix-ups!
Delete an Instagram message on your computer
No worries, correcting it is straightforward. If you’ve sent a message to the wrong person, you’ll want to make sure it’s removed for everyone involved—not just for you. Unlike WhatsApp, where you might accidentally click “Delete for me” instead of “Delete for everyone,” Instagram simplifies things. When you unsend a message on Instagram, it disappears from the chat entirely, leaving no trace on either side.
Here’s how to delete an Instagram message from your computer:
- Open Instagram: Launch your preferred web browser and go to Instagram.
- Go to Direct Messages: Click on the DM icon at the top of the page.
- Select the conversation: Find and open the chat containing the misdirected message.
- Access options: Click on the three dots (…) next to the message.
- Unsend the message: Choose the ‘Unsend’ option to permanently remove the message from the conversation.
Tip: Double-check your messages before hitting send to prevent these slip-ups. But if you do need to backtrack, this quick fix is your safety net!
How to delete chats on Instagram
Whether you’re tidying up your digital space or just prefer a clutter-free inbox, deleting entire Instagram chats might be on your to-do list. It’s important to note, however, that deleting a chat from your account does not remove it from the other person’s account. If you were hoping to make conversations disappear completely from both sides, that won’t be possible—just a heads-up!
How to Delete an Instagram Chat on iPhone and Android
- Open the Instagram app: Tap to launch Instagram on your device.
- Navigate to messages: Tap the message icon in the upper right corner to see your direct messages.
- Select the conversation: Find and press on the conversation you want to remove.
- Swipe to delete: Swipe left on the conversation, and you’ll see options in red. You can choose to mute the chat if you want a break without losing the messages. To delete, tap Delete.
- Confirm your choice: A confirmation pop-up will appear. Confirm by tapping Delete again to permanently remove the chat.
How to Delete an Instagram Chat on the Web
- Log into Instagram: Open your preferred web browser and sign into your account.
- Go to your DM inbox: Navigate to the direct messaging area.
- Choose the chat to delete: Find the chat you wish to delete.
- Open chat details: Click the “i” symbol in the top right corner of the chat.
- Delete the chat: Select Delete from the options.
Quick Tip: Always double-check before you delete! Once a chat is gone, there’s no getting it back. But remember, while you can clear your inbox, the conversation will remain on the other person’s end unless they decide to delete it too.
Wrapping up
While we often focus on sharing tips to boost your engagement, increase traffic to your e-commerce site, or craft an impressive bio, today we dived into something a little different. Hopefully, this guide helps you avoid those awkward moments caused by misdirected messages.
Remember, platforms like Snapchat and Facebook Messenger have their own methods for handling message deletions, which might be a bit more complex than Instagram’s straightforward approach. So, the next time your heart skips a beat after sending a message to the wrong person on Instagram, just breathe and follow these steps—you’ve got this covered!
FAQ
How do I delete a single message on Instagram?
To delete a single message on Instagram, open the app, go to your direct messages, select the chat, hold down on the message you want to delete, and tap ‘Unsend’. This removes the message from the conversation on both sides.
Can I delete an Instagram message from both sides of the conversation?
Yes, when you ‘Unsend’ a message on Instagram, it is deleted from both your side and the recipient’s side of the conversation.
How do I delete an entire chat on Instagram from my iPhone or Android device?
To delete an entire chat on Instagram, open the app, navigate to the messages, swipe left on the chat you want to delete, and tap ‘Delete’. Confirm the action when prompted.
Is it possible to delete a chat from both my side and the other person’s side on Instagram?
No, deleting a chat on Instagram will only remove it from your account. The chat will remain visible in the other person’s inbox unless they decide to delete it themselves.
How can I delete an Instagram chat using a computer?
Log into Instagram on a web browser, navigate to your DM inbox, select the chat you want to delete, click the ‘i’ symbol, and then choose ‘Delete’ to remove the chat.
What should I double-check before sending a message on Instagram?
Always make sure you are sending the message to the intended recipient to avoid sending messages to the wrong person, which can be embarrassing. Double-checking helps prevent these mistakes.
