While Instagram is mainly a platform for posting photos, it also offers private messaging. And like most messaging services, you have full control over which messages get saved and deleted.
If your inbox is filled with messages, there are two ways to delete your Instagram messages. You can delete entire conversations as well as individual messages you’ve sent.
How to delete a single message on Instagram?
Delete your own individual messages
If you’ve sent a message that you later want to return, you can delete it using the “Unsend” option. This will delete it for everyone in the conversation.
1. Open Instagram again and find the message you want to delete.
2. Press and hold your finger on the message you want to unsend.
3. When a pop-up menu appears, select the Unsend option and confirm deletion.
Note that while unsending a message will delete it for everyone, sending a message might still notify everyone else in the conversation.
Deleting entire conversations
1. Open Instagram and tap the messages icon in the top-right corner, which looks like a paper airplane.
2. On the messages page, tap the icon in the top-right that looks like a bulleted list.
3. Tap all the conversations you want to delete, then tap Delete in the bottom-right corner.
4. Confirm that you want to delete the conversations.
Remember that the other person (or people) in the conversation will still be able to see the messages unless they delete it themselves.
How to delete selected messages on Instagram iPhone?
Delete Instagram Messages on iPhone in 5 Steps
Step-1: Open the Instagram app: On the iPhone, look for the iPhone app. You can find the Instagram app in the app library or search for it in the search bar.
Step-2 Tap on the messages icon: When you open Instagram the app, you need to look to the top left corner of the page and tap on the messages icon.
The messages icon resembles the messenger app icon. The numbers visible in red on the icon are the number of unread messages you have.
Step-3: Tap on the chat: Now, you will see a list of friends with whom you chat. To delete the message open the chat in which you’ve sent that message.
Step-4: Tap and hold the message: Now select the message. To select and access further options tap and hold that message.
Along with sending a text message, you can send a:
- Voice note
- Photo
- Video
To your friends. You can also unsend these messages.
Step-5: Tap on Unsend: Once you select the message, new options will pop up at the bottom of the screen. The options are:
- Reply
- Unsend
- More
Tap on Unsend. Now you will be able to successfully delete messages on Instagram in just a few steps!
How to delete messages on Instagram from both sides?
To delete all messages on both sides, you can turn on vanish mode with the help of the following steps:
Note: To turn on vanish mode for a chat, you and the person need to follow each other on Instagram.
1. Open the Instagram app and tap on the Messenger icon in the top right corner.
2. Tap on the plus icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap on the desired chat > username at the top of the chat.
4. Turn on the toggle for Vanish mode. As the vanish mode is turned on, the other person involved in the chat will be notified.
This is how you delete all messages on both sides of Instagram.
Does Vanish Mode Delete Messages on Both Sides?
Yes, the vanish mode deletes messages on both sides. The vanish mode can only be turned on if you both follow each other on this platform. After turning on the vanish mode, all the messages, photos, videos, and other content automatically get removed. This mode only works with personal DMs and can’t be used for group chats.
How Do You Know If Someone is Using Vanish Mode?
The screen turns black when using vanish mode. Also, a bunch of shush emojis fall from the top of the screen. As the vanish mode is turned on, the other person involved in the chat will be notified. You won’t be able to copy, save, screenshot, or forward disappearing messages. This is how you can know if someone is using vanish mode.
How to Delete All Instagram Messages At Once on iPhone and Android?
Delete All Instagram Messages (Business Account).
For those who have a business account on Instagram, we come bearing good news! We’re here to tell you that being a business account holder on the platform, you’re one of those who enjoy the privilege of being able to select multiple conversations at once. So, if you want to empty your entire DM section at once, it shouldn’t take you longer than a couple of minutes to get it done.
If you’ve done such a thing on your account before, you’re certainly missing out. To change that, we’ve curated a step-by-step guide to selecting and deleting multiple messages at once below.
Here’s how you can:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your smartphone and log into your account if you haven’t already.
Step 2: The first tab you’ll find yourself on is the Home tab, with a home icon drawn in a column arranged at the bottom of your screen.
If you look at the top of your screen, you’ll locate a message icon in the top right-most corner. In order to go to your DMs tab, tap on this message icon.
Step 3: Once you’re on the DMs tab, you’ll notice how it’s divided into three categories: Primary, General, and Requests.
The first thing you need to do now is choose the section from which you want to delete all messages. Once you’ve made up your mind, tap on that category to view its chat list.
Step 4: Now, there are two icons drawn in the top right corner of this tab as well: the first one is a list icon, and the second one is for composing a new message. Just tap on the list icon.
Step 5: After you tap on the list icon, you’ll observe small circles appearing next to each conversation in the list.
Step 6: When you tap on one of these circles, it’ll turn blue with a white tick mark inside, and the chat next to it will be selected.
Now, before you select all the messages, keep in mind that you can do other things with them as well, apart from deleting them. The other actionable options that you have include muting these chats, flagging them, and marking them as unread (for yourself).
Step 5: To delete all the DMs you’ve received, check all the circles first. Then, at the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a red Delete button with the number of messages written in brackets next to it.
Step 6: When you click on the Delete button, you’ll see another dialogue box on your screen, asking you to confirm your action. As soon as you tap on Delete on this box, all the select messages will automatically disappear from your DMs tab.
It is also important to note that you can only empty one category inside your DMs tab at once. So, if you’ve cleared the Primary section now, repeat the same steps with the General and Requests sections, and your DM will be emptied out.
Delete All Instagram Messages (Personal & Private Accounts)
We regret to inform you that as a private account owner on Instagram, you don’t have access to the feature of selecting multiple conversations at once. And if you think about it, it makes sense as well. Those who use Instagram for personal reasons rarely have to perform such bulk options, which is why it’s not sensible for them to have this feature.
However, if Instagram plans to open this feature to all account users in the future, we’ll be the first ones to tell you about it.
How to Delete Single Conversations from Instagram DMs?
If you’re an Android user, follow these steps to delete a single conversation from your Instagram DMs:
Step 1: Open the Instagram app on your smartphone and log into your account if you haven’t already. On the home screen, navigate the message icon on your top right and tap on it to go to your DMs tab.
Step 2: From the list of chats on your DMs tab, find the one chat that you need to delete. If scrolling through all chats is taking too long, you can also type this person’s username in the search bar given on top to find them more quickly.
Step 3: Once you find their chat, long-press on it until a menu scrolls up from the bottom of your screen. This menu would have three options on it: Delete, Mute messages and Mute Call Notifications
As soon as you tap on the first option, you’ll be asked to confirm your action in another dialogue box. Select Delete on this box and that conversation will be removed from your DMs.
However, this method will only work for Android users. If you have an iPhone and are trying to long-press a chat, it will achieve nothing for you.
So, as an iOS user, instead of long-pressing on a chat, you need to swipe left on it. As soon as you do, you’ll see two buttons there: Mute and Delete
Select the Delete option and confirm your action when prompted, and the chat will be removed from your chat list.
FAQ
How to Delete an Entire Chat on Instagram?
Instagram is the main form of internet communication for many people. You can talk to hundreds of people at the same time.
However, sometimes it can create clutter in your chat box or inbox. To tackle this problem you can delete an entire chat on Instagram. All you need to do is go to the chat you want to delete and slide your finger across the screen (from right to delete).
Is Logging Out Similar to Deleting an Account on Instagram?
No, when you log out of your Instagram account it just means that you won’t be able to access your account locally on that device.
On the other hand, deleting an account means that you won’t be able to access your account at all. If you feel distracted or for some reason want to discontinue using your Instagram handle.
Does Blocking Someone on Instagram Delete Their Chats?
If you don’t want to interact with someone on Instagram you can always block them.
After blocking someone’s images, unfortunately, you cannot delete direct messages sent to that person. After blocking, you might not be able to send messages to each other but the old messages will stay intact. But after blocking,
- The blocked person can’t tag you in posts
- Your profile won’t be visible to that person
- Likes and comments of the blocked person won’t show up on your profile
- They won’t be able to view or follow any other accounts that you make
Why am I Unable to Delete My Instagram Messages?
The main underlying reason why you can not delete/unsend messages on Instagram or why the software is showing an error is your network connection.
In 9 out of 10 cases because of network connectivity, Instagram is unable to delete messages. Other than that there is a possibility that there is a glitch in the app. To combat a glitch you can either troubleshoot the app or refresh or restart your device.
Does the Other Person know that You Have Deleted a Message?
No, unlike WhatsApp and Snapchat, Instagram does not send a notification to the recipient that you have sent a message.
The only exception to this is if the person has already read your messages through notifications without opening the app. However, even then they won’t be able to see that message in the Instagram app.