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How to Delete Instagram Messages From Both Sides

Are you wondering whether you can delete Instagram DMs (direct messages) from both sides?

The answer is yes—you can delete Instagram direct messages from both sides, and the solution is very simple.

You might have sent something by accident or inappropriate and you want to delete it from both sides.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to delete Instagram messages from both sides.

How to Delete Instagram Messages From Both Sides

Delete Instagram messages from both sides

To delete Instagram messages from both sides, hold down the message that you want to delete and tap on “Unsend”.

After you’ve tapped on “Unsend”, the message will be deleted for both you and the person.

In other words, you and the person will not be able to see the message anymore.

Here’s how to delete an Instagram message from both sides:

  1. Open your direct message.
  2. Tap and hold the message for 3 seconds.
  3. Tap on “Unsend” to delete the message from both sides.

Do note that the “Unsend” feature only works if you’re trying to delete your own message.

If you’re looking to delete the other person’s message, you cannot do so.

The only way you can delete the person’s message is to go to your message list, swipe left, and tap on “Delete”.

This will delete your conversation with another person on your end.

However, the person that you messaged will still have the messages as they will not be deleted on their end.

Read on for more frequently asked questions about Instagram direct messages that you might be interested in knowing.

What happens if I send and unsend an Instagram message?

If you send and unsend a message, the person will be able to see the notification on their screen for a second.

After you’ve unsent the message, the notification will automatically be deleted.

This means that the person will know that you sent them a direct message via their notifications as long as you didn’t unsend it.

Once you tapped on “Unsend”, the notification will be deleted and they can no longer find it.

That being said, the person will only be able to know that you’ve sent them a direct message if they are using the Instagram app while you sent and unsent the message.

They will also be able to know that you’ve sent them a direct message if they turned on their notifications.

However, if they are not using Instagram at the time that you sent and unsent the direct message, then they will not be able to know that you unsent the message.

When you delete a DM on Instagram does it delete for the other person?

Yes, when you delete a DM on Instagram, the message will also be deleted for the other person.

However, the message needs to be sent by you and not the other person.

You cannot delete someone else’s Instagram message.

The “Unsend” feature is helpful if you’ve accidentally sent something inappropriate to someone and you want to delete it.

Can the other person delete Instagram messages?

No, the other person can only delete their own Instagram messages.

They cannot delete the messages that you’ve sent to them.

However, the person can delete the whole conversation.

But if they delete the whole conversation, you will be still able to see the messages that you’ve sent them.

Does blocking on Instagram delete messages?

Instagram block

No, blocking someone on Instagram does not delete their messages or your messages.

When you block someone on Instagram, they won’t be able to see your profile but they will still be able to see the direct messages that you’ve sent them.

It also prevents the person from sending you a direct message.

If you want to delete your conversation, you need to either unsend all of your messages or turn on vanish mode.

Turning on vanish mode will hide all of you and the person’s messages until you decide to turn it off.

Does deleting the Instagram app delete messages?

No, deleting the Instagram app will not delete your direct messages with people.

Your messages will be retained if you decide to delete Instagram.

Deleting the Instagram app will delete its cache and data, but it will not delete your Instagram account.

All your likes, comments, direct messages, your followers, and whoever you’re following will not be deleted as well.

If you decide to install Instagram again, all of your messages will still be there.

How long do Instagram direct messages last?

Instagram photo message

Instagram direct messages will last forever unless you set a photo/video message to “View Once” or “Allow Replay”.

The “View Once” feature allows the person to view your photo/video message once before it’s deleted.

On the other hand, the “Allow Replay” feature allows the person to view your photo/video message twice before it’s deleted.

Instagram direct messages will last forever and will not be automatically deleted.

On the other hand, Instagram photo/video messages will disappear after one or two view(s), or kept in chat depending on its settings.

Unlike Snapchat, whenever you send a direct message, the message will not be automatically deleted.

However, if you’re sending a photo or a video, you can set it to “View Once” or “Allow Replay” which means that the person can only view the photo/video once or twice respectively.

Conclusion

In this article, you’ve learned how to delete Instagram messages from both sides, and common questions about Instagram direct messages.

To recap, here are the learning points:

  • Tap and hold your direct message and tap on “Unsend” to delete your Instagram message from both sides.
  • If you send and unsend a message to someone, both the message and the message notification will be deleted.
  • The person will be notified for a split-second if you send and immediately unsend a message if they are using the app.
  • Delete = Unsend. If you happen to unsend a DM on Instagram, the message is deleted for the other person as well.
  • The other person can delete their own Instagram messages.
  • Blocking someone on Instagram does not delete messages.
  • Your messages will not be deleted if you delete Instagram.
  • Instagram direct messages will last forever and will not be automatically deleted.

Further Reading

Why Can’t I Upload Video to Instagram Stories? (How to Fix)

How to Fix Suspicious Login Attempt on Instagram

9 Ways to Get More Views on IGTV (That Actually Work)

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About the author

Lim How Wei

Lim How Wei is the founder of followchain.org, with 8+ years of experience in Social Media Marketing and 4+ years of experience as an active investor in stocks and cryptocurrencies. He has researched, tested, and written thousands of articles ranging from social media platforms to messaging apps.

Lim has been quoted and referenced by major publications and media companies like WikiHow, Fast Company, HuffPost, Vice, New York Post, The Conversation, and many others. One of his articles about the gig economy was quoted by Joe Rogan who hosts The Joe Rogan Experience (arguably the most popular podcast in the world), in the This Past Weekend podcast by Theo Von.

In his free time, Lim plays multiple games like Genshin Impact, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Hearthstone, RuneScape, and many others. He creates guides, walkthroughs, solutions, and more on games that he plays to help other players with their progression.