Do you often find your Instagram message box filled with unwanted DMs? In this case, turning off Instagram messages is best to avoid texts from sneaky strangers. But unfortunately, Instagram does not offer a direct way to turn off DMs. But don’t worry! Here, I will share workarounds on how to turn off Direct Messages (DMs) on Instagram on your iPhone.
1. Mute Instagram DMs on iPhone
Let’s begin with the simplest method – straight from the DM section.
- Launch Instagram on your iPhone → Tap the Messenger icon at the top right.
You can also just swipe left from the home screen. - Swipe right on the contact you want to mute → Select More.
- Pick Mute → Choose Mute messages.
- Select your desired time frame.
You can choose from 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, and Until I change it.
That’s it! It doesn’t get simpler than that. However, there are many other locations on the app from where you can perform the same action. To learn about them, keep reading.
2. Disable direct message requests on Instagram
By default, any new message from a stranger arrives in the Instagram Message requests tab. Luckily, you can disable message requests and control who can send you messages.
- Launch Instagram → Tap the profile icon.
- Select the hamburger menu → Go to Settings and privacy.
- Tap Messages and story replies → Select Message controls.
- Tap Your followers on Instagram → Select Don’t receive requests.
- Now, to turn off messaging from other people, go back to the previous menu.
- Tap Others on Instagram → Select Don’t receive requests.
- Similarly, tap People on Facebook → then Do not receive requests to limit messages from Facebook users.
3. Turn off Instagram DM notifications on your iPhone
Turning off notifications for incoming messages is also a feasible option to keep disturbing message requests at bay. To put Instagram direct messages off by disabling notifications, follow the steps given here:
- Launch Instagram → Click the profile icon → Tap the hamburger menu.
- Tap Settings and privacy → Notifications.
- Toggle on Pause All → Choose the temporary time slot of your choice to stop all push notifications from Instagram.
- To limit message notifications only, click Messages.
- Choose Off for all the features listed.
4. Restrict Instagram accounts to turn off DMs
When you restrict an Instagram account, any new message from the account goes to the message requests folder instead of the regular chat thread. So you will not get any notifications from them.
- Go to the Instagram messaging section.
- Tap the chat thread of the person you want to restrict.
- Select their name.
- Tap Options → Restrict.
- Lastly, tap Restrict Account in the popup.
5. Switch to Private account
A private account on Instagram makes your posts visible only to your followers. Also, it can help to turn off Instagram messages from strangers. Here’s a quick way to make your public account private on Instagram.
- Tap the profile icon on Instagram → the hamburger menu.
- Select Settings and privacy → Account privacy.
- Toggle on Private Account → Tap Switch to Private.
6. Disable Instagram Story DMs
When someone comments on your story, the responses go to your Instagram DM. You can disable message replies on Instagram stories with these simple steps:
- Go to the profile icon → Tap the hamburger menu → Settings and privacy.
- Go to Messages and story replies → Story replies.
- Choose Don’t allow story replies.
7. Block user on Instagram
Blocking is your final resort to stop getting messages from someone. To block an Instagram user, you must follow the given below steps:
- Go to the Instagram chat section.
- Tap the name of the person you want to block.
- Next, select their name.
- Tap Options → Block.
- Pick either of the options appearing on the popup.
- Tap Block.
Read our guide on how to block someone in Instagram on iPhone to learn about more ways to block a user on Instagram.
No, there is no option to turn off read receipts on Instagram. But you can go offline and switch on airplane mode to read the messages without sending read receipts.
No, blocking a person on Instagram will not delete DMs.
Wrapping up
Instagram is one of the most popular picture-sharing apps. But it can sometimes bother you with messages from strangers. So, why not remove these messages before they start troubling you? I hope this guide will help you turn off Direct Messages (DMs) on Instagram on your iPhone.
Let me know in the comments section which tips and tricks helped you.
Read more:
- How to Remove Instagram Phantom Notifications on iPhone
- How to hide Instagram Stories from someone on iPhone
- How to remove followers on Instagram: 2 Ways Explained
- How to download Reels in Instagram on iPhone
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