Instagram Direct Messages are on the brink of a big makeover. On Wednesday, Facebook announced plans to essentially integrate Instagram DMs and Facebook Messenger, allowing users to communicate across the separate apps if they so please. Simply put, a Facebook Messenger user will soon be able to chat with someone on Instagram without needing to download the Instagram app, and vice versa. Users will have control over whether they want to receive such cross-platform messages. The update will also bring a handful of new Messenger-inspired features to Instagram DMs, including selfie stickers, vanish mode, Watch Together, personalized chat colors, and custom emoji reactions, in addition to enhanced privacy tools.
It's unclear exactly when the upgraded experience will become available in the US, but Facebook said in a blog post that it's starting to roll it out in "a few countries around the world," with plans to "expand globally soon." Keep reading ahead to take a closer look at some of the forthcoming updates.
When the update is available to you, you'll be presented with this pop-up message on Instagram allowing you to either opt in or out.
You can personalize your messages with custom colors and themes, such as "pride," "love," and "tie-dye."
Instead of just reacting with a plain ol' red heart emoji, you can create a shortcut that lets you react with any other emoji of your choice.
Transform your selfie into an emoji-inspired sticker to use within conversations.
As the name suggests, vanish mode makes messages automatically disappear after they're read or once you close the chat.
Watch Together allows you to tune into videos with family and friends during a video call. This includes IGTV, Facebook Watch, TV shows, movies, and, soon, Reels.
You have control over who can message you directly, how those messages are sorted, and who cannot communicate with you at all.
You can now report full conversations that you may find inappropriate or unwanted, in addition to the previous option to report single messages or users.
If you add your accounts to the new Accounts Center, Instagram and Facebook will proactively suggest accounts to block based on who you've blocked in the past on the other app.