Can You Mark Instagram Direct Messages as Unread? Tips and Tricks

Instagram's direct messaging (DMs) system is designed to notify both senders and recipients as soon as a message is read. As of the latest updates, Instagram does not provide a direct option to mark a DM as unread. However, there are some workarounds and alternative methods to manage your conversations effectively. This article will explore these methods and provide step-by-step guides to help you unmark or simulate unread messages on Instagram.

Understanding Instagram's DM Read Status

Instagram's default behavior is to set a message as read once it is opened. This means that once a recipient views the message, it can no longer be marked as unread by either the sender or the recipient. However, if you need to make a message appear unread, there are certain techniques you can use that involve additional steps.

Unsending a Message to Simulate Unread Status

Can you mark an Instagram DM as unread? Yes, but indirectly. One common workaround is to unsend the message. When you unsend a message, it is removed from both your chat and the recipient's chat. However, if the recipient has already seen the message, they will still receive a notification saying that the message is no longer available.

Steps to Unsend a Message

Go to the inbox. Choose either Primary or General messages. Select the chat you want to modify. Press or hold the chat for a few seconds. A menu will appear. Select Mark as unread. The selected message will now be marked as unread.

Unmarking Seen Notifications with Blocking

Another method involves blocking the sender, which will remove your viewed notifications from their "viewer's list." This technique is particularly useful for removing seen notifications from Instagram stories, although it can also be applied to direct messages in some cases.

How to Unsee Someone's Story After Viewing it

Open Instagram and go to the stories section. Find and open the story you have just watched. Tap the profile icon in the top left corner of your phone screen. After opening the profile, tap the three dot icon in the top right corner of your phone screen. Select Block.

Remember: Blocking a profile can seem extreme, but it is a necessary step if you want to unsee viewed notifications. Once you block the profile, your viewed notifications will be automatically removed from their "viewer's list." You can unblock the person anytime, but it is suggested to unblock after 24 hours so that their story expires automatically.

Conclusion

While Instagram lacks a direct feature to mark messages as unread, there are creative solutions to manage your notifications more effectively. Whether you use the unsending method or blocking, these techniques can help you maintain control over your communication on Instagram.