How to check message requests on Twitter and Instagram
Did you know that on Twitter and Instagram, you have message requests in addition to your regular message inbox? I’ve already published a post about how to check Facebook filtered messages and message requests, but if you’re regularly entering competitions, you need to be checking these inboxes on Twitter and Instagram too – just in case there’s a winning notification hiding there!
Checking Message Requests on Twitter
If you’re entering competitions on Twitter you should ensure that your privacy settings allow anyone to message you – otherwise you can only receive messages from accounts you follow!
To do this on the Twitter app, swipe across to the right on your Twitter Home feed. Then choose Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety and ensure Allow message requests from everyone is switched ON (green). Or go to https://twitter.com/settings/safety in a browser.
To view your message requests, tap the envelope icon to go to your inbox. Simply tap on Message Requests at the top to see messages from people you don’t follow (if you don’t see this option on the screen, you don’t have any requests). You can Accept or Delete a message request.
Checking Message Requests on Instagram
To check your Instagram inbox (also known as Instagram Direct), tap the paper plane icon at the top of the screen. If you have a new message, you’ll see a red number instead of a plane.
Instagram puts messages from accounts you don’t interact with into a Message Requests folder – but you won’t see a dot for a message request, so you do need to check regularly!
If you have message requests, you’ll see a small Messages notifcation under the search bar at the top of your screen (see screenshots below) – tap this to show the messages. Tap a message request to read it, and you can choose to Allow or Decline it.
Sometimes you might have a Message request showing, but it doesn’t appear when you tap to see it. In this case, try opening www.instagram.com and checking your inbox there – a common issue is that you’ve been added to a group.
And there you have it – be sure to check your message requests regularly in case you find something exciting there!
no help for computer users
For Instagram, go to https://www.instagram.com/direct/requests/ – for Twitter, go to https://twitter.com/messages/requests
None of this is working, I see a notification I have a message request but cannot access it in any way.
I figured it out, it was a reaction to a message that wasn’t cleared until I checked it via the app on my phone.
This is so clear, easy to follow and helpful Di. Thank you for all the time and effort that you put into sharing this information.
On twitter 3rd photo, you have ‘inbox’ and requests, I don’t – how do I get this to appear/show please?
It looks like I need to update the screenshots again as Twitter has updated since I posted these! If you have a Message Request, you will see an envelope and icon at the top of your inbox screen – if you have no message requests, you won’t see it. Hope that helps – I’ll edit a new photo in later!
I turned my twitter one off. It was attracting weirdos – much worse on IG private a/cs with unsavoury avartar photo – certainly not comp related!
omg that was so helpful and fingers crossed I can keep an eye on my facebook twitter and instagram