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Why Can’t I Reply to Messages on Instagram?

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Plixi Team

Apr 09, 2024 11 min read

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Direct messages on Instagram provide an additional communication channel with our favorite people. This technology lets us communicate with individuals we may never meet in person. Famous people and the most recognizable companies are as accessible to us as our nearest and dearest friends and relatives. What would you do if one day you received a message from a contact on your wish list? Avoid the frustration of wondering, “Why can’t I reply to messages on Instagram?” by taking precautions now. Educate yourself on everything there is to know about DMs.

There are more uses for Instagram direct messages besides spreading jokes and gossiping about someone else’s most recent reel. It is a frequent location for professional gatherings as well. Every day, people are shooting shots with big brands for collaborations. They are tagging brands in stories and starting a conversation.

You’ll be able to make the most of this app after you get the hang of using this function. If you use our development strategies, you will be bombarded with direct message notifications throughout the day. Your social media experts will help you regulate them with these tips.

Why Can’t I Reply to Messages on Instagram?

What Is a Direct Message?

First, let’s cover the basics and define the term “direct message” on Instagram. You’ve heard that “it goes down in the DMs,” but you aren’t sure where it is. Every day, there is so much controversy involving the DMs. What are they, and are they all bad?

The texting function on Instagram is the “Direct Message.” It is a private way to communicate with other Instagram users. Unlike the comment section, these messages exist only for each user. When you think about it, every other app has a private messaging feature. Instagram developed the “direct messages” tab, often known as your message inbox. If you’re wondering why you should use DMs on Insta, here are two main reasons:

Have Private Conversations

IG keeps refining the DM feature. Now, there are a plethora of unique options available in direct messaging. At its most basic level, you can send a message to someone to have a private chat with them. You can rest assured Instagram keeps this private. The messages are private even when you share public content like reels and stories from another user. You can also create a group chat where messages stay between all the users.

Share More Than Text

These messages are not just limited to text messages. Now, you can share voice notes, photos, videos, Reels, and Stories. You can even make voice and video calls with this app. See how simple it is to engage in conversation with your friends and family? You don’t need to talk about IG content on other platforms. You can do just about anything in the direct messages of Instagram.

I’m Missing Out! Why Can’t I React to Instagram Messages With Emojis

Instagram stepped up its game when it allowed users to react to direct messages. This new feature came in several years ago, and communication on IG hasn’t been the same since. Still, some people ask, “Why can’t I react to Instagram messages with emojis?” Are you one of those people who are asking this? Well, we can help you out there.

There isn’t anything to it. If you’re on the phone, you should be able to do it with ease. As you know, IG optimized the app for cell phone usage. It’s as quick as a double tap. With that, you react to a message in your DMs. Are you saying that you still can’t react to the DMs of your followers? Well, we can’t have that. There could be several reasons for that. Let’s discuss them.

You Have To Double Tap Quickly

By “double tap,” we mean two quick successive taps. You may not be double-tapping rapidly enough. Try increasing your speed. You can’t have even a little wait between the taps. The app won’t register it as a double tap. Instead, you could try clicking swiftly or double-tapping as fast as possible.

Check Your Operating System

Have you upgraded the app to the most recent version? If not, it’s no wonder you can’t react the way you would like. What’s worse is that you might be using an older version of iOS or Android as well. If you aren’t, the response function definitely won’t be available to you. Take this as your sign to upgrade your messaging capabilities. You’ll enjoy using the app more overall.

Internet Connection Matters

The problem may not be you but your internet connection. If your internet isn’t working properly, the app won’t execute the task naturally. While it’s not a message per se, emoji reactions still need the internet to work. We want you to get the most out of the application. It will affect the areas of use on the app. Get a reliable connection to the internet.

How To Reply to a Message on Instagram With Emojis

For the sake of engagement, you should learn how to reply to a message on Instagram. Better yet, elevate your DM game with some emojis. Let your followers know you’re interested in what they say. Emojis somehow come off as a lot more playful. You can show commitment to a conversation when you mix emojis with text.

Why can’t I react to messages on Instagram with a little more flair? Well, you can do that with a little emoji assistance. In no particular order, we will give you the steps on either Apple or Android.

Reply to Messages on IG With an Apple Device

First of all, make sure that you are using the latest iOS (aka mobile operating systems) to have the most emojis possible. iPhones are great and all, but they are subject to iOS limits.

  1. Launch the Instagram app on your iPhone.
  2. Go to your Instagram feed and navigate to the Direct Messages section of the app.
  3. Find the chat that you want to experiment on. Ensure it’s a safe space since you may want to play around with the feature.
  4. You can respond by tapping and holding the Direct Message you want to react to on Instagram. 
  5. The emoji reactions will now be on the screen. These are your top 6 reactions. Don’t worry. If they don’t represent you, you can always change them.
  6. To give a response to the message, tap the emoji that best fits the situation. Your choice emoji appears below the message you responded to.
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Reply to Messages on IG With an Android Device

Lots of Android users are Instagram influencers. Instagram’s best features are at their fingertips. You don’t need to ask, “Why can’t I react to messages on Instagram?” We’ll show you what you need to do. 

  1. Ensure you are working with the most recent iOS. Launch IG on the Android device you’re using. 
  2. Choose the chat with the message that you want to react to. 
  3. Tapping the desired message will allow you to respond to it.
  4. At this point, you’ll see various emojis pop up on the screen.
  5. Tap the appropriate emoji that best represents how you feel. Your selected Emoji will appear beneath the DM.

How To Respond to a Specific Message on Instagram

Have you ever spoken to a person who had a lot to say? They may say something very important and then rush on to say something else. While they continue to offer information, you’re still stuck on that last thing they said. You have to reply before you move on. If you’re asking, “Why can’t I reply to a specific message on Instagram?” we have news for you. You can choose the message you want to reply to. Just follow these steps:

  1. Open the Instagram app on your phone.
  2. Go to the top right corner of the screen and access your direct messages.
  3. Find the chat with the message that you want to reply to.
  4. You may reply to a message by tapping and holding on to the message you wish to react to.
  5. You’ll see several options pop up. This includes potential emojis.
  6. Tap the “Reply” option that you see. 
  7. IG will quote the message and allow you to reply to it specifically.
  8. After entering your message, select “Send.”
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This Is How To Respond to Specific Messages on a Desktop

You’re not always on your phone when you want to reply to a specific message. Sometimes, you’re on your desktop. Follow these instructions to respond to a specific message on Instagram using your desktop computer:

  1. Open your web browser and go to the Instagram website.
  2. Enter your login details. If you’ve already signed in on the laptop before, IG won’t ask you again.
  3. Tap the Direct Message button in the top right-hand corner of the screen. You’ll see all your most recent chats lined off vertically.
  4. If the message is new, you’ll see a blue dot. Open a chat by clicking on the profile picture. The entire dialogue between that person or members of the group is not on the right of the screen.
  5. Instead of tapping the message, move your mouse over the message you wish to reply to. 
  6. You’ll see three different options appear. These are the emoji symbol, the reply icon, and the three dots.
  7. To respond to a message, select the “reply” button. Of course, this is an emoji that looks like an arrow. 
  8. IG will now quote this message.
  9. After you have finished composing your message, you have two options. You can either hit the “enter” key on your keyboard or click the “Send” button. IG will even tell you that, “You replied.” This way, you know you responded to the intended message.

You Can Maintain Healthy Business Practices With Emoji Reactions

Now, you have everything you need to respond to messages on Instagram! No more asking,” Why can’t I reply to a specific message on Instagram?” We gave you all the possible reasons it was difficult to do before. What is it that is stopping you now? 

You can do it from anywhere. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes like second nature. You could be doing something that isn’t too active. Respond to some direct message notifications. You could be getting your hair cut at the barber or getting your nails done at the salon. It’s convenient to do. We can picture your engagement rate going up already. As your page grows, you can make sure followers feel seen.

If you’re an Instagram business, you don’t want communication to fall off. Make sure that you respond to customers, or they will stop speaking to you. Your company’s communication practices must always be appropriate, too. DMs tend to give people the impression of casual correspondence. Adjust the correspondence to the audience. You have a wide range of emojis. You don’t have to stick to the default heart emoji.

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Why Can’t I Reply to Messages on Instagram After All This Growth?

Thanks to our social media experts, you have the lowdown on Instagram DMs. Once you get the hang of these messaging features, you’ll want to do this all the time. The incorporation of Instagram’s cross-platform messaging update meant the expansion of the conversation capability offered by Instagram. High-quality communication is a great way to set your brand apart from similar IG accounts.

Plixi’s skilled social media team has been hard at work over the past ten years experimenting with growth tactics. They’ve developed their artificial intelligence targeting algorithm for the task at hand. Additionally, there is an internal platform for Instagram influencers.

You have bigger concerns than asking, “Why can’t I reply to messages on Instagram?” Begin expanding your Instagram audience and collecting followers right away. With our targeted methods, we can attract organic IG followers. They will be genuinely engaged in what you have to offer. If you follow our advice, you’ll be able to cultivate a strong community on IG. Start rapidly boosting the number of followers you have on Instagram.

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