Instagram is upgrading its direct messages, also known as DMs, with a handful of new features that make its messaging system more competitive with alternatives, like Apple’s iMessage and other third-party apps. On Wednesday, Instagram users globally will gain access to tools to translate messages across 99 languages, tools to schedule and pin messages to their chats, music-sharing features, and more.
Notes Instagram, the new features will be initially available to both iOS and Android users, as web access will not arrive until later.
The music-sharing addition could particularly appeal to younger users who often discover new music through social apps like Instagram and TikTok. To access the feature, you’ll tap on the sticker button in the chat composer screen then tap on “Music.” You’ll then be able to search for music and share a 30-second preview of any song in Instagram’s music library through group chats or a broadcast channel.
In addition to sharing music between friends, the option could help artists reach their fans through their social media following. Instagram will publicly launch the music-sharing feature with JENNIE and Doechii, who will test sharing in their Instagram broadcast channels.
Other new tools will make it easier for people to use Instagram DMs as their main chat app, including an option to translate messages sent or received in another language. At launch, 99 different languages are supported.
There’s also now a way to pin a message, image, meme, or reel to the top of your chat by holding down on the message and tapping on “Pin.” This could be handy for keeping frequently needed information within easy reach, or it could just be used for fun. (You can undo the pinning by tapping on the message again and choosing “Unpin.” )
The company says you can pin up to three messages per conversation.
Catching up with Apple’s iMessage, which added message scheduling with the iOS 18 release, Instagram will also now let its users schedule messages by long-pressing (holding down) the “send” button. From here, you’ll be able to select the date and time your message should be sent. Messages can be scheduled up to 29 days in advance.
One final addition is the open to invite friends to a group chat by sending them a QR code. From the invite link in a chat, you can choose the new “QR Code” option to send the invite. This can be shared live, through the built-in share sheet, or it can be saved as an image to your Camera Roll for later use.
