Here’s how to send a DM on Twitter via the app and on the web

Did you know that Twitter lets users talk privately with other people? The personal chat features on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are prominent, but not many people know that Twitter allows DMs (direct messages) as well.

DMs are social media messages you can send to almost anyone — even your favorite celebrity or content creator.

Although some people use DMs to try to strike up a chat with a movie star, most of us like this feature for a different reason: it allows us to send messages or forward content to our friends and family. Social media is just one more place where we can continue conversations with the people closest to us.

So now that you know you can send a DM on Twitter – one of the quippiest, fastest-moving social media networks – learn how to send one. In fact, if you want to react to Tweets in real-time with your friends, you can via DM.

How to send a private Twitter message on the web

Follow this step-by-step guide to DM someone using Twitter’s web version.

1. Open the Twitter web application, and log in to your Twitter account.
2. Click Messages from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.
3. Tap the blue “New message” button.
4. Search for the user you want to message.
5. Click “Next” in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
6. Send your direct message.

How to send a Twitter DM on mobile (iOS and Android)

Option 1

1. Open the Twitter mobile application on an iPhone or Android-compatible phone.
2. Search the user’s Twitter handle you’d like to message.
3. Click the messages icon (the envelope) on the right side of their profile picture.
4. Type your message, then tap send.

Option 2

1. Open the Twitter app.
2. Tap the envelope icon on the lower left-hand side of the screen, and click it again within your messages screen to start a new chat.
3. Search for the user you’d like to message.
4. Type your message, then tap send.

Twitter DM FAQs

We hope these how to DM basics help you directly chat with someone. But, if you still have questions about how this feature works, here are answers to FAQs regarding Twitter DM settings and preferences.

How can I delete a DM I sent?

Always think before you send a Twitter DM because once you click send, there’s no turning back. While you can delete messages for all users in a chat on certain apps, you can’t do so on this platform. So before you shower love messages on a celebrity crush, think about it. You won’t be able to unsend DMs. That said, you can delete messages on your end of a chat by simply clicking on the message and tapping “Delete.”

How can I start a group chat on Twitter?

Add more friends to the fun by starting a group chat.

1. Open the Twitter mobile application.
2. Tap the envelope icon on the lower left-hand side of the screen, and click it again within your messages screen to start a new chat.
3. Search for the first user you want to message and add them. Then, repeat the process to add more users.
4. Type your message to the group, and tap the send icon.

You can change the following settings and make the group chat a bit more personalized. Tap on the information icon to tweak these features:

• Edit group name
• Upload new photo
• View photo
• Remove photo

How can I take a break from messages?

If you need a social media hiatus, turn off your Twitter DM notifications and take a step back from your chats using the following steps:

1. Find the conversation you wish to snooze.
2. Open the message settings.
3. Tap the information icon.
4. Select “Snooze notifications.”
5. From the pop-up menu, select the snooze duration: one hour, eight hours, one week or forever.
6. When you’re ready to return, unsnooze the conversation by hitting the information icon and deselecting the “Snooze notifications” option.

Can I report an inappropriate message?

Sometimes, Twitter users reach out with kind words or support for your business, project or content. But, if someone hits you up with an inappropriate or offensive message, report this contact and prevent it from happening again. From your mobile device:

1. Locate the DM you’d like to report, then tap and hold the message.
2. From the pop-up menu, select “Report message.”
3. If you choose the “It’s abusive or harmful” option, you'll have to provide more information.
4. Select the most appropriate of the six options, and tap “Submit.”

How can I review my DM requests?

Unless you’ve enabled the “Receive messages from anyone setting,” you shouldn’t have to worry about getting DMs from people you don’t know. That said, if you’re open to conversations with unknown users, keep an eye on your DM requests in the Messages tab. There, choose to “Delete” or “Accept” a new message. In the latter, start chatting with the user, and the message will move to your inbox. Since you can’t undo this step, be sure you’re comfortable with the setting. If you wish to stop contact, block or report the user.

Can I turn off my read receipts?

If you’re all about privacy on your social media’s “comings and goings,” Twitter allows you to turn off read receipts. When you do so, people you’re chatting with won’t know if you've read their messages yet.

On mobile:

1. Tap your profile icon.
2. Select “Settings and Support.”
3. Click “Settings and privacy.”
4. Tap “Privacy and safety.”
5. Select “Direct Messages” and toggle off “Show read receipts.”

On desktop:

1. Tap “More” on the toolbar.
2. Click “Settings and Support.”
3. Select “Settings and privacy.”
4. Tap “Privacy and safety.”
5. Click “Direct Messages” and toggle off “Show read receipts.”

Do DMs help business accounts?

Business account holders can leverage Twitter DMs to interact with customers, answer their queries and invite potential customers to turn into buyers. Always track your inbox to check customer reviews – sometimes, buyers leave positive comments for your products, serving as testimonials for your brand. DMs enable start-ups to collaborate with other brands to lure more customers.

Wrapping up

Twitter is much more than just news and memes. Whether you have an individual or business account, sending and receiving DMs is easy. Follow these steps mentioned above, and start chatting with friends, family and even your beloved celebrities (we hope they read and respond).