Instagram reaction emoji can be changed from inside a chat, not from your phone keyboard settings. The fastest fix depends on what you want to change: your saved Direct message reaction row, the double-tap emoji, one message reaction, or a Story reply.
Start with the Instagram mobile app for saved reaction changes. Use web only when you want to react to one message from a browser.
Change your Instagram quick reaction emoji
This fixes the emoji row that appears when you press and hold a Direct message. Open the Instagram app and go to your Direct inbox. Open any conversation, then press and hold a message until the reaction row appears.
Tap + to open the full reaction panel. Tap Customize next to Your reactions. Tap the reaction slot you want to replace, including the heart slot.
Choose the emoji you want to use instead. Tap the checkmark to save your updated reaction row.
Fix missing Customize
The most common cause is that you are not using the current full Instagram mobile app experience. Open the App Store on iPhone or iPad, search for Instagram, then tap Update or Get. On Android, open Google Play, search for Instagram, then tap Update or Install.
Open Instagram again and return to your Direct inbox. Press and hold a message inside a chat, then tap + and Customize. Use the regular Instagram mobile app for saved quick-reaction row changes, because Instagram does not document this customization for Instagram Lite or instagram.com.
Pick a different emoji for one message
Open Instagram and go to your Direct inbox. Open the conversation with the message you want to react to, then press and hold that message.
Choose a different emoji from the reaction row. Tap + to open more emoji, then select one from the larger picker. This changes only that message reaction, not your saved quick-reaction row.
Change the double tap heart reaction
Double-tapping a Direct message sends the current default quick reaction, commonly the heart. To replace that default, customize the heart slot in your Direct message reaction row from the mobile app.
Open any Instagram chat and press and hold a message. Tap +, then tap Customize next to Your reactions.
Tap the heart slot, choose a new emoji, then tap the checkmark. If this method fails, update the official Instagram app and try again from a Direct message on iPhone, iPad, or Android.
Replace a reaction you already sent
This applies when the wrong emoji is already sitting under a Direct message. Remove it first, then add the reaction you actually want.
Open the Instagram chat that contains the reaction. Tap your emoji reaction under the message to remove it. Press and hold the same message, then choose the new emoji from the row, or tap + to open more emoji.
Use a different reaction on Instagram web
Go to instagram.com in your browser. Click Messages on the left and open the conversation you want. Hover over the message.
Click the React button. Choose an emoji, or click + to find more emoji and select one. Instagram on the web changes reactions for individual messages, while saved quick-reaction row customization belongs in the mobile app.
Fix a wrong reaction on desktop
The most common cause is that the first emoji was sent to one message and needs to be removed before you choose another. Open instagram.com and click Messages on the left. Open the conversation with the message reaction you want to change.
Click your emoji reaction under the message to remove it. Hover over the message again, then click the React button and choose the new emoji.
Change an Instagram Story reaction
Instagram Story reactions are one-time replies to the Story creator's inbox. They do not change your saved Direct message reaction row or create a persistent Story quick-reaction setting.
Open the Story. Tap the Send message or reaction area, or swipe up. Choose one of the visible quick reaction emoji, or open the full emoji keyboard with the emoji or plus option.
Select the emoji you want to send as that Story reaction. If this method fails, the Story creator may not allow replies, so use Direct messages instead.
Skip older Update Messaging advice
Use the current Direct message reaction menu instead of old Messenger rollout settings.
- 1.Ignore old instructions that start with Profile, Menu, Settings and privacy, and Update Messaging.
- 2.Open a chat in the Instagram mobile app and press and hold a message.
- 3.Tap +, then tap Customize next to Your reactions.
- 4.Replace the emoji slot you want and tap the checkmark to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the Instagram reaction emoji from my phone settings?
No. Instagram reaction emoji are changed inside Instagram Direct messages, not through iOS or Android keyboard settings.
Can I customize Instagram reactions on a computer?
You can choose or replace a reaction on an individual message at instagram.com. Use the Instagram mobile app to customize the saved quick-reaction row.
Does changing the heart slot change double tap on Instagram?
Yes. Replacing the heart slot changes the emoji used for the default double-tap reaction in Direct messages.
Can I change the preset quick reactions for Instagram Stories?
No current official setting changes the preset Story quick-reaction tray. You can send a different Story reaction one time from the Story reaction area.