Deleting Instagram messages depends on what you want gone. You can remove a message you sent for everyone, clear a chat from your own inbox, or hide individual messages from your side only. Here are the current Instagram controls that actually handle each job.
Unsend a message for everyone
Use this when you want to remove one message you sent from the chat for everyone.
- 1.Tap Messages at the bottom of Instagram.
- 2.Open the conversation with the message you want to remove.
- 3.Find the message you sent.
- 4.Tap and hold the message.
- 5.Tap Unsend.
Delete a chat from your inbox
Deleting a chat clears the conversation from your inbox. It does not remove the chat from anyone else's inbox.
In the Instagram app, tap Messages at the bottom. Tap and hold the conversation you want to remove.
Tap Delete, then tap Delete again to confirm. The conversation disappears from your inbox view only.
Remove one message just for you
This method applies when you want to hide one sent or received message from your own chat view. It does not delete the message for other people in the conversation.
Open the conversation that contains the message.
Tap and hold the sent or received message you want to remove.
Tap Delete for you.
Instagram removes that message from your side of the chat only.
Choose the right delete option
The most common cause is using Delete on a whole conversation when you meant to use Unsend on a message you sent.
Delete removes a conversation from your inbox only.
Delete for you removes selected sent or received messages from your own chat view only.
Unsend removes a message you sent from the chat for everyone.
Use Instagram in a browser
You can also manage Instagram messages from Instagram.com. The same basic options exist, but the controls are in different spots.
To unsend a message, open Messages, choose the conversation, and go to the message you sent. Tap the message, tap Options next to it, then tap Unsend.
To delete a whole chat, open Messages and select the conversation. Tap the control in the top right of the chat, choose Delete chat, then tap Delete to confirm.
Clear multiple messages from your view
Open the conversation that has the messages you want to remove.
Tap and hold a sent or received message.
Tap Delete for you.
Tap Select next to each message you want to remove from your view.
Tap Delete for you at the bottom, then confirm your choice.
Use Unsend instead when you need to remove your own sent message for everyone.
Handle message requests
This fixes clutter from people you have not accepted into your inbox yet.
Tap Requests at the top of your messages.
Open the message request you want to handle.
Tap Delete to remove it.
Tap Accept if you want to continue the conversation.
Tap Delete all at the bottom of the message request inbox when you want to clear every request at once.
Send disappearing content next time
This method applies before you send something. It helps with future chats, not old messages already sitting in a conversation.
For vanish mode in a supported one-to-one chat, open the chat.
Swipe up to turn on vanish mode.
Swipe up again to turn it off.
For a disappearing photo or video, use the chat camera or photo flow.
Choose View Once or Allow Replay. Avoid Keep in Chat when the goal is for the photo or video to disappear.
Report abusive messages
Reporting is for abusive or policy-breaking content. It is not a delete button you control.
Open the conversation in the Instagram app. Tap and hold the individual message, tap Report, and choose the reason for the report.
For vanish-mode content, open the chat, tap and hold the message, and tap Report.
If this does not solve the practical cleanup problem, use Delete, Delete for you, or Unsend based on what you need removed. Skip bulk-delete browser scripts; Instagram does not offer an official bulk-delete tool for DMs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete an Instagram message for both people?
Yes, if it is a message you sent. Open the conversation, press and hold your message, then choose Unsend.
Does deleting an Instagram chat delete it for the other person?
No. Deleting a chat removes it from your inbox only. Other people can still have the conversation in their inboxes.
Can I delete Instagram messages I received?
You can remove sent or received messages from your own chat view with Delete for you. That action does not remove the message for other participants.
Can I make old Instagram messages disappear with vanish mode?
No. Vanish mode applies to future vanish-mode messages in supported chats, not old messages that are already in the conversation.
Is there an official way to bulk delete Instagram DMs?
No. Instagram's supported options are manual Unsend, Delete for you, and Delete chat actions.