How to open Instagram straight to your DMs on iPhone, without the feed (2026)

Tap a message notification

Apple's guide says that tapping a notification opens the app it came from. For an Instagram message, that is the chat itself: Dexerto's guide describes reaching a chat by tapping the notification for a new message. It is the most reliable shortcut, but it only works when someone has written to you, and when you leave the chat you are back in the usual app with the feed and Reels.

Touch and hold the Instagram icon

On the Home Screen, touching and holding an app opens its Quick Actions menu, and each app decides what goes in it (Apple's examples are Camera and Maps). We couldn't find a list of Instagram's quick actions in Instagram's help, and older articles disagree: VentureBeat reported a direct message shortcut in 2015, while a Gadget Hacks guide lists Switch Accounts, Camera, New Post and View Activity, with no messages item. Touch and hold the icon on your own iPhone and look. If a messages item is there, it is the quickest way in; if not, this trick doesn't apply. If you hold too long, the icons start to jiggle, so let go a little sooner and try again.

Reply from the Lock Screen

Apple's guide says that touching and holding a notification shows it with quick actions, if the app offers them. Whether Instagram puts a reply box there, we couldn't confirm in Instagram's help or Apple's guide. Try it on the next DM notification: if a reply option appears, you can answer without opening the app. If not, tapping the notification opens the chat.

Get notifications only for messages

Instagram has no single messages-only switch. Go to your profile › Menu › Notifications, and below Pause push notifications open each kind of notification that isn't about messages and turn it off. Leave messages on. Then the alerts you tap are DMs, and the first shortcut does more of the work. The full steps and the iPhone side are on Instagram notifications for messages only.

Open Instagram with only DMs in minulo

1. Install minulo, open Instagram inside minulo and sign in on Instagram's own login page. minulo does not receive or store your password.
2. Tap the gear next to Instagram and turn on Every tab but DMs. Reels, Explore, the home feed and suggested posts are hidden; DMs and the notifications tab stay.
3. Optional: in the Block tab, lock the official Instagram app with Screen Time, free for up to 2 hours per block. Tapping the usual icon then shows a block screen, and Open in minulo takes you to your DMs.

Group chats work, because they are part of Instagram DMs. Posting Stories, voice messages and calls don't, because Instagram's website doesn't have them; Take a break opens the official app for the minutes you choose. minulo Pro adds schedules by day and time, longer blocks, Hard Mode and multiple block lists.

Notifications come from the official Instagram app. If you leave it unlocked, they arrive as usual and you can reply in minulo.

Limits, so you can decide honestly: minulo can't change the official apps, so Reels and Shorts are hidden only inside minulo. While minulo blocks an official app, that app's notifications don't arrive, and minulo sends none of its own. Posting Stories, voice messages and calls aren't available, because the web versions of these networks don't have them. minulo runs on iPhone and Mac (plus Chrome and Safari extensions), not Android, and it is new, with few ratings. See what minulo can't do.

Can I make Instagram open straight to my DMs?

Yes, with minulo: its free Every tab but DMs setting opens Instagram with only DMs and the notifications tab left. Instagram itself has no such setting. Tapping a message notification also opens that chat, but the feed and Reels are still in the app.

Does holding the Instagram icon open DMs?

Only if a messages item appears in its Quick Actions menu. Instagram decides what is in that menu, and we couldn't confirm the current list: a 2015 report mentions a direct message shortcut, and a later guide lists Switch Accounts, Camera, New Post and View Activity.

Can I reply to an Instagram DM from the Lock Screen?

Apple says touching and holding a notification shows quick actions if the app offers them. We couldn't confirm that Instagram offers a reply there. If it doesn't, tapping the notification opens the chat.

How do I get Instagram notifications only for DMs?

Go to Profile › Menu › Notifications, and below Pause push notifications turn off each kind that isn't about messages. Leave messages on and keep Instagram allowed in iPhone Settings › Notifications.

Will I still get DM notifications if I use minulo?

Yes, from the official Instagram app, as long as minulo isn't locking it. While minulo locks the official app, its notifications don't arrive, and minulo sends none of its own.

Sources

1. iPhone User Guide: Perform quick actions
2. iPhone User Guide: View and respond to notifications
3. Instagram Help: Manage push notifications you receive
4. Dexerto: How to reply to a message on Instagram (2022)
5. VentureBeat: Why Instagram rushed to adopt Apple's 3D Touch (2015)
6. Gadget Hacks: Instagram's icon shortcuts
7. App Store (US): minulo