Instagram is upgrading its direct messaging (also known as DMS) and has a handful of new features that make its messaging system more competitive with alternatives like Apple’s Imagessage and other third-party apps. On Wednesday, Instagram users around the world will access tools to schedule messages in 99 languages, schedule messages and pin messages to their chats, music sharing features, and more.
Commenting on Instagram, the new features will be used initially for iOS and Android users, as web access will not arrive later.
The addition of music sharing may particularly appeal to younger users, who often discover new music through social apps such as Instagram and Tiktok. To access the feature, you will click the sticker button in the chat composer screen and then click Music. You will then be able to share a 30-second preview in any song in the Instagram music library via group chat or broadcast channels.
In addition to sharing music among friends, this option can also help artists follow their fans via social media. Instagram will openly launch the music sharing feature with Jennie and Doechii, who will test sharing on their Instagram radio channel.
Other new tools will make it easier for people to use Instagram DMS as their primary chat app, including the option to convert messages sent or received in other languages. At the time of release, 99 different languages were supported.
Now, there is also a way to pin a message, image, meme, or reel to the top of the chat by holding the message and tapping “PIN”. This can be convenient, easily accessible to frequently needed information, or for entertainment. (You can unpin it by tapping the message again and selecting “unvin”.)
The company says you can pin up to three messages per conversation.
Catch up with Apple’s iMessage, this is Added message scheduling using iOS 18 versionInstagram will now also schedule its users to schedule messages by pressing (pressing) the “send” button. From here, you can select the date and time when your message should be sent. The message can be arranged 29 days in advance.
The last addition is to invite friends to the opening of group chat by sending them a QR code. From the invitation link in the chat, you can select the new “QR Code” option to send the invitation. It can be shared in real time through the built-in sharing table or saved as an image to the camera volume for later use.
