About Direct Messages

Direct Messages are the private side of Twitter. You can use Direct Messages to have private conversations with Twitter users about Tweets and other content.

The basics

• You can start a private conversation or create a group conversation with anyone who follows you.
• Anyone in a conversation can send Direct Messages to the group. Everyone in a group can see all messages, even if everyone doesn’t follow each other.
• In group conversations, anyone in the conversation can add other participants. Newly added participants won’t see the prior history of the conversation.
• Some accounts, particularly businesses on Twitter, have enabled a setting to receive Direct Messages from anyone. You can send a Direct Message to these users even if they don’t follow you.
• In both group and one-on-one conversations, you cannot be in a conversation with someone you block.

To send a Direct Message from your Twitter app

1. Tap the envelope icon. You’ll be directed to your Messages.
2. Tap the new message icon  to create a new message.
3. In the address box, enter the name(s) or @username(s) of the users you wish to send a message to. A group message can include up to 50 people.
4. Enter your message.
5. In addition to text, you can include a photo, video, GIF, or send an emoji via Direct Message.
   
   • Tap the camera icon  to take a photo or record a video, or attach one from your device gallery. 
   • To include an animated GIF in your message, tap the GIF icon  to search for and select a file from the media library.
   • To send an emoji, tap the emoji iconbefore typing your message. Select an emoji from a preselected set, and your message will immediately send. When you send one emoji, it displays in a bigger size than when you send multiple emojis at once.
6. Tap Send.
7. You and anyone else in a conversation can click or tap the more icon(iOS) or overflow icon  (Android) to add new people to the group, view everyone participating in the group, edit the name of the group, turn off notifications for the conversation, or delete the conversation. 

To delete a Direct Message or conversation:

• To delete a Direct Message, tap and hold the message and select Delete from the menu that pops up.
• To delete an entire conversation, swipe left on the conversation and tap the trash can icon (iOS) or tap and hold the conversation and select Delete (Android). You can also delete an entire conversation by clicking or tapping the more icon(iOS) or overflow icon  (Android) and selecting Delete from the menu that pops up.
• When you delete a Direct Message or conversation (sent or received), it is deleted from your account only. Others in the conversation will still be able to see Direct Messages or conversations that you have deleted.

To send a Direct Message via the web

1. Log in to your Twitter account.
2. Click Messages in the top navigation bar.
3. You'll see a pop up showing your Direct Message history. Click the New message button.
4. In the address box, enter the name(s) or @username(s) of the users you wish to send a message to. A group message can include up to 50 people.
5. In addition to text, you can include a photo, video, GIF, or send an emoji via Direct Message.
   
   • Click the camera icon to upload a photo or video.
   • To include an animated GIF in your message, tap the GIF icon  to search for and select a file from the media library.
   • Click the emoji iconto select an emoji from a preselected set to include in your message.
6. Click the Send button or press the enter key to send.
7. You and anyone else in a conversation can click the More iconto add new people to the group, view everyone participating in the group, edit the name of the group, turn off notifications for the conversation, or delete the conversation.

To delete a Direct Message or conversation:

• To delete a Direct Message, hover your mouse over the message and click the trash can icon  that appears. Then click Delete message to confirm.
• To delete an entire conversation, locate the conversation and click to open it. Then click the more iconand select Delete Conversation. Then click Yes to confirm.
• When you delete a Direct Message or conversation (sent or received), it is deleted from your account only. Others in the conversation will still be able to see Direct Messages or conversations that you have deleted.

To Share a Tweet via Direct Message

Sharing a Tweet via Direct Message is a great way to spark a conversation with a group of friends. Learn more here.

To receive Direct Messages from anyone

You can receive messages from anyone if you check the box next to Receive Direct Messages from anyone in your Security and privacy settings on twitter.com. You can also adjust this setting via the Twitter for iOS or Twitter for Android apps.

Note: If you enable this option, any user can add you to group conversations.

To change your settings using Twitter for iOS:

1. From the Me tab, tap the gear icon 
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and content.
4. Under Privacy, and next to Receive Direct Messages from anyone, slide the switch to allow anyone to send you messages.

To change your settings using Twitter for Android:

1. In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon  or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have.
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and content.
4. Next to Receive messages from anyone, check the box to allow anyone to send you Direct Messages.

To disable Direct Message read receipts

Direct Messages feature read receipts so you know when people have seen your messages. When someone sends you a Direct Message and your Send/Receive read receipts setting is enabled, everyone in the conversation will know when you’ve seen it. This setting is enabled by default but you can turn it off (or back on) through your settings at any time. If you turn off the Send/Receive read receipts setting, you will not be able to see read receipts from other people.

At this time, read receipts are only viewable on the Twitter for iOS and Android apps. Please note, however, that read receipts will also be sent when you view Direct Messages on twitter.com.

To disable or enable using Twitter for iOS:

1. From the Me tab, tap the gear icon  
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and content.
4. Under Privacy, and next to Send/Receive read receipts, drag the slider to turn the feature off or back on. 

To disable or enable using Twitter for Android:

1. In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon  or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have.
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and content.
4. Next to Send/Receive read receipts, uncheck the box to turn the feature off or check the box to turn back on.

To disable or enable via twitter.com:

1. Click your profile icon, then click Settings.
2. Click on Security and privacy.
3. Under Privacy and next to Send/Receive read receipts, click the box to turn the feature off or click the box to turn back on.

To send and receive Direct Messages on your phone via SMS

If your Twitter account is connected to your mobile phone, you can send and receive Direct Messages via SMS.

• Haven't added your mobile phone yet? Find out how here.
• Added your mobile phone already? Find out what text commands to use to send Direct Messages via SMS.
• Read this article about setting up your mobile preferences to learn more about how to receive Direct Messages via SMS.

Some important things to know about Direct Messages:

• When you delete a Direct Message or conversation (sent or received), it is deleted from your account only. Others in the conversation will still be able to see Direct Messages or conversations that you have deleted. When you delete a group conversation, you will leave that group and will no longer be able to participate.
• When you share a link in a Direct Message, it is automatically processed and shortened to a t.co link. You can learn more about link shortening here. Please note that anyone with a t.co shortened link will be able to navigate to the destination URL.
• When you share media in a Direct Message, it will be viewable by everyone in the conversation. Please note that recipients may download or re-share links to media that you share in a Direct Message. Anyone with the link to media shared in a Direct Message will be able to view the content.

Need more information?

Check out our frequently asked questions article for Direct Messages.