2 Quick Ways to DM (Direct Message) on Instagram on Mac

How to Send Instagram Direct Messages on Mac in 2023

If you‘re an avid Instagram user, you know how convenient it is to send quick DMs to friends and connections right from your phone. But what if you want to access your Instagram messages from your Mac computer? Unfortunately, Instagram still doesn‘t provide an official app for Mac as they do for Windows.

However, there are several third-party apps and workarounds that allow you to send and receive Instagram DMs right from macOS. In this guide, we‘ll walk through two of the best methods – the IG:dm app and Flume – so you can keep up with your Instagram conversations without having to constantly reach for your phone. We‘ll cover the key features, setup process, and pros and cons of each option.

Whether you prefer a streamlined app focused solely on DMs or a more full-featured Instagram client, you‘ll learn how to get your Mac set up for Instagram messaging with these step-by-step walkthroughs. Let‘s dive in and get your Instagram DMs flowing on your Mac!

Instagram Direct Messaging 101

Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. One of the key features is Instagram Direct, which allows you to send private messages, photos, videos, and posts to individual users or small groups.

To send a DM on Instagram, you simply tap the paper airplane icon, select the recipient from your follower list, and compose your message. You can include text, emojis, images, and other attachments. Instagram Direct is great for having private conversations, sending quick updates, collaborating with colleagues and clients, and sharing content with close friends and family.

However, this functionality has traditionally been limited to the mobile Instagram app, with no official support for Mac computers. Fortunately, some smart developers have created apps to fill this gap and provide Instagram messaging capabilities on macOS. Let‘s take a look at two of the best options.

Instagram‘s Missing Mac App

While Instagram does provide a native app for Windows computers, they have yet to release an official Mac app. This means that Mac users have to either rely on the web browser version of Instagram or use third-party apps to access the full functionality.

The browser version works for viewing your feed and interacting with posts, but it does not support direct messaging. You need to use your phone for sending DMs. This can be quite inconvenient if you‘re working on your Mac and want to quickly respond to an Instagram message without interrupting your workflow.

The lack of an official Mac app from Instagram is surprising, given the popularity of Apple computers among creative professionals, social media managers, and heavy Instagram users. There have been rumors and speculation over the years about Instagram developing a Mac app, but nothing has materialized yet.

In the meantime, Mac users have to turn to third-party apps like IG:dm and Flume to bridge the gap and enable Instagram DMs on macOS. While not perfect substitutes for an official app, these options work quite well and provide a much more convenient way to handle Instagram messaging from your computer. Let‘s take a closer look at how to set up and use each one.

Method 1: Using IG:dm for Instagram DMs on Mac

IG:dm is a lightweight Mac app that is purely focused on enabling Instagram direct messages on your computer. It provides a simple, streamlined interface for viewing and sending DMs without all the other Instagram features like the main feed, Stories, and Explore page. This is a great option if you only care about messaging and don‘t want the distractions or clutter of a full Instagram client.

Setting Up IG:dm

1. Download the latest version of IG:dm from the official website (igdm.me)
2. Open the downloaded file and drag the IG:dm app icon to your Applications folder
3. Launch IG:dm and log in with your Instagram username and password
4. You will be prompted to enter a verification code sent to your email address associated with Instagram. Enter the code to complete login.
5. Grant IG:dm permission to access your macOS keychain and send you notifications.

Once you‘ve completed these steps, you‘ll see your Instagram DM inbox in the IG:dm window. The interface shows your conversation list on the left and the message history for the selected chat on the right.

Sending DMs with IG:dm

To compose a new Instagram DM using IG:dm:

1. Click on the "New Message" button or use the Cmd+N keyboard shortcut
2. Start typing the username of the intended recipient
3. Select the username from the list of suggestions
4. Type your message in the chat box at the bottom of the window
5. Optionally add emojis or attach images
6. Hit the Send button or press Enter to send the DM

One nice feature is that IG:dm provides previews of photos and videos directly in the message history, so you don‘t have to click on each attachment to view.

IG:dm also supports creating and naming group chats. You can start a group chat by clicking on the "New Group" button and adding multiple usernames as recipients. The group name can be edited at the top of the message window.

While IG:dm gets the job done for basic messaging, it does lack some of Instagram‘s more advanced DM features like video chats, polls, and sending Reels. It also doesn‘t allow you to post photos or Stories to your profile – it is really just for messaging. But if DMs are your main concern, IG:dm is a lightweight and efficient option.

Method 2: Using Flume for Instagram Access on Mac

If you‘re looking for a more complete Instagram experience on Mac, Flume is one of the best third-party Instagram clients available. In addition to DM support, Flume lets you browse your feed, comment on posts, view and add Stories, and even upload photos and videos to your profile. While it doesn‘t replicate every single feature of the mobile app, it comes quite close.

Setting Up Flume

1. Download the latest version of Flume from the official website (flumeapp.com)
2. Open the downloaded file and drag the Flume app icon to your Applications folder
3. Launch Flume and log in with your Instagram username and password. You may be prompted to enter a verification code.
4. Customize your Flume settings and preferences. You can adjust your feed layout, enable/disable autoplay for videos, and more.
5. Turn on Flume notifications in macOS preferences to get notified of new DMs and other Instagram activity.

Sending Instagram DMs with Flume

1. Click on the paper airplane icon in the upper right corner to open the DM screen
2. Click on the "New Message" button to start a new conversation
3. Search for the username of the recipient
4. Compose your message in the text box at the bottom
5. Use the buttons to add emojis, attach photos/videos, or create a poll
6. Press Send to deliver the DM

One advantage of Flume over IG:dm is that it supports more of Instagram‘s interactive DM features like polls, emoji sliders, and question/answer prompts. With IG:dm you can only send basic text and attachments.

Flume also provides an inbox view that lets you see message previews for your recent conversations, just like on the mobile app. You can also easily send posts from your Instagram feed as a DM – just right-click on the post and choose "Share".

The main draw of Flume is that it goes beyond just DMs to provide a more complete Instagram experience on Mac. The feed view replicates the look and feel of scrolling through Instagram on your phone, with support for liking and commenting on posts directly in the app. You can view Stories, Reels, and IGTV videos as well.

Perhaps the most unique feature of Flume is the ability to upload photos and videos to your profile from your Mac. The app has a built-in photo editor with filters and basic adjustment tools to touch up your shots before posting. No more having to transfer files to your phone first.

Flume does have a paid Pro version that unlocks some extra features like direct posting, multiple account support, and saving photos/videos, but the free version is fully functional for sending DMs and accessing core Instagram features.

IG:dm vs Flume: Which Instagram DM App is Best for Mac?

Now that we‘ve looked at how to use both IG:dm and Flume to send Instagram DMs on Mac, you may be wondering which app is the better choice. The answer depends on your specific needs and preferences:

IG:dm Advantages:

• Clean, simple interface focused solely on direct messaging
• Faster and more lightweight than Flume
• Completely free with no paid version or upgrade required
• Works for sending basic DMs with text, photos, and videos

Flume Advantages:

• Provides a more complete Instagram experience on Mac, not just DMs
• Supports more interactive DM features like polls and question prompts
• Can browse your feed, view Stories/Reels, and comment on posts within the app
• Allows uploading photos and videos to Instagram directly from Mac
• Has a native macOS look and feel

If you only care about occasionally sending DMs and want the lightest, most streamlined app, go with IG:dm. But if you‘re a heavy Instagram user and want to replicate more of the core Instagram features on your Mac, Flume is the more robust and full-featured option. You can also use both in tandem – IG:dm for quicker DM access and Flume for everything else.

Tips for Effective Instagram Messaging on Mac

No matter which app you choose, here are a few tips to keep in mind when using Instagram DM on your Mac:

• Enable notifications so you don‘t miss important messages
• Use the search bar and filters to quickly find specific conversations
• Send posts and Reels from your Instagram feed by copying the share URL
• Utilize the emoji picker and GIF search for more expressive messages
• Add interactive elements like polls and questions to engage recipients
• Double-check your message before sending to avoid typos or errors
• Remember that DMs are private, but can still be screenshotted, so be mindful of what you send

Will Instagram Ever Release an Official Mac App?

The million dollar question is if and when Instagram will finally develop and release their own official Mac app. Despite years of requests from users, Instagram has remained quiet on their plans for a macOS version.

In the past, Instagram has stated that they prioritize the mobile experience since that‘s how the vast majority of users access the platform. They want to focus on optimizing the app for phones and tablets rather than spreading resources thin to support desktop computers.

However, with the rise of remote work and the increasing use of Mac computers for social media management and content creation, the demand for a native Instagram app on macOS is certainly there. More users are looking to streamline their workflows and access their critical social media tools in one place.

In 2021, Instagram did release new features for the web version, including the ability to DM from the browser. This could signal that they are gradually expanding beyond just the mobile app. But a web interface is still not as convenient or fully-featured as a dedicated Mac app would be.

It‘s possible that Instagram is working on a Mac version behind the scenes and will surprise us with a release in the near future. But until that happens, Mac users will have to rely on third-party apps like IG:dm and Flume or use the web version for sending DMs and accessing Instagram on macOS.

Conclusion

As we‘ve seen, sending Instagram DMs on a Mac is possible with the help of third-party apps like IG:dm and Flume. While not as seamless as having an official app from Instagram, these options provide a good workaround for Mac users who want to keep up with their DMs without constantly switching to their phone.

IG:dm is the simplest and most lightweight option, best for users who just need to occasionally send direct messages and don‘t care about other Instagram features. Flume is a more robust Instagram client that supports DMs alongside a more complete macOS version of the Instagram experience.

Hopefully Instagram will surprise us with an official Mac app in the future. But until then, these third-party apps help fill the gap and make Instagram DMs more accessible and convenient on Mac. With a bit of setup, you can keep the conversation flowing from the comfort of your computer.

Discussion Question

Now I want to hear from you! Do you send Instagram DMs from your Mac? If so, what app or method do you use? IG:dm, Flume, web browser, or something else? What‘s your favorite feature?

Let me know in the comments below and feel free to share your own tips or experiences with using Instagram on Mac. I‘m curious to hear what works best for you!