Tech Desk 
Feb 20, 2025
An undated image of Instagram logo displayed on smartphone. — Depositphotos
To make direct messages (DMs) competitive with rivals such as Apple’s iMessage and other third-party apps, Instagram has added new features to the direct messages.
According to the Meta-owned platform, the new DM features will initially be available to both iOS and Android users, with web users getting access later.
New features on Instagram DMs
One notable addition is the ability to share music directly within the app. Users can access this feature by tapping the sticker button in the chat composer screen, and then selecting "Music."
From there, they can search for songs and share 30-second previews with friends through group chats or broadcast channels.
This new feature not only enables users to discover new music but also provides artists with a platform to connect with their fans.
For this feature, Instagram has collaborated with artists JENNIE and Doechii, who will test music sharing in their broadcast channels.
In addition to music sharing, Instagram has introduced several other features.
Message translation: Users can now translate messages sent or received in another language, with support for 99 languages.
Scheduled messages: Users can schedule messages to be sent at a later time by long-pressing the "send" button and selecting the desired date and time.
Message pinning: Users can pin important messages, images, or reels to the top of their chat. According to Instagram, users can now pin up to three messages per conversation.
QR code invitations: Users can invite friends to a group chat by sending them a QR code, which can be shared live or saved as an image for later use.
