On Wednesday, Instagram unveiled a series of new features aimed at enhancing direct messaging (DM) capabilities. The updates include the ability to translate messages into different languages in one-on-one conversations, schedule messages, and seamlessly share music without exiting the chat interface. Previously, users could pin up to three conversation threads at the top of their DM inbox; the updated features now allow for the pinning of specific chats as well.
Overview of New DM Features
In a detailed blog post, Instagram outlined these upcoming features, including a message translation tool that empowers users to translate received messages directly within DMs. Launching with support for 99 different languages, the company mentions that any translated messages will be shared with Meta.
Another significant feature is message scheduling. Following a similar update for iPhone users with the iOS 18 upgrade, Instagram now allows users to schedule when messages and reminders are sent. To use this feature, users simply press and hold the send button, select their desired date and time, and then hit Send.
Instagram claims these enhancements are designed to facilitate the discovery of important conversations while keeping them easily accessible. While users could previously pin up to three threads, they can now also pin specific messages. To utilize this function, users need to long-press the desired message and choose the Pin option.
Additionally, for music enthusiasts, users can now share a 30-second preview of songs with friends directly in DMs, applicable in both one-on-one and group chats. To share a track, users can access the sticker tray within the chat, select the ‘Music’ option to browse the audio library, and send a preview of their chosen song.
Finally, the platform introduces personalized QR codes for group chats. This feature allows users to create a unique QR code for a specific chat group, enabling others to scan the code and join the conversation without the need for individual invitations.
