How to Send Direct Messages on TikTok: A Beginner's Guide

TikTok, like many social networking platforms, has a feature called direct messaging (DM) that allows you to communicate with your friends on the platform. You can easily message between friends, groups, or accepted users. This wikiHow will show you how to send direct messages on TikTok using your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Direct Messaging on TikTok

To send a DM on TikTok, open your inbox, search for a friend, and start the conversation. You can send messages that contain TikTok videos, GIFs, and stickers, but you cannot send pictures or other media that does not come from TikTok.

Section 1 of 6:

Sending a Direct Message on TikTok

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1
Open the TikTok app and tap Inbox. You will see the Inbox option at the bottom of the app.
- You can send a message to a friend or a mutual (someone you follow and who follows you back) unless they have their direct message privacy setting set to No one.
- If you try to send a direct message to someone who doesn't follow you, the user will need to approve the message request first.^{[1]
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This is at the top-right corner. You can enter someone's display name or TikTok username.

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3
Tap the user you want to message. This will open the conversation with you and the user.
- If the user doesn't follow you, you'll see a warning at the top that says you can only send up to 3 messages until the user accepts your direct message request.
4
Type a message. You can send simple text, or you can tap the Emoji button to browse through GIFs, emojis, and stickers to send.
- If needed, you can include a TikTok post by tapping Share post and navigating to the post.
5
Tap Send. This may look like an airplane icon or arrow on some devices.
- Your message will be sent to the user.
- If the user doesn't follow you, you'll need to wait for your message request to be approved.

Section 2 of 6:

Creating a Group Chat

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1
Open the TikTok app and tap Inbox. This is at the bottom of the app.
- Keep in mind that group chat isn't currently available in all regions.
You can find this in the top-left corner. This looks like two overlapping people with a +.
3
Select the friends you want to add. If you don't see the friends you want to add, enter their name in the search bar, or tap Find friends to add more people.
- Alternatively, tap Create group with a link to create a shareable link to join your group.
4
Tap Start group chat. This will create your group chat.
- If you chose to create a link, copy and paste the link in your friend's DM, or send it on another social media platform or messaging app.

Section 3 of 6:

Can you send pictures on TikTok messages?

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However, you can use direct messaging to send regular text-based messages, videos uploaded to the TikTok app, GIFs, stickers, and emojis.

Section 4 of 6:

Why can't I send direct messages?

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If you can't send direct messages to anyone, your account may be flagged or suspended. This can happen if you violate TikTok's Community Guidelines. However, if you can't send direct messages to only one person, it's likely the user has set their direct message settings to allow messages from only certain people or no one at all.

Section 5 of 6:

Managing Your Direct Messages

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1
Delete a chat. If you want to remove the entire chat conversation from your TikTok inbox, do the following:
- Navigate to your Inbox.
- Swipe on a chat (iOS) or tap and hold a chat (Android).
- Tap Delete.
- Tap Confirm (iOS).
2
Delete a single direct message. To remove a single direct message from your TikTok inbox, do the following:
- Navigate to your Inbox.
- Tap a chat.
- Tap and hold the message.
- Tap Delete.
- Tap Delete for me or Delete for everyone (if sent within 3 minutes).
3
Mute a chat. If you don't have to delete any chat conversations or messages, you can choose to mute the chat instead. This will stop all notifications for the chat. Do the following:
- Navigate to your Inbox.
- Swipe on a chat and tap More (iOS), or tap and hold a chat (Android).
- Tap Mute.
4
Accept or delete message requests. If you get a message request from another user, you can choose to accept it to allow direct messages or delete it to remove the request from your inbox. Do the following:
- Navigate to your Inbox.
- Tap Message requests.
- Select a chat request.
- Tap Accept or Delete.
5
Report a direct message. If you're receiving a direct message that violates TikTok's Community Guidelines, you can report it. Do the following:
- Navigate to your Inbox.
- Swipe on a chat (iOS) or tap and hold a chat (Android).
- Tap Report.
- Follow the on-screen steps.
6
Enable or disable your read status. The read status lets other users know if and when you've read their direct messages. This feature will only work if both users have read status turned on. Do the following:
- Tap Profile.
- Tap ☰ Menu.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Direct messages.
- Turn off or on Read status.
7
Changing your direct message privacy settings. If you don't want certain people to message you, or if you want to open your DMs, you can easily change your settings. Do the following:
- Tap Profile.
- Tap ☰ Menu.
- Tap Settings and privacy.
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Direct messages.
- Select Everyone, Suggested friends, Friends, or No one.

Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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1
Can you send pictures on TikTok DM? You can't send pictures from your device on a TikTok direct message. You can only send content uploaded to TikTok (such as videos), stickers, GIFs, emojis, or regular text.
2
How do you DM someone on TikTok? To DM someone on TikTok, open your inbox and search for the user (or navigate to their profile) and select the message icon.
3
Can you text on TikTok? You can send text-based messages on TikTok as long as you're connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
4
Why can't I send TikToks to my friend? If you can't send TikToks to your friend, they may have changed their direct message privacy settings. They must have DMs set to Friends or another public option. Otherwise, you'll be unable to send DMs.
- In some cases, your friend's account may be suspended or disabled, resulting in failed direct messages.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I send pictures?

Aasim

Top Answerer

Unfortunately, you cannot send images unless they are part of TikTok (such as GIPHY images).

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Question

Why can I "not send messages due to this user's privacy settings"?

Aasim

Top Answerer

The user either blocked you (which you can tell if you cannot follow the user's account) or disabled the sending of direct messages (DMs).

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Question

Does it cost money to message on TikTok?

💮Lexi💮

Community Answer

No, nothing for messaging on TikTok costs money. But in order to message, you must have a valid phone number.

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