Open the Instagram app
Log in to your account
Tap the Messages icon in the top right
Tap the new message icon
Search for the person you want to message
Select their profile
Type your message
Tap Send
To DM from a profile, go to the person’s profile and tap Message
To reply to a story, open the story and tap Send message
To send a photo or video, open a chat and tap the camera or gallery icon
To send a post, tap the paper airplane icon under the post and choose a recipient