Posting or deleting direct messages

To send a direct message via the web:

1. Sign in to your Twitter account.
2. Click on the envelope icon in the top right navigation bar.
3. You'll see a pop up showing your direct message history. Click the New message button.
4. In the address box, type the name or username of the person you wish to send a message to.
5. Tip: Make sure that user follows you. You can only send direct messages to users who follow you, even though you can receive messages from any user that you follow.
6. If you’d like to include a photo in your message, click Add photo (or, if you’re using a Twitter app, tap the image icon near the text box). Note: When you share a photo in a DM, the photo is only viewable by the sender and recipient.
7. Enter your message and click Send message.

To delete a direct message via the web:

1. Click on the envelope icon in the top right navigation bar.
2. You'll see a pop-up showing your direct message history. Click the conversation containing the message you'd like to delete.
3. Locate the desired message and hover your mouse over it. A trash can icon will appear. Click it.
4. A message will show at the bottom of the DM inbox asking "Are you sure you want to delete this message?" Click Delete message.
5. Please note: Deleted DMs disappear from both the sender and the recipient's history. If you are missing DMs, check with the person you messaged to verify that they deleted the DMs you are missing.

To send direct messages from your phone and apps:

In addition to sending direct messages from the web, you can also send direct messages from:

• Official Twitter apps like Twitter for iPhone, Twitter for Android, or Tweetdeck.
• Your phone via SMS.
• Some third-party apps. Learn more here.

To send a direct message from your Twitter app:

1. Tap the envelope icon. You’ll be directed to your Messages timeline.
2. Tap the new message icon  to create a new message.
3. In the address box, type the username of the person you wish to send a message to.
4. Tip: Make sure that user follows you. You can only send direct messages to users who follow you, even though you can receive messages from any user that you follow.
5. Enter your message. Tap the picture icon to take or include a photo in your message. Note: When you share a photo in a DM, the photo is only viewable by the sender and recipient.
6. Click Send.

To delete a direct message or conversation from you Twitter app:

1. Tap and hold the message or conversation you would like to delete.
2. Tap Delete or Delete conversation.
3. Alternatively, swipe the message or conversation and tap Delete.

To receive direct messages on your phone via SMS:

If your Twitter account is connected to your mobile phone, you can receive direct messages via text.

• Read this article about setting up your mobile preferences to learn more.
• Haven't added your mobile phone yet? Find out how here.
• Added your mobile phone already? Find out what text commands to use.

If you are receiving direct messages from yourself:

Please take the following actions:

1. While signed in, visit your Apps tab in settings. Revoke access for any third party application that you don't recognize.
2. If you're still experiencing this problem after you've revoked unwanted applications, or if you weren't expecting this behavior when you approved this connection, please contact us.

If you are not seeing all of your direct messages:

• Twitter shows only your 100 most recent messages (sent AND received).
• Remember, your old DMs are not gone, they're just stored in our database. We're working to make more DMs available in the future.

Having trouble?

Check out our Tweet & DM Troubleshooting section for solutions to commons problems.