Instagram is currently testing a standalone messaging app called ‘Direct’. The app is essentially your Instagram inbox isolated from the Instagram app. It sounds like the same relationship as Facebook and Messenger. Once you install Direct, the inbox logo on your Instagram app will disappear.
“We want Instagram to be a place for all of your moments, and private sharing with close friends is an important part of that, Direct has grown within Instagram over the past four years, but we can make it even better if it stands on its own. We can push the boundaries to create the fastest and most creative space for private sharing when Direct is a camera-first, standalone app.” – Hemal Shah, Instagram product manager,
The Direct app only has 3 screens as of right now. Direct opens to the camera just like Snapchat does. One of the other screens is the profile where you see basic information and make changes to settings. The last screen is the messaging or your Instagram Inbox. Instagram plans to make significant improvements to this over time.
One of the things I always say is “all of the important things are discussed in the Instagram DM”
