Direct Message FAQs

Looking for an overview? Read about Direct Messages, including how to send and manage your messages.

My account is protected. What happens when I enable the "Receive Direct Messages from anyone" option?

Regardless of your post privacy settings (i.e. whether your posts are protected or not protected), your account will be able to receive Direct Messages from anyone if you enable the option to Receive Direct Messages from anyone

Why am I not seeing group messages?

You can start and participate in group conversations when using x.com, the X for iOS or Android apps, and X Pro. Learn more about group conversation settings.

How can I stop someone from sending me Direct Messages?

To stop receiving Direct Messages from someone:

  1. Locate the conversation from the account, and click or tap to open it.
  2. Click or tap the information icon
  3. Select Report.
  4. Confirm your choice. The account will not be able to send you a message until you send them a message first.

Alternatively, to stop receiving messages, you can block the account. Blocked accounts cannot send you messages, unless you unblock them.

Why am I having trouble sending Direct Messages?

There is an account limit of 500 Direct Messages sent per day. Once you reach this limit, you can’t send any more Direct Messages for the day.

If you are sending Direct Messages to accounts that do not follow you, you may need to verify your phone number.

If you are sending duplicate Direct Messages to multiple accounts (including sending the same link to multiple accounts), this may be reported as spam activity and can result in you not being able to send a Direct Message for a short time. You may need to wait at least 30 minutes without any attempt at sending a Direct Message before you’ll be able to do so again.

My account is sending messages without my knowledge. What is going on?

If your account is sending a Direct Message without your knowledge, it may be compromised. Follow the steps outlined for compromised accounts to help secure it.

Why am I receiving messages from myself?

Please take the following actions:

  • While signed in, visit the Apps tab in your settings. Revoke access for any third party application that you don't recognize.
  • 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.

How is someone I don’t follow able to send me a Direct Message?

When you enable the Receive Direct Messages from anyone setting, anyone can message you, even if you do not follow them.

If you previously had a conversation with a person through Direct Message, that person is able to message you regardless of if you follow them or not.

Disabling the Receive Direct Messages from anyone setting does not stop accounts from messaging you whom you have previously had conversations with and do not follow.

To stop receiving Direct Messages from someone:

  1. Locate the conversation from the account, and click or tap to open it.
  2. Click or tap the information icon 
  3. Select Report.
  4. Confirm your choice. The account will not be able to send you a message until you send them a message first.

 

Alternatively, to stop receiving messages, you can block the account. Blocked accounts cannot send you messages, unless you unblock them.

Why do some Direct Messages look different?

Businesses and developers have the option to show you a welcome message when you enter a new Direct Message conversation, which may include quick reply prompts with specific instructions to help streamline your communication. The welcome message you see may be tailored for you, including based on how you entered the conversation. For example, if you click or tap on a link or button in a post to go to Direct Messages, you may see a customized welcome message to continue the topic or conversation.

You might also see messages from businesses or developers that appear different than most Direct Messages. This can include, but is not limited to, messages with a list of predefined options for you to choose from.

 

Note: Businesses and developers will not know you saw their welcome message unless you respond, and the fact that you saw the welcome message does not mean the account can message you. Unless you have enabled the option to Receive Direct Messages from anyone, you must send them a message or follow them before they can message you back.

What happens when I am asked to mark media in Direct Messages as “shared”?

Third-party apps may ask you for your consent to configure media sent in Direct Messages as shareable. If media is configured as shareable, it can be sent by the third-party app as part of multiple Direct Message conversations between you and other people and will be viewable by anyone with the media’s URL.

How do I accept or delete incoming messages from someone I don’t follow?

Learn how to accept or delete incoming Direct Messages from someone you don’t follow.

Need more help?

If you have more questions about Direct Messages, you can contact our Support team.

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