DM Flow
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Every chat in one list

An Instagram DM inbox for business, with a clock on every chat

DM Flow is an Instagram DM inbox for business that puts every conversation in one list. A ring on each chat shows how long you have left to reply inside Instagram’s 24-hour window.

Get started freeWhy 24 hours matter

Works with Instagram Business and Creator accounts. No card needed.

Features

Everything you need to manage Instagram DMs

One inbox for every chat, with Instagram’s 24-hour window in plain sight.

Open, closed or all

Open shows the chats that still need you. Close a chat when you are done, and reopen it at any time.

Search by name or @username

Find anyone fast, even in a long list.

Unread markers

A dot marks the chats with new messages, so you see what is new at a glance.

A window ring on every chat

The ring empties as the 24-hour window runs out. It also shows the time left, like “9 h left”.

Replies that check the window

Reply from the chat. If the window has closed, the reply box turns off and tells you why.

Works in your phone’s browser

DM Flow is a web app. The inbox fits a phone screen, and there is nothing to install.
The 24-hour window

Why answering within 24 hours matters

Instagram lets a business message a person for 24 hours after that person’s last message. Each new message from them restarts the clock.

Here is an example. Priya writes “Can you make a cake for Saturday?” at 18:00 on Tuesday. You can reply until 18:00 on Wednesday.

Reply at 17:30 on Wednesday, and Priya gets your answer. Reply at 19:00, and Instagram refuses the message. Priya never sees it, and she may think you ignored her. You cannot send a normal message until she writes again.

DM Flow shows a ring on every chat, so you see who to answer first. When a window has closed, the reply box turns off and says why.

  • 23 h leftThey just wrote. You have time.
  • 9 h leftAnswer today.
  • 40 min leftAnswer now.
  • Window closedWait until they write again.
PB@priya.bakesWindow closed

The 24-hour window closed 3 h ago. Instagram lets you reply only within 24 hours of the contact’s last message. You can reply again when @priya.bakes sends a new message.

The reply box after the window has closed.

Read the full guide to the Instagram 24-hour messaging window.

Routine

A simple routine for your DMs

Four small habits help you answer on time.

  1. 1

    Start with Open

    The Open list shows only the chats that still need you.

  2. 2

    Follow the rings

    Answer the chats with the least time left first.

  3. 3

    Close what is done

    Close a chat when the person has their answer. It leaves the Open list.

  4. 4

    Tag as you go

    Add tags like “wholesale” or “vip” to group people for later.

Automation

Your replies and your automations, side by side

Your comment to DM and keyword auto-reply automations work in the same chats you answer by hand. DM Flow keeps them out of your way.

You reply, automation waits

When you reply yourself, DM Flow pauses automation in that chat for 1 hour. You answer Arjun’s question about a bulk order at 11:00. Until 12:00, no keyword reply jumps in.

Pause or resume, chat by chat

Choose “Pause automation” in any chat, and “Resume automation” to turn it back on. Other chats keep their automations.
Contacts

Everyone who comments or writes, in one place

Each person who comments on your posts or writes to you becomes a contact. Open their chat, and the contact panel shows where they came from, when you first saw them and their tags.

Tags help you group people, like “wholesale” or “vip”.

The contacts list shows everyone, with their source (a comment, a DM or a story reply), tags and window status. Search by name or @username, then choose “Open chat” to answer.

Questions

Inbox questions

Can I manage Instagram DMs from my phone?

Yes, in your phone’s browser. DM Flow is a web app, so there is nothing to install. There is no mobile app.

Why can’t I reply to a conversation?

Usually because the 24-hour window has closed. The reply box says so and tells you when you can reply again. DM Flow also blocks replies to people who unsubscribed, and from accounts that lost their connection.

What does closing a conversation do?

It moves the chat out of the Open list, so Open shows only the chats that need you. You can still find it under Closed or All, and reopen it at any time.

Does automation keep running while I chat?

Not in that chat. When you reply, DM Flow pauses automation there for 1 hour. You can also pause or resume it yourself.

Which Instagram accounts can I connect?

Business and Creator accounts. Personal accounts cannot use Instagram’s messaging API. You can switch for free in the Instagram app.

See every chat and the time left to answer

Connect Instagram, and new DMs arrive in one inbox. You can start without a card.

Get started free