When it comes to Instagram, our inbox is a treasure trove of memories. Unfortunately, not all of them are good, especially for those of us who have been with Instagram for years. From weird DMs from people twice our age to messages from a potential stalker, there's plenty of history there that you wouldn't mind sending to the virtual shredder.

If you wonder how you can make your Instagram DMs spark joy again, here's a list of tips that can help you.

1. Manually Unsend Messages

Unfortunately, there's no automatic way for Instagram to scan all your regrettable messages and delete them for you. However, there's still a way to remove messages from someone else's app by unsending them. While this doesn't necessarily mean that they haven't seen your message, it can mean that they won't have access to it anymore in the future.

Related: How to Use Vanish Mode on Instagram (and Why You Should)

Best for identification cards like passports, screenshots of important files, bad pick-up lines, and racy photos, here's how you can unsend a message on Instagram.

How to Unsend DMs Using the Instagram App

First, open your DMs and find the message that you want to delete. Next, tap and hold the message you want to unsend for a few seconds until additional interactions open. Then, on the bottom of the screen, tap Unsend.

If it's your first time to unsend a message on the Instagram app, a pop-up will appear to ask if you want to remove the message for everyone. Press Unsend to confirm. If successful, Instagram will show a Message Unsent notification wherein you can tap OK to finalize the process. Once you go through this once, you will no longer get any pop-ups when choosing to unsend a message or photo in the future with the same method.

How to Unsend DMs Using Instagram in a Web Browser

If you're going through a social media detox and don't have the Instagram app on your mobile phone anymore, you can also unsend Instagram DMs through your web browser. To accomplish this, log in to Instagram on any web browser and find the message you want to unsend.

Unsend on IG Web

Then, hover over the message you want to delete and click the three dots on its left before clicking Unsend. If it's the first time you are unsending a message through this way, a pop-up will appear to ask you to confirm your decision. Simply click Unsend to confirm. Once you unsend your photo or message, all that's left is to pray that they haven't taken a screenshot of it beforehand.

2. Delete Direct Message Threads

If you're in a rush to forget someone right away, you can also delete entire message threads. Bear in mind that deleting direct message threads or chats only affect you and not the other person as they will still have copies of your messages on their app. Knowing that, this method is best for deleting threads from people who stopped using their accounts a long time ago or messages from bots, spam, or unknown accounts.

How to Delete Direct Message Threads Using the Instagram App

If you want to delete entire chats on your Instagram app, find the conversation you want to delete. Then, drag it to the left, tap Delete, and confirm the action by pressing Delete on the pop-up.

How to Delete Direct Message Threads in a Web Browser

Delete Chat on IG Web

To delete entire threads on Instagram for web, log in to Instagram and open the chat that you want to delete. Next, press the i button next to the Instagram handle of the person who you have the thread with. Then, select Delete Chat and confirm your decision by clicking Delete on the pop-up window.

3. Mute Messages

Have you ever wanted to just stop hearing from someone for a while, but still want the option to continue the conversation on Instagram for another day? You may want to consider muting them. Here's how to temporarily stop hearing from an Instagram contact.

How to Mute Messages From Accounts in the Instagram App

To mute conversations with someone on Instagram, open your app and find the conversation that you want to delete. Next, drag it to the left and tap Mute. Then, choose whether you want to Mute or Mute Video Chat on the pop-up that will appear.

Alternatively, you may also open your message thead and click their username. Afterward, you can toggle on the buttons next to Mute Messages and Mute Call Notifications.

How to Mute Messages on Instagram Using a Web Browser

Instagram Web Mute Feature

On your web browser, open the chat you have with the account you want to mute. Next, click the i button next to their Instagram username and check the box next to Mute Messages. Unlike the Instagram app, there is no way to choose to mute the whole conversation or just the video calls.

4. Block Users

If just seeing their names show up on your messages is already giving you an anxiety attack, it may be best to block them for good. Later, if you change your mind, it's easy to unblock Instagram users.

There is one important difference between blocking users on the Instagram app versus the web browser. When using the Instagram app to block users, you have the option to block the account messaging you and any additional accounts tied to the same username. While on the web browser, you only have a generic option to block users that doesn't specify if it includes their other accounts.

How to Block Users on the Instagram App

To block users on the Instagram app, simply open your chat with them and tap their username. Then, scroll down and press the Block button. You will be given the option to block just their video calls or their profile in general. Lastly, select Block to confirm.

How to Block Users on Instagram Using a Web Browser

On Instagram in a web browser, open the chat thread of the person you want to block. Then, click the i button next to their username and select Block.

Take note that blocking users will only delete messages from your end, not theirs. However, you can also just block users after you've taken the time to unsend messages first.

5. Restrict Users

Another option for those who want to limit interactions with profiles but don't want the drama of blocking or unfollowing them is restricting them. Under restrict mode, you can control whether their comments appear on your posts. Additionally, their chat thread will be moved to Message Requests, so they won't know whether you've read their messages or not.

Available on the Instagram app, you can restrict users by opening your chat thread with them and tapping their username. Next, scroll down and select Restrict. When a pop-up appears, tap Restrict Account to confirm.

6. Make a New Instagram Account

If the thought of manually sorting through your regrettable messaging decisions is making you panic already, it may be a sign that you've outgrown your Instagram profile already. While deleting your Instagram account won't delete your messages, it does mean you never have to read any of them or let them affect you ever again.

When making a new Instagram account, you may even want to consider making two different profiles for your personal and professional needs. Then, you can be a little more discerning about your followers and those that can message you.

Keep Instagram Safe for You

When many of us first made our Instagram accounts, it was a different time in internet history. For a while, Instagram was just a cool place to post updates about our lives and share them with friends.

While Instagram is still a fun place to be, it's important to be more mindful now about practicing good internet safety. Aside from not sending IDs through DMs, racy photos, or things you might regret, there are plenty of other things you can do.