Understand direct messages

Direct messages (DMs) are smaller conversations in Slack that happen outside of channels. DMs work well for one-off conversations that don’t require an entire channel of people to weigh in, like if you wanted to ask a coworker to reschedule a meeting.


What you need to know

Tip: You can quickly start a new DM from anywhere in Slack by clicking or tapping the  compose button.


Access your direct messages

There are two ways to access your DMs on your desktop and mobile devices.

Desktop

Mobile

  • By default, your most recent DMs are listed below the Direct Messages header in your left sidebar.
  • If you don't see the DM you need, click  All DMs at the top of your left sidebar to see all the DMs you're a part of. If you don't see this option, click  More to find it.

Direct messages browser with DMs from teammates

  • Tap the  DMs tab to browse all of your DMs.
  • Tap the Jump to… field to search for someone’s name and quickly open that conversation. 

Note: You can add people to a DM to loop them into a conversation or convert a group DM to a private channel.

 

Who can use this feature?
  • All members and guests
  • Available on all plans

Direct messages (DMs) are smaller conversations in Slack that happen outside of channels. DMs work well for one-off conversations that don’t require an entire channel of people to weigh in, like if you wanted to ask a coworker to reschedule a meeting.


What you need to know

Tip: You can quickly start a new DM by clicking the  plus button in the sidebar (desktop) or tapping the  compose button (mobile).


Access your direct messages

Desktop

Mobile

Click  DMs to see a list of your direct messages. You can  search or  filter to find a specific conversation, or click the  new message icon to compose a new message.

image of a cursor pointing to the DMs icon on the sidebar in the Slack desktop app

Tap the  DMs tab to see a list of your direct messages. You can  search or  filter to find a specific conversation, or click the  new message icon to compose a new message.

Note: You can add people to a DM to loop them into a conversation or convert a group DM to a private channel.

Who can use this feature?
  • All members and guests
  • Available on all plans