Instagram Adds Live Video Support for Direct Messages - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Instagram Adds Live Video Support for Direct Messages

by

Instagram today announced the addition of live video support for Direct Messages. Instagram users can tap the Direct icon, create a live video, and then send it to a friend or a group of friends. There's also an option to for Instagram users to share a live video they're currently watching with friends.

Live videos sent via Direct Message can only be viewed while the live video is ongoing -i it's not watchable after streaming has concluded.

instagramdirectlive

When you're live, just tap the Direct icon at the bottom of the screen and send your live video to friends. You'll also have this option when going live with a friend. Once sent, the recipient will see your live video in their Direct inbox. Friends can only view your video if you're currently live. If your live video is over, your friend will see a message saying the video has ended.

Those who do not want to send live videos to friends in Direct can disable the option in the stories settings.

Instagram says the new live video feature is designed to make it easier for people to watch and send live videos to friends, and it comes as Instagram tests a standalone direct messaging app with a small number of users in Chile, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and Uruguay.

Instagram can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

JayJohnPaul Avatar
114 months ago
Wait till they make it a separate app...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lincolntran Avatar
114 months ago
Live video is now being market as the best way to communicate with friends and family while kids lose the ability to make real human connection and to communicate with real humans in the real world and not through a screen....what a sad society we have become.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
machumors90 Avatar
114 months ago
They hit the nail on the head with the promotional photo of the teenager.
I can't see adults (mainly myself) ever using this "feature".
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Norwegian_Imposter Avatar
114 months ago
Jesus. Mac rumors forum is grumpy today.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blake2 Avatar
114 months ago
Cool feature but how is this relevant to this website?
Probably because it can be downloaded from the App Store for free...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
114 months ago
Cool feature but how is this relevant to this website?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....