Instagram has officially expanded access to its new drawing feature for direct messages, allowing users to add custom artwork and stickers directly within their chats. The feature, which has been in testing with select users, is now rolling out broadly to the platform’s messaging interface.
How the New Drawing Tools Work
Users can now access drawing options by tapping the “+” menu icon next to the message composer. Once activated, a set of drawing tools appears at the top of the screen, enabling users to create custom drawings throughout their chat sequence. The drawing feature also supports sticker placement anywhere on the messaging UI, giving users more creative control over how they personalize their conversations.
Part of Instagram’s Messaging Strategy
The launch represents Instagram’s continued investment in direct messaging functionality as user behavior shifts away from public posting. The platform has reported increased DM usage, with more people now sending private messages than posting to the main feed or sharing Stories. Instagram has emphasized “Sends” as a priority in its algorithmic amplification, recognizing that direct sharing carries more value than traditional likes.
While it’s uncertain whether drawing on DMs will become a widely adopted feature, Instagram has seen success with similar messaging innovations. The Notes feature, for example, has generated significant engagement, particularly among younger users. Instagram is banking on these experimental messaging options to spark greater user engagement and make conversations more interactive and enjoyable within the app.
The drawing tools are now available to all Instagram users as of October 23, 2025.