How to Turn on DMs on Twitter

Controlling who can send you a Direct Message on Twitter is a simple switch in your settings, but it has a huge impact on how you build your community and brand. Whether you’re a creator, business owner, or just want to connect with more people, opening up your DMs removes one of the biggest barriers to communication on the platform. This guide will walk you through exactly how to turn on your DMs, first with a step-by-step tutorial for desktop and mobile, and then with actionable advice on how to manage them like a pro.

Why Do You Need to Manage Your Twitter DMs?

Direct Messages, or DMs, are the private conversation layer of X. Think of your public feed as a broadcast tower and your DMs as a direct hotline. By default, Twitter often restricts who can send you a message to only people you follow. While this can shield you from spam, it also blocks countless opportunities.

When you "turn on" your DMs, you're essentially telling the world, "My door is open." This small change transforms your profile from a monologue into a dialogue, making you reachable for:

• Customer Support: It gives customers a private channel to resolve issues without airing grievances on the public timeline. A quick, helpful DM can turn a frustrated user into a loyal fan.
• Networking & Collaboration: Other creators, potential partners, or even recruiters can reach out directly with opportunities. Locking your DMs means you might be missing out on your next big project.
• Lead Generation: Potential clients who are interested in your services can make an inquiry easily. Making them jump through hoops - like hunting for a contact form on a separate website - creates friction that can cost you business.
• Community Building: It lets your most dedicated followers connect with you on a more personal level, ask questions, and share feedback. These interactions are the bedrock of a strong online community.

While the benefits are clear, an open inbox can also invite noise. The key isn't to just flip the switch and hope for the best, but to control your settings deliberately and have a strategy for managing the conversations that come your way.

How to Turn on DMs on Twitter (X): Step-by-Step

The process of changing your DM settings is straightforward and takes less than a minute. The steps are nearly identical whether you're using X on a desktop browser or on the mobile app. The setting will sync across all your devices once you change it.

On Desktop Web Browser

If you're managing your account from a laptop or desktop computer, here's how to adjust your DM permissions.

1. Log In and Navigate to Settings: Go to X.com and log into your account. In the left-hand navigation menu, click on the More option (represented by three dots in a circle).
2. Access Privacy Settings: From the pop-up menu, select Settings and privacy. This will take you to the main settings dashboard for your account.
3. Open Message Settings: In the central settings column, click on Privacy and safety. From there, select the Direct Messages option.
4. Adjust Your Permissions: You will now see the controls for your DMs. The key setting is labeled Allow message requests from: You have three choices:
   • No one: With this checked, only people you follow and people you've DMed in the past can message you. If someone you don’t follow tries to message you, they'll see a notice that you aren't accepting messages from them. This is the most restrictive setting.
   • Verified users: This allows anyone with a paid X Premium verification checkmark to send you a message request, in addition to people you follow. This can cut down on spam but still limits who can reach you.
   • Everyone: This is the "open DMs" setting. It allows anyone on X to send you a message. Messages from people you don't follow will land in your "Message requests" inbox for you to review, accept, or delete. To fully open your DMs, select this option.

While you're here, you'll see a couple of other useful settings. It's a good idea to keep Filter low-quality messages checked. This automatically sorts messages that appear spammy or automated into a separate, less visible folder at the bottom of your message requests, keeping your main inbox clean. You can also toggle Allow display of read receipts on or off, which controls whether others can see when you have viewed their DMs.

On Mobile (iOS & Android)

The steps are just as simple on the X mobile app. If you're on your phone or tablet, here’s what to do.

1. Open the App and Your Menu: Launch the X app. Tap on your profile picture in the top-left corner to open the main side menu.
2. Find Your Settings: At the bottom of this menu, tap Settings & Privacy.
3. Go to DM Options: On the next screen, tap Privacy and safety, and then tap Direct Messages.
4. Choose Who Can Message You: Just like on desktop, you will see the heading Allow message requests from: with the same three choices: No one, Verified users, and Everyone.
5. Tap "Everyone": Select this option to fully open your DMs to all users on the platform. The change is saved instantly.

Advanced Strategies for Managing Your Open DMs

Turning on your DMs is the first step. The next is managing them effectively so you can reap the benefits without getting overwhelmed. Having an open-door policy doesn't mean you have to respond to everyone who knocks.

Frame Your DMs as a Resource

Use your profile bio or a pinned Tweet to guide people on how to best use your open DMs. This sets expectations and helps filter inquiries before they even arrive. For example:

• "DMs are open for project inquiries & collaborations!"
• "Got a question about our products? Send us a DM! Our team replies Mon-Fri, 9-5 PM ET."
• "DMs open for feedback and questions. Please be patient, I read them all but can't always reply!"

This simple framing tells people you're accessible while also establishing clear boundaries. It encourages high-quality interactions and gently discourages casual spam that doesn’t align with your goals.

Embrace the Two-Inbox System: Primary and Requests

When you allow messages from everyone, X automatically creates a "Message requests" inbox for anyone you don't follow. This is your first line of defense against noise.

• Check Your Requests Deliberately: Don't leave your message requests unread for weeks. Set aside a few minutes each day or every couple of days to specifically review this folder. Scan for names or opening lines that look promising.
• Accept or Delete with Purpose: If a message is a genuine inquiry or opportunity, click Accept to move it into your main inbox. This also allows the sender to see that you've read it (if you have read receipts on) and lets them add you to group chats. If it's spam or irrelevant, simply click Delete. The sender will not be notified.

Don't Be Afraid to Mute, Block, or Report

Part of managing an open inbox is being a firm but fair bouncer. You are in complete control.

• Mute Conversation: If someone is persistent but not necessarily abusive, you can mute the conversation. You'll no longer receive notifications from them, but the conversation history will remain in your inbox if you need it.
• Block User: If a user is harassing, abusive, or sending obvious spam, don’t hesitate to block them. They will no longer be able to message you, see your tweets, or follow you.
• Report Conversation: For messages that violate X's rules (like hate speech, impersonation, or threats), use the report function. This helps keep the platform safer for everyone.

Remember, your digital space is your own. Maintaining an open DM policy is about creating opportunities, not sacrificing your peace of mind. A judicious use of mute and block helps keep interactions positive and productive.

Final Thoughts

Opening your Twitter DMs is a small settings change that opens up a world of possibilities for communication and connection. By following these simple steps and adopting a clear strategy for managing your incoming messages, you can transform your X profile into a powerful tool for customer service, networking, and brand building.

As your presence grows, managing DMs and comments across X, Instagram, Facebook, and other channels can feel like a full-time job. For our own team, we use Postbase to streamline everything. It puts all of our conversations from every platform into one centralized inbox, so we never miss an important customer question or potential lead. It helps engagement feel manageable, not overwhelming.