How to find Direct on Instagram on Xiaomi smartphones: a detailed guide

Are you the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone (Redmi, POCO or Mi series) and can’t find the Direct button in the Instagram app? This problem is familiar to many users – especially after app or MIUI firmware updates. Unlike iPhone, where the Instagram interface is more stable, on Android devices (and Xiaomi in particular), the location of elements can vary depending on the application version, the system shell and even regional settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can access Direct on Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden gestures, alternative menu paths, and solutions for when the button goes missing, and how to avoid similar problems in the future. If you’ve tried standard methods (like swiping right) and they haven’t worked, don’t close the page: below you’ll find unique solutions for MIUI 12-14 firmware and new versions of Instagram.

Why does the Direct button disappear on Xiaomi?

The problem with the disappearance of the Direct icon on Xiaomi is due to several factors:

• 🔄 Instagram updates: After the redesign of 2023-2026, the app interface has become adaptive, and on some devices, the button is hidden under a swipe or transferred to another menu.
• 📱 Features MIUI: Xiaomi’s shell can conflict with displaying Android app elements, especially if features like Improved Display or Charge Savings are enabled.
• 🌍 Regional settings: In some countries (e.g. the EU) due to privacy laws, the Instagram interface is simplified and Direct may be less visible.
• 🛠️ Cache errors: Accumulated data from an application or system can cause a failure in the display of elements.

Interestingly, the POCO F5 and Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14 are more common than on older models like the Mi 9T. This is due to the optimization of new firmware for Android 13/14, where background processes are limited more aggressively.

⚠️ Note: If you use a modified firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU or Pixel Experience), the Direct button may be missing due to remote Google services. MIUI Global.

Method 1: Standard location of the Direct button

In most cases, the Direct icon is in the upper right corner of the Instagram home screen (near the Create icon (📩). If you can't see her:

1. Open the Instagram app and wait for the full feed load.
2. Check the upper right corner – the icon should be between the lycs (heart) and the profile (avatar).
3. If there is no button, try swiping to the right of the left edge of the screen – on some versions of Instagram Direct opens with a gesture.

On Xiaomi Redmi 10 and POCO X3 Pro with MIUI 13, users note that sometimes the button only appears after restarting the application.

Is the Instagram app open?|Can you see the icon of the plane in the upper right corner?|Have you tried swipe to the right of the left edge?|Has the application been restarted?-->

Method 2: Access the profile menu

If the Direct button is missing from the main screen, it can be found through the profile menu:

1. Slip on the avatar (lower right icon) to go to profile.
2. In the upper right corner, press three horizontal lines (☰).
3. In the drop-down menu, select Direct (or Messages in English).

On the Xiaomi Mi 11 with MIUI 14, this path works steadily, even if the main icon is hidden. However, in some regions (for example, in Turkey or India), the item may be called Messages or DM.

⚠️ Note: If the profile menu does not contain Direct, check if you have Instagram Lite installed. In the lightweight version, the functionality of messages is limited - you will need to install the full version from Google Play.

Redmi (Note, A, K series)|POCO (F, X, M series)|Mi (10, 11, Mix)|Another model |I don't know-->

Method 3: Gestures and Hidden MIUI Functions

Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12-14 have hidden gestures that can help you open Direct, even if the button is not visible:

• 👆 Double swipe down the main Instagram screen (on some firmware opens the menu with Direct).
• 🔄 Keeping the profile icon (avatar) for 2 seconds – a context menu with the Message item may appear.
• 📱 Three-finger swipe to the left (works on the POCO F5 Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Gesture-on MIUI customized).

To activate hidden gestures:

1. Go to Settings → Additional settings → Gestures.
2. Enable the app gesture option (if available).
3. Go back to Instagram and try swipe combinations.

On Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, users note that after switching on the gestures, the Direct button appears in the bottom navigation bar (near Home and Search).

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If the gestures don't work, try turning off Full-screen mode in your Instagram settings (Settings → Utility → Full-screen mode).This can bring back the standard button display.

Method 4: Cache Cleanup and Instagram Reinstallation

If Direct is still unavailable, the problem may be in the damaged cache of the application or system.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Instagram in the list and tap it.
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the cache.
4. If it doesn’t help, click Clear Data (Warning: This will remove all unsaved drafts and settings!).
5. Reboot your smartphone and check Instagram.

If the cleanup didn't help:

• 📥 Remove Instagram through Settings → Annexes.
• 🔍 Install the latest version from Google Play (not from third-party sources!).
• 🔄 After installation, do not restore data from backup – this can return the error.

On the Redmi 9A and other low-cost models with a low storage capacity (2/32 GB), Instagram cache often overflows, which leads to crashes, in which case it is recommended to clean the cache regularly (every 1-2 weeks).

Method 5: Set up notifications and permissions

Often the Direct button is lost due to restricted permissions or disabled notifications.

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Instagram → Permissions.
2. Make sure it's on: 📲 Notifications 📱 Background activity 🔄 Auto-start (important for the MIUI!)

Settings → Notifications → Instagram

On the POCO X4 Pro and Redmi K50, users are faced with MIUI automatically turning off background activity for Instagram to save charge.This leads to Direct not being updated or disappearing.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Find Instagram in the list and select No Limits.
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: If you use Power Saving Mode (Ultra Mode or Super Mode), Instagram may not work properly. → Battery → Energy saving regime.

Method 6: Alternative methods of access to the Directorate

If the standard methods didn’t work, try these options:

• 🔍 User search: Open Instagram and tap Search (laptop). Enter the user name you want to start a dialogue with. On the profile page, click Message and Direct will open.
• 📩 Answer to story: View any user's story. Swipe up or tap the field Send a message. This automatically opens a live chat in Direct.

Web version of Instagram

1. Open your browser and go to https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/.
2. Log in and use Direct through the mobile version of the site.

On Xiaomi Black Shark and gaming smartphones with MIUI, these methods work more consistently than the standard app, due to performance optimization.

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If none of these methods worked, the problem may be the regional restrictions of your Instagram account, try changing the region in your profile settings or using a VPN (e.g. Cloudflare WARP).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Direct on Xiaomi