How to Allow or Prevent Twitter DMs From Anyone

Twitter has struggled to create an image for itself, which explains its stagnant growth and why no one wants to buy it despite its best efforts. Despite its image as a public network, the service also has a much more private side – direct messages, or DMs as they’re commonly known. You can interact with other Twitter users without the 140-character limit, and you can reveal the content of those messages on your profile (which happens by default with Tweets), but you can’t simply send a private message to anyone.

Therefore, you can only start conversations with people who follow you. But Twitter isn’t just a place for individuals – brands, companies, celebrities or communities are also on the social network. That’s why Twitter gives you the option to customize direct messages, letting you receive messages from anyone, which is often called “open DMs.”

If you’re interested in doing this, you’ve come to the right place. Follow these steps to allow or block any Twitter user from starting a direct message (DM) conversation with you:

Twitter for Android

1. Open the app and find the three-dot overflow icon or your profile icon. The layout differs between versions, so click on the version you see.
2. tap set up.
3. From there, click Privacy and content.
4. Find the option shown below Receive messages from anyone.
5. Check the box to receive messages from anyone, or uncheck the box and you only want to receive messages from people you follow.

Twitter for iOS

1. Open the app and click on the last one titled I.
2. Click the gear icon next to your profile picture and select set up.
3. Go from there Privacy and security.
4. Find the option shown below Receive direct messages from anyone.
5. Turn the switch on to receive messages from anyone, or turn off the switch to limit messages to followers.

twitter on the web

1. Click on your profile icon in the upper right corner and select set up.
2. In the left pane, go to Security and privacy.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and find the option that says Receive direct messages from anyone.
4. Check the box to receive messages from anyone, or uncheck the box to limit messages from followers.

Twitter on Windows

1. In the left pane, select I.
2. Just below the cover image, click set up.
3. choose Security and privacy on the left.
4. Scroll down to the bottom and find the option that says Receive direct messages from anyone.
5. Check the box to receive messages from anyone, or uncheck the box to limit messages from followers.

Do you have any questions about direct messages on Twitter? Share them in the comments below.