Meta is adding a lot of exciting features to make messaging on Instagram more fun, like location-sharing, new sticker packs, and the ability to create nicknames. Nicknames let you personalize your DMs with nicknames for yourself and your friends, without affecting your username on the platform.

You can also control who can change your nickname within a chat. By default, the setting lets people you follow change your nicknames in DMs; however, it can be changed so only you can edit it.

  1. To create a nickname on Instagram, open a chat and tap on the chat name at the top of your conversation.
  2. Then tap on Nicknames.
  1. Now you can tap on the profile for which you want to change or create a nickname.
  2. Type in the nickname you want to add.
  1. To change who can edit nicknames, tap on 'Change who can edit your nickname' at the top.
  2. Then you can tap on any of the three options available to choose who can change your nickname.

Things to know

  • When you create or change your or someone else's nickname, it will only show up in the chats where it has been changed. This means they won't be visible in other chats.
  • Instagram will notify users when you add or change their username.
  • Users will have to grant permission to other users in chat to be able to add and edit usernames.
  • Right now you can only change nicknames using the Instagram phone app. The feature is not yet available on the web.