---
id: 124
revision: '0'
language: en
title: Send direct messages to your contacts
---

A direct message (or DM, for short) is a communication between you and another person. In Status, you can send direct messages to people in your contact list. If the person is not your contact yet, [send a contact request][add-a-contact-in-status] first.

## Send direct messages

=== "Mobile"

    1. From the tab bar, tap :mobile-messages: **Messages**.
    1. Select **Contacts**.
    1. Tap the person you want to chat with and start sending messages.

=== "Desktop"

    1. From the navigation sidebar, click :desktop-chat: **Chat**.
    1. Click :desktop-start-chat: **Start chat**.
    1. From your contact list, select the person you want to chat with.
    1. Click **Confirm** and start sending messages.

:::tip
In direct messages, you can send text messages, [images][share-images-in-status], [GIFs, stickers][send-gifs-and-stickers] and [audio messages][send-an-audio-message]. You can [format][format-your-messages], [edit][edit-messages] and [delete][delete-messages] your messages.
:::