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Instagram direct messaging could be coming to browsers, desktop

A software engineer spotted that it's testing an expanded version of Direct.

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Instagram's Direct messaging service could be expanding.

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Instagram's apparently working on making its direct messaging available on desktop apps and web browsers.

Tipster Jane Manchun Wong tweeted screenshots of browser-based and desktop versions of Instagram Direct on Tuesday, before noting that the Facebook-owned social media service had disabled access to the prototype she'd found.

Instagram has traditionally been mobile-focused, but last month Facebook said it plans to merge the backends of its messaging services, letting Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram users message each other without switching apps.

Since Messenger and WhatsApp already have browser-based versions, it makes sense that Instagram should follow suit.

Instagram didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.