# Reply to direct messages from the inbox

Read and answer Instagram and Facebook messages without leaving SocioRolla.

3 min read. Updated 21 Oct 2026. Pro and Max only.

## Before you start

- [Connect your social accounts](https://sociorolla.com/help/getting-started/connect-accounts)

## Steps

1. Open **Inbox**. **Messages** shows the conversations from your connected Instagram and Facebook accounts, newest first. A green number marks unread messages.

   ![Step 1: Messages lists every conversation, newest first.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/c51296b54ad0cba9dd49fec9a6a7a893e10e0742-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

2. Click a conversation. The thread opens on the right, on the newest message.

   ![Step 2: Open a conversation to read it.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/1192c0dcbe2e2c673367c1285cef5db67afea809-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

3. Click **Rolly** under the box and a draft appears in it. Nothing is sent. Read it, change what you like, then send it yourself.

   ![Step 3: Let Rolly draft the reply.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/b1a31f45f09f385a12bb03fef77ebde1a618182b-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

4. Under the box: attach a file, add an emoji, search a GIF (Instagram and Facebook), record a voice note, insert a saved reply, or dictate with the microphone.

   ![Step 4: The row of tools adds more than text.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/8fce6406c338753ca112f40f7829b3bcd718a8b7-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

5. Click the send arrow, or press Enter. The message appears in the thread.

   ![Step 5: Send it.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/c1d437251c05384e81ff3e1f49d8be891687c061-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

6. Open a Facebook conversation and click **Saved replies**. Pick one and it fills the box. Saved replies belong to the brand, so the whole team shares them.

   ![Step 6: Reuse a saved reply.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/33cb7b95e459d473d76ebba34d5addac2c3942c1-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

7. Click the reply you want. It lands in the box, ready to edit and send.

   ![Step 7: Click one to insert it.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/4a5486492afacb0741a38f250a5c229e1cfabdad-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

8. Meta only allows a reply within 24 hours of the person's last message. After that the box is replaced by a note, and you can reply again once they write to you.

   ![Step 8: A closed window blocks the reply.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/vy53y317/production/fbe703ef84b09a35c00ead7899c5d5dd2e4523aa-2880x1800.png?w=1600&sharp=25&q=90&auto=format)

### What Messages covers

Direct messages exist for Instagram and Facebook, so those are the two platforms in the list. Threads and YouTube have comments only. Opening a conversation marks it read.

### The 24-hour window

Instagram and Facebook only let you answer within 24 hours of the person's last message. After that the box is replaced by a note, and you can reply again once they write to you.

### What you can send

- Text, emoji, and photos, videos or other files with the paperclip.
- A GIF, on Instagram and Facebook conversations. The search is powered by GIPHY.
- A voice note recorded in the browser. The browser asks for the microphone the first time.
- A saved reply, or a draft from Rolly. Both land in the box for you to edit.
- Dictation with the microphone by the send arrow, which types what you say.

**Reply to this message** on a message quotes it in your answer.

### Photos, videos and voice notes people send

SocioRolla keeps its own copy of what people send you for 90 days, because Meta doesn't hand it back on a later read. A message from before that copy began can show **Media not available**.

### Messages sent by an automation

A message an automation sent carries its name under it, so nobody has to guess who wrote it.

### Plans

Replying and Rolly's drafts are on the Pro and Max plans.

## Related articles

- [Reply to comments and keep your posts tidy](https://sociorolla.com/help/inbox-and-automations/reply-to-comments)
- [Send a DM automatically when someone comments](https://sociorolla.com/help/inbox-and-automations/comment-to-dm-automation)

Source: https://sociorolla.com/help/inbox-and-automations/reply-to-messages