Highlights
- Voice notes up to 1 minute long.
- Share up to 9 images or videos at once.
- Media can’t be sent as the first message to new contacts.
- DM feature available for users 16+.
- Optional adult‑content filter for users aged 18+.
- Group chats support up to 32 members.
Meta Description: Automobile and tech trends expert breaks down TikTok’s latest DM update, adding voice notes, images, and videos for richer chats.
TikTok is stepping up its game in private messaging. The platform has announced a major update to its Direct Message (DM) and group chat features, allowing users to send voice notes, images, and videos directly to friends or in group conversations. The rollout is expected in the coming weeks.
According to details reported by TechCrunch, voice messages will be limited to one minute in length. For images and videos, users can share up to nine files at once from their camera or gallery.
However, TikTok is keeping safety in mind. To prevent spam and unwanted content, images or videos cannot be sent as the first message to someone you’ve never interacted with. The DM feature itself is only available to users aged 16 and above.
For those aged 18 and older, TikTok is introducing an option to turn on or off automatic detection that blocks adult‑reliable images for users aged 16–18. This is part of the company’s ongoing effort to maintain a safe and positive communication space.
This update makes TikTok’s messaging experience more like Instagram’s DMs, which are used for much more than just text. Last year, TikTok increased group chat capacity to 32 members and, in April, launched the Footnotes feature — similar to Community Notes on X (formerly Twitter) and Meta platforms.
Industry observer notes that these changes show TikTok’s ambition to evolve from a short‑video app into a full‑fledged communication platform. “By adding richer messaging tools, TikTok is positioning itself as a place where users can not only watch and create videos but also connect and collaborate in real time,” he says.
With these updates, TikTok is clearly aiming to keep users engaged for longer — not just scrolling through videos, but also chatting, sharing media, and building communities within the app.