On X (formerly Twitter), open Messages, tap the settings or filter icon, and select Message Requests. You will see a separate list of DMs from people you do not follow. Open each one to read it, then choose to accept, delete, or report it. Accepting moves that sender into your main inbox.
What Message Requests Are
Message requests on X are DMs from accounts you do not follow. Instead of landing straight in your main inbox, they get filtered into a separate folder. This is a basic spam and harassment control, not a bug.
If you have ever wondered why a message someone swore they sent never showed up, this is usually why. It is sitting in requests, waiting for you to look.
I check mine every few days because I get messages from people I do not follow who still have something useful to say, journalists, potential clients, event organisers. Ignoring the folder means missing those.
How to Find Message Requests on the App
The steps are the same whether you are on iPhone or Android, though the icons can shift position slightly after updates.
- Open the X app and tap the Messages icon.
- Look for a small settings or filter icon, usually top right.
- Tap it and select Message Requests from the menu.
- You will see a list separate from your normal conversations.
- Tap any message to open and read it in full.
If you cannot see the option straight away, check that your app is updated. Older versions sometimes bury this setting differently or label it slightly differently.
How to Check on Desktop
The desktop version works much the same way, though the layout is wider and easier to scan.
Go to the Messages tab on the left side of the screen. Near the top of the message panel, there is usually a small icon or dropdown that lets you switch between your main inbox and requests.
Click into it, and any pending DMs from non followers will appear there. You can open, reply, or ignore them from the same screen without switching tabs.
What You Can Do With a Request
Once you open a message request, you have a few plain choices. You can accept it, which moves the sender into your regular inbox and lets the conversation continue normally.
You can leave it as is, which does nothing and simply keeps it sat in the requests folder for later.
You can delete it, removing the message from view. Or you can report it if the content is abusive, spammy, or breaks the platform rules. Reporting sends it to X for review.
Why Some DMs Hide or Never Appear
Some people assume every message arrives instantly in one place. That is not how it works on X (formerly Twitter), and this catches a lot of users out.
Messages from accounts you do not follow almost always land in requests first, not your main inbox. This is by design, meant to reduce spam.
Your own privacy settings also affect this. If you have changed who can message you in your settings, for example restricting DMs to people you follow, some messages may be blocked entirely before they ever reach a request folder.
I cannot tell you that every hidden message is recoverable. Some senders get silently blocked by filters, and there is no notification telling you this happened.
Settings That Affect What You See
Your message privacy settings sit in the main Settings and Privacy menu, under Privacy and Safety, then Direct Messages.
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There you can choose who is allowed to send you message requests at all, everyone, only verified accounts, or nobody outside people you follow. If this is set tightly, you may be missing messages that never even reach your requests folder.
It is worth checking this setting every so often, particularly if you run a business account and want people to be able to reach you without following first.
Common Problems People Run Into
A frequent complaint is not being notified when a new message request arrives. X does not always push a strong notification for requests the way it does for regular DMs, so they can sit unread for days.
Another issue is confusion between requests and messages that have simply been archived or muted. These are different features. Archived chats are ones you have already accepted and tucked away. Muted chats still arrive but without alerts. Requests are unopened and unaccepted by default.
If a message still will not show up anywhere, it is possible the sender has been blocked previously, or your account restrictions are stopping it completely. I cannot say for certain which without checking your own settings directly.
A Quick Routine Worth Keeping
I treat message requests the same way I treat a second email inbox, worth a regular glance, not constant checking.
Once a week is usually enough for most people. If you run an active business account with a lot of inbound interest, checking every couple of days makes more sense.
Clear out anything that is clearly spam early, accept anything genuine looking, and keep your DM settings reviewed every few months since X does update these options from time to time.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I not find message requests on X?
It is usually tucked under a settings or filter icon within the Messages tab. If your app is outdated, the option may be labelled differently or placed elsewhere, so check for updates first.
Do message requests notify me like normal DMs?
Not always. X does not consistently push strong alerts for requests, so they can sit unread for days unless you check the folder manually.
Can I stop message requests entirely?
Yes. In Settings and Privacy, under Direct Messages, you can restrict who is allowed to message you, including limiting it to accounts you already follow.
Why did a message never arrive anywhere?
It may have been blocked by your privacy settings or the sender may have been previously blocked. I cannot confirm the exact cause without checking your account settings directly.
More X and Twitter fixes: the X help guide.
