zulip/help/direct-messages.md

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# Direct messages
**Direct messages (DMs)** are conversations with other users that happen outside
of a [channel](/help/channels-and-topics). DMs work well for one-off messages,
usually with just one or two others.
If you find yourself frequently conversing with the same person or group, it
often works better to [create a private channel](/help/create-a-channel) for your
conversations. This lets you organize your discussion into topics, and add or
remove participants as needed.
## Send a DM
{!send-dm.md!}
## Access a DM
If using Zulip in a browser or desktop, there are several ways to access an existing DM conversation.
* Click on **Direct messages** near the top of the left sidebar to access
recent DM conversations.
* Click on any user in the right sidebar.
* Start typing a user's name in the [search](/help/search-for-messages) bar.
You'll be able to select DMs with that user.
* Open the compose box, and enter a list of users on the **To:**
line. Type <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>.</kbd> to open that conversation.
## Access all DMs
{start_tabs}
{tab|desktop-web}
{relative|message|direct}
{tab|mobile}
1. Tap the **Direct messages**
( <img src="/static/images/help/mobile-dm-tab-icon.svg" alt="direct messages" class="help-center-icon"/> )
tab at the bottom of the app.
{end_tabs}
## Related articles
* [Typing notifications](/help/typing-notifications)
* [Open the compose box](/help/open-the-compose-box)