TikTok is now letting everyone DM each other with voice memos and pictures

Every platform wants to be the place you hang with friends — even Spotify as of this week — so it’s apparently time for TikTok to shore up its direct messaging feature! It told TechCrunch that over the next few weeks, all users should see voice messages and image sharing options arrive in their DMs. (They won’t show up for accounts that can’t DM to begin with, of course — “Direct Messaging is only available to accounts 16 years and older which means these features are only available to those accounts,” TikTok spokesperson JaShel Jones clarifies to The Verge.) I checked, and sure enough, I can send both, as well as videos up to one minute long (though that last has been possible for a while). Beware that if you hold down on the microphone button to start a recording, you’ll automatically send that recording as soon as you let go, so be sure to drag it up or left if you want a chance to cancel! [Image: With my finger held down on the microphone button, I can swipe up or left if I DON’T want to automatically send the message. https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/Screenshot_20250829_124034_TikTok.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] You’re limited to sending up to nine images (and videos) at a time, and both voice memos and videos can’t be more than a minute long. [Image: https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/Screenshot_20250829_123919_TikTok.jpg?quality=90&strip=all] Update, August 29th: Added TikTok clarification about who can DM and who cannot.