Send someone a direct message

A personal chat is a one-to-one conversation with another person on Zinola. You can message anyone you follow who follows you back.

1. Start a new chat

   In the app, open CHATS and tap the pencil, or tap + on the Circles tab › New chat. On the website, open Circles and choose New chat.

2. Find the person

   Tap Search people and type their name. Only people you can message are listed.

3. Say hello

   Type your message and send.

You can also tap Message on someone's profile.

The mutual-follow rule

You both need to follow each other. If you can't message someone, you'll see Only mutual followers can message, with a Follow button. Once they follow you back, the chat opens. If either of you unfollows later, the chat stays but you can't send new messages until you both follow each other again. See Follow and unfollow people.

What a personal chat can do

Personal chats work like a circle group: replies, reactions, photos, documents, location, editing and deleting, pins, ticks and search. Either of you can pin a message.

Polls, events and group buys aren't part of a personal chat. Start those in a circle group instead.

From a group to a personal chat

In a circle group, press and hold someone's message and tap Reply privately. Your personal chat with them opens with the message quoted. See Reply, reply privately, forward and copy.

Privacy

Circle admins can't see your personal chats. To stop someone contacting you, block them. See Archiving, deleting and blocking chats.