Messages always open keeps a site's direct messages working with no pause, no timer and no counting, even while its feeds are shut. It is on by default for every watched site that has messages: Instagram, Facebook and Messenger, TikTok, X, Reddit and LinkedIn. YouTube has no messages, so it does not have the option.
Which pages count as messages?
| Site | Message pages |
|---|---|
instagram.com/direct | |
facebook.com/messages, and all of messenger.com | |
| TikTok | tiktok.com/messages |
| X | x.com/messages and x.com/i/chat |
reddit.com/message and reddit.com/chat | |
linkedin.com/messaging |
Everything under those addresses, like a single conversation, is treated as messages too.
What does Messages always open do?
With the option on, message pages:
- Open straight away in every mode except Untouched, which leaves the whole site alone anyway.
- Do not count toward your daily budget, or toward a Daily limit site's minutes.
- Stay open after the budget is spent, after a daily limit runs out, and with no feeds before noon on.
- Do not get the scroll check.
What it does not do is open the rest of the site. If you click from your messages to the home feed or to Reels, that page follows the site's mode as usual. A post someone sends you in a chat opens with a quick pass.
What happens to messages if I turn it off?
Message pages are then treated like any other specific page on the site. Opening them yourself brings up the pause, with a reason and a short window, and the time is counted. That can make sense if chats themselves are where your time goes.
How do I turn it on or off for a site?
- Open your dashboard.
- In the site list, find the site.
- Tick or untick Messages always open. For a Daily limit site it reads "Messages always open, not counted".
The option shows for any site with messages that is not set to Untouched. It is saved to your account and reaches every linked browser on the next sync. Refresh any open tab of that site.
Can I use Instagram only for messages?
Yes. Set Instagram to No feeds and leave Messages always open on, which is the default. Home, Reels and Explore stay shut, instagram.com/direct works as usual, and posts friends send you open for 30 seconds. The full setup is in Instagram messages only.
The same idea works for Facebook. Messenger at messenger.com is always treated as messages, so you can keep chatting with the Facebook feed shut. See Messenger without the Facebook feed.
Does this work in the phone apps?
Not yet. I've had it works in Chrome, Edge, Brave and Arc on a computer. The phone app shows your numbers and lets you change your plan, but it does not block anything inside the Instagram or TikTok apps.
Questions
Can I use Instagram DMs without seeing the feed?
Yes. With Instagram on No feeds and Messages always open on, the feeds are shut and instagram.com/direct opens as usual on your computer.
Do messages count toward my daily limit?
No, not while Messages always open is on. Turn it off and message pages are counted like any other page.
Do messages still work after my daily budget is spent?
Yes. Messages stay open all day, including after the budget or a daily limit is used and before noon.
Why can't I find Messages always open for YouTube?
YouTube has no direct messages, so there is nothing to keep open.