Quick answer
Who can message you: Settings > Social permissions (in the app, then Message settings) > under Messages, click Edit next to a group and choose Inbox, Requests or Don’t deliver, then Save. Messages set to Requests wait for you to accept them. Send a message: open messages (the speech bubble icon) > compose (pencil) > pick up to 10 people > type > send. Teens can only message mutual followers under 16.
Does this match what you see?
- Someone says they messaged you, but nothing is in your inbox.
- You can’t message someone, or the option is missing.
- A conversation has disappeared from your messages.
Computer (browser)iPhone & iPadAndroid
Based on Pinterest Help Center’s “Edit your message settings”, “View updates, send messages and add replies”, “Share Pins, boards, and profiles” and “Teen safety options” pages (text supplied by the site owner on November 8, 2026).
Why this happens: the possible causes
Your three choices for each group (Pinterest).
| Setting | What happens to their messages |
|---|---|
| Inbox | Arrive in your messages as normal |
| Requests | Wait in requests until you accept or deny them |
| Don’t deliver | Aren’t delivered to you at all |
- Their group is set to RequestsCheck this first
Their message is waiting for you to accept it.
- Their group is set to Don’t deliverPossible
Pinterest won’t deliver messages from that group.
- Teen messaging limitsPossible
Pinterest says teens under 16 can only exchange messages with mutual followers.
- You hid the conversationPossible
Hidden conversations leave your inbox until a new message is sent.
- You blocked them, or they blocked youPossible
Pinterest says blocked people can’t message you.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Check your message requests, not just your inbox.
- Our tip: make sure you’re both logged in to the accounts you think you are.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Choose who can message you
Pinterest’s message settings decide whose messages reach your inbox.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then your profile photo (top left).
- Tap Social permissions and activity > Message settings.
- Tap a group and choose Inbox, Requests or Don’t deliver.
Android
- Tap your profile picture (bottom right), then your profile photo (top left).
- Tap Social permissions > Message settings.
- Tap a group and choose Inbox, Requests or Don’t deliver.
Computer (browser)
- Click the more-options icon (bottom left) > Settings > Social permissions.
- Under Messages, click Edit next to a group (such as followers, collaborators or people you follow).
- Choose Inbox, Requests or Don’t deliver, then click Save.
Business accounts in the app: tap your profile photo (bottom right), then the ellipsis (top right) to reach settings.
Did it work? Messages from that group go where you chose.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Fix 2: Send a message
Pinterest’s steps for starting a conversation.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap the messages (speech bubble) icon at the bottom.
- Pick a person, or tap the pencil (top right) to search by name or email, then tap Next.
- Write your message and tap Send.
Android
- Tap the messages (speech bubble) icon at the bottom.
- Tap the new message option at the bottom, where it says Type a message.
- Type your message and tap the airplane icon.
Computer (browser)
- Click the messages (speech bubble) icon, then the compose icon (top right).
- Search your contacts and select up to 10 people.
- Type in Send a message (the plus adds ideas; the heart reacts), then click the airplane icon.
Did it work? The message appears in the conversation.
Did Fix 2 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 2. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Can’t message someone?
- Their settings: they may have set your group to Requests (your message waits for them) or Don’t deliver.
- Teens: Pinterest says under-16s can only exchange messages with mutual followers, and settings widen with age. Teens can only be added to a group chat by people they follow who follow them back. See teen safety.
- Blocked: if either of you blocked the other, messages won’t go through. See block or unblock.
Share a Pin, board or profile
Open the Pin, board or profile and select the share icon, then search by name or email (or pick a suggested person) and select Send. In the app you can also Copy link or send through another app. For your own board in the app, tap the arrow next to Your saves first; you can also share or download a board video.
Voting: send several Pins at once (on iPhone, tap other Pins to add them) and friends can vote on the ones they like. Pinterest says you can see who voted for which Pin and the total votes.
Replies (app only): tap and hold a shared Pin, board or text in a conversation and choose Reply (or tap the reply icon beside it) to start a separate replies thread about it. Pinterest says replies can’t be added on the web yet.
Hide or delete a conversation
- Hide: open the conversation, select the ellipsis (top right) > Hide conversation.
- Bring it back: Pinterest says go to the person’s profile, select Message and send a new message; the conversation reappears in your inbox.
- Delete a message: on a computer, select the ellipsis next to the message > Delete. In the app, press and hold the message, then tap Delete.
Unwanted or harassing messages
Set that group to Requests or Don’t deliver, and report the conversation or block the person. If you ever feel unsafe, Pinterest says contact your local law enforcement.
How to know it worked
- You can send and receive messages from the people you choose.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Not getting notified about messages? See Pinterest notifications.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my Pinterest message requests?
Messages from groups you’ve set to Requests wait in your message requests until you accept or deny them. Change this in Settings > Social permissions > Messages.
How do I stop someone messaging me on Pinterest?
Set their group to Don’t deliver in Settings > Social permissions > Messages, or block them.
How many people can I message at once on Pinterest?
Pinterest says up to 10 people in one message.
How do I unhide a Pinterest conversation?
Pinterest says visit the person’s profile, select Message and send a new message; the conversation reappears.
Why can’t my teen message people on Pinterest?
Pinterest says under-16s can only exchange messages with mutual followers, and settings widen as they get older.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
- Edit your message settings (external site, opens in a new tab)
- View updates, send messages and add replies (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Share Pins, boards, and profiles (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Teen safety options (external site, opens in a new tab)
- Block or unblock someone (external site, opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed 7 November 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 7 May 2027. Editor: Michael Michael. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 7 November 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pinterest. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.