# Direct/private messages disabled: Cannot see messages

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/direct-private-messages-disabled-cannot-see-messages/198484
**Category:** UX
**Created:** [July 28, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/direct-private-messages-disabled-cannot-see-messages/198484 "2021-07-28T18:43:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![jesus2099](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/jesus2099/32/119720_2.png) [@jesus2099](https://meta.discourse.org/u/jesus2099)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2021, 6:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/direct-private-messages-disabled-cannot-see-messages/198484/1 "2021-07-28T18:43:25Z")

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Continuing the discussion from [Private Message Can't Be Reached with private messaging disabled](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-message-cant-be-reached-with-private-messaging-disabled/133518/11):

> [@Private Message Can't Be Reached with private messaging disabled](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-message-cant-be-reached-with-private-messaging-disabled/133518/11):
>
> You have a very specific use-case. There’s no point showing the icon if the user has no messages - or if they’re not allowed to send any per the setting discussed above.

Actually (now), on [community.metabrainz.org](http://community.metabrainz.org), where Discourse private messages (PM) are disabled because we already have a PM system, when I go to top secret [✉ my messages](https://community.metabrainz.org/my/messages) hidden link, I can see some interesting content (flagged posts, my comments to admins and their answers):

 ![IMG_20210728_205206](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/2/e/2e377362c9bd37c199c207138d51b99f93ce81e2.jpeg)  
 ![IMG_20210728_205222](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/1/a/1ad46def923cf1fd66f40235dd09a0a5c25d7763.jpeg)  
 ![IMG_20210728_205234](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/6/a/6a0297295297dcd6a8adc4b0a23a963775608b76.jpeg)

The [fix](https://meta.discourse.org/t/private-message-cant-be-reached-with-private-messaging-disabled/133518/12) in the linked topic was to let envelope link to messages active for admins.  
But in fact, it seems that it should be active for everyone who has received messages.

The Messages entry should also appear in the Preferences drop down select.