Threads to test direct messaging feature

Threads, Meta's rival app to Twitter, is officially rolling out a new feature that lets users send and receive direct messages within the stand-alone app. This means Threads users won’t have to use Instagram or switch apps to chat with someone on the platform. The company will initially test this feature in limited geographies and plans to roll it out in other locations soon. The chat feature is currently limited to one-on-one conversations, not group messages.

Inside the app, users will see a fresh ‘envelope’ icon (at the bottom of the mobile or on the sidebar on desktop), which opens a dedicated inbox for one‑on‑one conversation. However, the company’s CEO also mentioned that the new messaging feature has a few limitations. Messages are not encrypted at this stage (though this might be possible in a later update). Also, users can only send one-on-one messages, as group chats are not supported yet.

Meanwhile, this update brings a feature users have been asking for since Threads launched in July 2023. Interestingly, Meta reportedly had early versions of the messaging feature ready in 2023, but users did not get access until now. 

Earlier, Instagram head Adam Mosseri admitted that such a setup was not ideal (particularly considering users’ experience) and said that adding direct messaging to Threads was always part of their plan.