Threads direct messaging update: Here’s what’s new
Threads is finally delivering one of its most requested features: direct messaging. For months, users have been asking for a way to privately message one another without switching back to Instagram. Now, starting July 1, 2025, Threads is rolling out its own standalone DM inbox. This long-awaited update reflects Meta’s broader vision to establish Threads as a fully independent social platform—one that can compete directly with X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, and other text-focused networks. With this launch, Threads is stepping out from Instagram’s shadow, bringing more autonomy and core messaging tools to its growing global audience.
Image Credits:Meta/Threads
Direct messaging arrives on Threads at last
Until now, Threads users had to jump over to Instagram to send a private message—creating friction and defeating the purpose of having a separate social app. That changes with the rollout of Threads’ native DMs, a move that dramatically improves the app’s usability and user experience. Starting with one-on-one chats, users will be able to react with preset emojis, report spam, and mute unwanted messages. While the current version doesn’t support group chats or advanced message filtering, Meta confirms these will be part of a future update. Notably, you can’t yet block someone just from sending you a message unless you fully block them on Threads (which also blocks them on Instagram). Instead, users manage who can message them based on who they follow—a system similar to other decentralized and privacy-focused platforms.
Who gets access to Threads DMs—and what’s missing?
The new Threads direct messaging feature is rolling out gradually across most regions where the app is available, but there are a few exceptions. Users in Japan, Australia, the U.K., and the EU won’t see DMs just yet. And even if you’re in a supported region, DMs are currently only available to users who are 18 years or older. That age restriction aligns with Meta’s increasing focus on online safety and user protections. Still, privacy advocates have raised concerns, especially because Threads currently has no plans to offer end-to-end encryption for messages. Unlike X, which is testing encrypted messaging in X Chat, Threads is prioritizing simplicity over security—for now. This could become a key area of user feedback as messaging becomes a bigger part of the app’s core experience.
Threads grows up: Competing with X and Bluesky
The arrival of direct messaging on Threads marks a key milestone in its evolution. Once tightly linked to Instagram for functionality and identity, Threads is now establishing itself as a standalone platform. With DMs in place, the app is moving closer to the utility and social dynamics of competitors like X and Bluesky. For instance, X offers robust group chats, encrypted DMs, and topic-based community engagement. Threads is starting to bridge that gap, although with a more curated and less chaotic approach. Alongside DMs, Threads is also rolling out a new feature called highlighter, which will bring visibility to trending conversations—another sign that Meta sees Threads not just as a Twitter alternative, but as a place for meaningful, public discourse. As these features expand, Threads is clearly aiming to be more than just a sidekick to Instagram. It's shaping up to be its own destination for real-time conversation and private connection alike.
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