Threads Finally Adds a Standalone DM Inbox

TL;DR

• Meta’s Threads app will begin testing its own direct messaging (DM) inbox, independent from Instagram DMs.
  
• The initial rollout covers users in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina, with broader expansion planned.
  
• One-on-one chats only will be supported in the first phase, not group messaging.
  
• Meta responds to user demand for in-app private conversations without switching to Instagram.
  
• This feature follows similar DM rollouts by Bluesky and X’s XChat, placing Threads in the direct messaging race.
  

Threads Gets Independent Messaging Feature

Meta has announced a long-anticipated upgrade for Threads: a dedicated direct message (DM) inbox. CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed that the company will begin testing a standalone messaging system, separate from Instagram, allowing Threads users to message each other within the app itself.

This development marks a significant shift in Meta’s cross-platform strategy. Until now, Threads users could only message through Instagram, creating a fragmented experience and limiting the app’s functionality as a true standalone social network.

Initial Testing in Select Markets

The new DM feature will first launch in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina, with Meta indicating that a global rollout is expected to follow. The company stated that the current version will only support one-on-one conversations and that group messaging is not yet part of the offering.

This limited launch will serve as a testing ground for stability, user feedback, and feature performance before a broader expansion.

Why Threads Needs Its Own Inbox

Meta’s decision comes after months of internal debate. In 2023, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri publicly discussed the idea of making Instagram’s DM inbox work natively for Threads. At the time, Mosseri argued that many users would have similar social graphs across both platforms.

However, reality has shown otherwise. Threads, which debuted in July 2023, has grown into a distinct ecosystem. Users often have different follower bases than on Instagram, driven by Threads’ public, text-centric design—more akin to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky.

As a result, Meta has now acknowledged that the user experience demands in-app communication, especially as Threads builds its identity apart from Instagram.

Competition from Bluesky and X

The timing of Threads’ DM feature also reflects intensifying competition. In May 2024, Bluesky rolled out its DM system, giving users a seamless messaging layer.

Meanwhile, X, under Elon Musk, recently introduced XChat, an upgraded messaging experience that includes group chats, vanishing messages, and file sharing.

These developments underscore that DM capabilities are now table stakes for social media platforms. Without it, Threads risks being seen as incomplete or outdated in a fast-moving market.

Meta’s Reasoning: Listening to Users

Meta says its primary motivation for building a standalone inbox was user demand. According to internal feedback, many Threads users wanted a way to conduct private, real-time conversations without jumping between apps.

Given the increasing divergence in how people use Threads compared to Instagram, a unified messaging inbox no longer made sense.

Threads users have organically created different networks, follow patterns, and engagement styles, and this update reflects that growing autonomy.

Limitations and Future Plans

As promising as the announcement is, the DM feature remains limited:

• Only one-on-one messaging is supported initially
  
• No file sharing, media embeds, or group chats yet
  
• Geographically limited beta rollout
  

Meta has not yet provided a timeline for when full functionality or global availability will arrive. However, the company indicated that user feedback from this test group will heavily influence next steps.

Strategic Importance for Meta

The rollout of standalone DMs is not just about convenience—it’s about platform identity. Threads was originally built as an Instagram-adjacent network, benefiting from automatic user onboarding. But as it matures, the need for core social functions to exist natively becomes more urgent.

This move signals Meta’s intent to establish Threads as a viable alternative to X, complete with its own messaging infrastructure. It also opens the door for future monetization strategies tied to engagement and communications.

Threads vs. Competitor Messaging Features

Source: TechCrunch on Threads DMs
Bluesky DMs
XChat Launch Details

Outlook: Messaging as Core Infrastructure

As Threads moves closer to becoming a full-featured social app, the introduction of native DMs marks a critical milestone. It acknowledges user behavior, responds to market standards, and sets the stage for more robust functionality down the line.

Whether Threads can compete head-to-head with platforms like X and Bluesky depends not just on features, but how quickly and globally Meta can scale them.

For now, the message is clear: Threads is no longer just a text feed—it’s becoming a social ecosystem.