The New DM Threads Could Be so Much Better

Posted on by

It may be a little late, but Threads finally has a standalone DM feature that’s independent of Instagram. The problem is, it’s really basic.

For now, you can only message people you follow and who follow you. This will also work for your mutual Instagram followers, even if you don’t follow each other on Threads — a reminder that Threads is actually an Instagram product.

Starting a DM in Threads

Once you update the app on your iPhone or Android (or access the website on the web), you’ll see a new Messages icon on the bottom toolbar next to the Home button. Once you’re on the new Messages page, you can tap the “new message” button in the top-right corner to start a chat. You can search for a profile or choose one of the suggested options to start a conversation.

This Messages tab is the only way to start a new chat right now. You can’t send someone a direct message directly from their profile, even if you both follow each other. However, you can now share a Threads post with any of your followers directly in DM. When I share a Threads post with a friend, it shows up in the Threads DM window, not in Instagram DM.

What do you think at the moment?

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

After sending a message, you can long-press it to unsend it. You can also long-press messages to react to them, reply inline, or copy them. But that’s it. There’s no support for images, voice messages, chat threads, or many of the common features built into DMs and messaging apps these days.

Threads DM still needs a lot of work

Threads DMs is pretty limited at the moment. But there are a number of features in development that you can expect, including:

  • Manage messages : A new moderation feature lets you decide who can message you, and limit private messages to people who follow you on Threads or Instagram.

  • Message Requests folder : A dedicated Message Requests folder for new messages ensures that spam doesn’t end up directly in your personal messages.

  • Group Messages : Topics will allow for group conversations in a later update.

  • Filters : Topics also provide filters for finding and replying to messages.

More…

Tech

Leave a Reply