Threads Begins Testing Its Own Direct Messages Features in Select Markets

Threads

Threads is rolling out a test for Direct Messages (DMs) in select markets, including Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina, with plans to expand to other regions. This will be a separate and distinct inbox from Instagram DMs.

Why It Matters: DMs have been one of the most requested features from the Threads community. While users could previously switch to Instagram to message someone from Threads, that added friction to the experience. A native DM inbox offers a more seamless, in-app experience where users can naturally connect with others in a more intimate way.

Although Threads and Instagram remain tightly integrated, Instagram has been gradually positioning Threads as a more independent app.

One major step in that direction was removing the Instagram graph import during onboarding, which had previously prompted users to follow the same accounts they did on Instagram. Giving Threads its own messaging experience further supports that shift and makes Threads feel more like a self-sufficient social platform rather than an extension of Instagram.