DMs are coming to Threads, whether you want them or not
Threads, Mark Zuckerberg's answer to X, has been around for nearly two years. And soon, users will finally be able to send direct messages (DMs) on the app.
Until now, anyone wanting to DM someone on Threads had to jump over to Instagram. That workaround makes some sense — you can’t have a Threads account without also having an Instagram account — but switching between apps is a clunky experience, especially on a platform built for quick, conversational posts.
Meta, which owns Threads along with Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, says it’s starting to test an in-app DM inbox in select markets, including Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina. The plan is to roll the feature out more broadly in the near future.
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"Our community has been asking for a way to continue their 1:1 conversations without breaking the flow by switching to another app," Threads said in a press release. "By keeping the conversation within the app, we’re making it easier for users to connect and build on each other’s perspectives."
Some users do seem eager for DMs. One post that read, "Kinda wish Threads had a DM because I rly be wanting to talk to some of you," got over 375 likes.
But not everyone is on board. Many Threads users actually seem to enjoy the platform’s DM-free simplicity. A June 3 post with more than 600 likes and 100 reposts said: "I actually love that Threads has no DMs tbh." Replies echoed the sentiment: "DM-free Threads is the reason I can actually enjoy posting again," one user said. Another wrote, "It’s why I'm never leaving." One popular post simply read, "reasons why I love Threads 1 – no one can dm you," and racked up thousands of likes.
So, will people embrace DMs on Threads? Time will tell. But whether you’re excited or dreading it, one thing’s for sure: They’re coming.
Topics Social Media Meta
Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.
Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.
