Meta Brings Private Messaging to Threads

Meta on Tuesday announced a major update for Threads, its Twitter/X alternative, bringing direct messaging (DMs) and a new highlighting feature to the app as it celebrates its second anniversary. The update marks a meaningful step toward turning Threads into Meta’s next big social platform.

“Messaging has been one of the top requested features,” Meta said in its official announcement. Starting today, users can send DMs directly within Threads — allowing conversations to move from public replies to private one-on-one chats.

To keep things safe, private messaging is currently limited to users aged 18 or older who follow each other on Threads or Instagram. Meta also noted that messaging on Threads is “protected by our robust privacy standards, account protections, and safety infrastructure.”

The company plans to add more messaging features soon, including:

• Message controls to manage who can contact you
• Group messaging
• Inbox filters to help surface important messages

Also launching at the same time is the Threads Highlighter, a new visual element that spotlights trending topics and unique perspectives across the app. Meta described it as a way to “elevate and emphasize unique perspectives that lead to thoughtful conversations.”

This comes after Threads added new personalization features back in May and introduced a new spoiler-protection feature for sensitive text and images last month. Earlier in the year, Meta updated Threads with customizable default feeds, advanced reply settings, improved user controls, and more.

While you still need an Instagram account to use Threads, the platform has carved out a distinct identity for itself. According to Meta, over a third of daily Threads users follow mostly different accounts than they do on Instagram.

As Threads enters its third year, Meta emphasized its commitment to “supporting communities and creators, highlighting fresh perspectives, and maintaining a space where conversations and communities thrive.”