The Threads team has not started working on a separate inbox or direct messaging system for the social network, despite user demands. Instagram inbox will continue to be used for messaging within the Threads app. However, there is a possibility that the company might make it easier for users to send messages to Instagram directly from the Threads app.
App researcher Adwaith Varma shared an unreleased Threads feature that included a new messaging button on users’ profiles. This button allowed users to quickly send a message to someone’s Instagram inbox. Although this feature was part of a public test with a limited set of users and is no longer active, it hints at the potential for introducing messaging features within Threads. Currently, the only way to privately message a user is by tapping on the Instagram icon on their profile and using the Instagram inbox.
Threads remains heavily integrated with Instagram, which may not be ideal for users with private profiles. Using Instagram DMs is also not the most effective way to contact someone who is not very active on the platform. This approach sets Threads apart from its competitors like X and Bluesky, who have dedicated direct messaging systems with additional features.
While Threads is not actively working on a separate inbox, Instagram head Adam Mosseri has acknowledged the possibility of introducing one if integrating the messaging systems becomes challenging. Mosseri highlighted the similarity in the people followed on both Instagram and Threads, but also recognized that some users have separate social graphs and timelines on each platform. This suggests that a separate inbox on Threads might be considered in the future.
The decision of Threads not to focus on building a separate inbox contrasts with its competitors like X and Bluesky, who have already introduced direct messaging systems with advanced features. While X/Twitter allows editing messages and Bluesky plans to add end-to-end encryption support, Threads continues to rely on Instagram’s messaging infrastructure.
While Threads currently lacks a separate inbox or direct messaging system, there are indications that the company might introduce new messaging features in the future. With user demands for more messaging capabilities within the app, Threads may need to consider developing its own messaging platform to enhance user experience and compete with its rivals effectively.