Meta Brings DMs to Threads, Taking Aim at X with Private Messaging and Discovery Tools

Instagram Threads just took a major leap forward. Meta has officially rolled out direct messaging (DM) across Android, iOS, and web, giving users the long-anticipated ability to chat privately on its text-centric platform.

It’s a significant milestone for Threads, which launched as Meta’s alternative to X (formerly Twitter) but lacked one of the most essential features of any modern social app: private communication.

Users aged 18 and above can now send direct messages to mutual followers or to Instagram users who follow them back. Starting a chat is simple: tap the envelope icon at the bottom of the app or hit the pencil icon in your inbox to start a new message.

While this initial rollout is limited to one-on-one chats, Meta has confirmed that this is just phase one. Group messaging, inbox filters, and more granular control over message requests are already in development.

It’s worth noting that direct messages on Threads currently do not include end-to-end encryption. However, Meta says existing privacy and safety protocols are in place.

Meta is already looking beyond basic messaging. A new message request folder, similar to what users experience on X, is in the works, along with tools to manage who can contact you, even if they don’t follow you. Group chats and message filters are also planned to help users better organise their conversations.

Meet Highlighter: Threads’ New Content Discovery Tool

Alongside messaging, Meta has debuted Highlighter, a new feature designed to surface standout posts and spark deeper engagement. It will initially appear in the “For You” feed, with plans to expand across the app.

With these additions, Threads is beginning to break free from its Instagram origins. What started as a text extension of the photo app is fast becoming a standalone space—less chaotic than X, more focused than Instagram, and increasingly equipped for both casual and serious conversation.

Meta’s latest updates suggest one clear direction: Threads isn’t just another social app. It’s being shaped as a calm, functional platform for real conversation—both public and private—with plenty more still to come.