Meta finally adds DMs to Threads!

Nearly two years after its highly publicized launch, Threads is finally addressing one of its users’ most persistent complaints: the absence of private messaging. Meta has officially confirmed it is rolling out a direct messaging (DM) feature on Threads, marking a significant development in the platform’s evolution and aligning it more closely with user expectations for a modern social network.

Since July 2023, when Threads burst onto the scene as Meta’s answer to X (formerly Twitter), many users have expressed frustration over the inability to send private messages within the app. The only alternative was to redirect conversations to Instagram—an inconvenient workaround that disrupted the user experience and often deterred deeper engagement.

Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram and a leading figure in the Threads initiative, acknowledged the gap. “We know how important messaging is,” he stated, emphasizing that this capability has been among the most requested features since Threads launched. It’s a sentiment that reflects the reality of how people use social media today: for real-time public posts, but also for meaningful private conversations. Without a DM function, Threads has long felt like an incomplete product, especially for users accustomed to seamless messaging on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or even X.

Now, that gap is beginning to close. Meta has started testing direct messaging with a limited number of users in three countries: Hong Kong, Thailand, and Argentina. This cautious rollout will help the company gather feedback, monitor performance, and refine the experience before expanding globally. While no firm timeline has been announced for a wider release, Meta has assured users that access will broaden “soon.”

Those included in the trial will notice a new envelope icon added to the primary navigation bar—at the bottom of the screen for mobile users and on the left-hand menu for desktop. This seemingly small interface change signifies a major shift in how Threads aims to be used. For content creators, influencers, and brands, it means being able to communicate with followers directly without the need to direct them to another Meta platform. For everyday users, it brings convenience and a more coherent social experience.

However, the introduction of DMs to Threads may also create mixed feelings for some. On one hand, it’s a welcome improvement that enhances functionality and usability. On the other, it introduces yet another inbox to manage—a digital burden that not everyone will appreciate. Still, the inclusion of private messaging is widely regarded as essential for Threads if it is to seriously compete in the social media landscape.

Beyond messaging, Threads has also taken steps to solidify its web presence. The platform recently transitioned from its original domain, threads.net, to the much simpler and more intuitive threads.com. The change may seem cosmetic at first glance, but it reflects Meta’s broader strategy of presenting Threads as a mature and polished product. The original domain was a temporary solution, used during the initial launch phase because Meta didn’t own the .com version at the time. Securing and switching to the preferred domain is a strategic move that signals long-term investment and confidence in the product.

The domain update came alongside other subtle but impactful upgrades to the web app. These include a new floating post composer that remains accessible as users scroll—making it easier to draft and share thoughts in real-time—and improved access to saved and liked posts. Collectively, these refinements show Meta’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the user experience, even if the pace of innovation has sometimes been slower than expected.

In recent months, Threads has worked to regain momentum after its initial launch hype faded. Once hailed as the platform that might finally challenge X’s dominance in the space of microblogging and real-time discourse, Threads has faced the challenge of keeping users engaged. The absence of essential features like DMs, trending topics, and advanced search tools made it difficult to sustain the excitement of its early days. This new wave of updates could help reverse that trend.

Introducing direct messaging is more than just checking off a box. It represents a shift in how Meta envisions the role of Threads—not just as a public broadcast platform, but as a space for private exchange and personal connection. Whether it’s sharing a reaction to a post, reaching out to a friend, or discussing something off the record, DMs are a core part of how people interact online. Threads without them was incomplete.

With DMs on the horizon and a cleaner web interface already in place, Threads appears to be entering a new phase—one in which it might begin to fulfill its original promise. Meta still has work to do, and users will be watching to see how quickly and effectively these features expand. But for now, the arrival of direct messaging feels like a long-overdue correction that may finally make Threads feel whole.