Threads’ DM Feature Catches Up, But is It Too Late?

• Threads now have a native direct messaging feature, addressing major user frustrations from its earlier Instagram-dependent setup.
• While the rollout brings needed functionality, it opens new questions about privacy, user control, and how brands should adapt.

The first time I tried to reply to someone on Threads, I got lost. Not figuratively—redirected. I tapped the message, and suddenly I was opening Instagram. It felt jarring like being told to change rooms mid-conversation. For months, that was the routine.

Threads had potential. The early days felt like a new space to say things that didn’t quite fit on Instagram or TikTok. A feed with breathing room. But when conversations needed to go private, the experience fell flat.

Until now.

A Frustration That Built Over Time

For a long time, Threads didn’t have its inbox. If someone messaged me, I had to piece it together across apps. Notifications were missed. Responses were late. Once, I completely lost a collab opportunity because the message sat unread in an Instagram request folder.

You didn’t just feel disconnected—you felt like the app wasn’t finished.

Plenty of us talked about it. On Reddit, Threads itself, group chats—everyone was asking why a text-first app had no way to talk one-on-one.

Now There’s an Envelope Icon—and It Works

Meta finally responded. As of July 2025, Threads now has in-app DMs. There’s a clean envelope icon. You can message without switching. Real notifications. Message threads that stay in Threads.

It’s early, but the basics are there: text, emoji reactions, muting, and spam tools. Group chats aren’t live yet. No encryption either. But for the first time, it feels like a real messaging system.

It’s available to users 18 and older. And the design? Minimal, but it fits.

Still Waiting on the Rest

There are things I wish it had:

• Group chats for creators or teams
• Message filters to manage inbox chaos
• A way to fully turn off DMs if needed

There’s talk that Meta is working on all of this. For now, the lack of filtering feels risky. People want connection, but not at the cost of safety or privacy. Especially when unsolicited messages can feel like spam or worse.

Some users liked the old public-only model. No DMs meant no awkward outreach. That’s changed, and Threads has to handle that change thoughtfully.

Messaging with Intent

Before the update, it was impossible to manage engagement seriously. Brands didn’t know where messages came from. Personal accounts, like mine, had to juggle comments, DMs on Instagram, and disconnected feedback.

Now, at least, everything from Threads stays in Threads. That makes a difference.

For those managing content or partnerships:

• Keep an eye on the Threads notifications directly
• Let your bio guide people on how to reach you
• Create regular reminders on your feed for contact preferences

It’s still manual, but more manageable.

The Numbers Back the Buzz

After the DM update, app usage ticked up. Reports suggest an uptick in time spent on Threads during the first-week post-update, though specific figures may vary. Not a viral spike, but enough to notice.

And yes, Threads is still catching up:

Still, it’s progress. And in digital spaces, momentum counts.

Threads Find Its Voice

Meta may be late, but it’s not absent. Threads DMs show they’re paying attention—at least now. The feature feels like a step away from being an Instagram add-on and more like a standalone platform.

It also opens new pathways. Now, when someone replies to a post with interest or a question, there’s a private place for the follow-up. Conversations don’t die in public threads.

So, Should You Re-Engage?

If you stepped away from Threads, it might be time to peek back in. You can hold a conversation now. If you’re just joining, start light:

• Keep your settings clear
• Set boundaries early
• Make messaging work for you, not against you

It’s not fully there yet, but it’s close enough to be useful.

For Brands, Creators, and Anyone Juggling Platforms

Start revisiting your Threads strategy. The platform isn’t just a megaphone now—it’s a two-way channel. Update your team workflows. Try a DM call-to-action. Track if the new feature changes response rates.

Threads are built into layers. It started slow, maybe too slow. But it’s catching up—and that opens space for those who pay attention.

The DM update doesn’t erase the months of frustration. But it gives Threads a chance to compete. The next few updates will show whether this momentum lasts.

For now, the envelope icon is more than a symbol. It’s a signal: Threads is listening.