Threads releases ‘DMs’ feature with full message controls

Meta-owned Threads has officially launched the highly requested direct messages (DMs) feature, allowing users to message people directly, without switching to Instagram.

The company revealed that DMs will begin rolling out to users globally alongside a new visual element called “highlighter.” According to Meta, the latter will emphasise interesting perspectives and conversations, starting with Trending Topics.

Threads introduces DMs feature 

At launch, Threads DMs offer a basic set of features. They’ll support one-on-one chats, preset emoji reactions, the ability to report spam, and mute DMs (as on Instagram).

Other features, such as group messaging, inbox filters, and more advanced message controls, will be integrated in a later release.

This results in that currently, you can’t block a follower or mutual from messaging you — you can only block them on Threads, which will also block them on Instagram.

It is worth noting that DMs will be available for users 18 and up in most markets where Threads is available, except for Japan, Australia, the UK, and the EU.

With the addition of DMs, Threads becomes more competitive with other text-first social apps like X and Bluesky, where users can engage with one another directly or in group chats.

Threads VP of Products Emily Dalton Smith stated: “We’re not encrypting our DMs,” and “It’s really about just connecting directly and talking to people about whatever is happening now, which I think makes encryption less core to the experience.”

She said that DMs are meant to build on the community that people have created in the public space on Threads — a network that’s shaping up to be entirely different from its parent app, Instagram.