The Threads team has decided to not work on a separate inbox or a direct messaging system for the social network despite user demands. This decision comes as a disappointment to many users who were eagerly awaiting this feature.
Instead of developing a new messaging system, Threads will continue to use the Instagram inbox for private messages. While this may be convenient for some users who are already familiar with the Instagram interface, it poses a challenge for those with private profiles.
Recently, app researcher Adwaith Varma posted about an unreleased feature on Threads that allowed users to send messages to someone’s Instagram inbox directly from the Threads app. This feature was tested with a limited set of users but is no longer active. However, this indicates that the company may consider implementing features to enable messaging from Threads in the future.
Threads’ decision not to develop a separate inbox contrasts with its rivals X and Bluesky. X/Twitter has had a direct messaging system for years and has even added features like message editing under Elon Musk’s leadership. Similarly, Bluesky recently launched its direct messaging product and plans to add end-to-end encryption support.
Although Threads is not currently focused on building a separate inbox, Instagram head Adam Mosseri has hinted at the possibility of integrating messaging features more seamlessly between Instagram and Threads in the future. This could offer a better user experience for those who have different social circles on each platform.
While Threads’ decision may disappoint some users, it is important to consider the complexities of integrating a new messaging system into an existing platform. As the company continues to explore ways to enhance user experience, there may still be hope for a separate inbox feature in the future.