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Threads has a lot going for it, but it’s been missing one of the most core features of any social media app, and that’s the ability to DM people. Well, for a while, we’ve known that the company has been wanting to bring DM’s to Threads, but it’s been struggling. Thanks to a few lines of code found in the app, it appears that Threads might be implementing DMs through Instagram.
Threads has been a proper competitor to X (that’s especially true, as it just landed in Europe), but it’s been really short on features compared to the nearly 20-year-old platform. It’s slowly gaining features, and it’s hopefully regaining that momentum it lost ever since its peak.
DMs are probably one of the biggest features that the platform is missing. Adam Mosseri, Instagram CEO, explained that it’s working on bringing DMs to the platforms, but there’s an issue. Since Threads is so tightly integrated with Instagram, there’s no doubt that Threads’ DMs will basically be Instagram DMs. The problem is that Mosseri doesn’t want users to get duplicate messages. We’re not sure that you want to get a DM through Instagram AND a DM through Threads. I can get very annoying very fast.
New code indicates that Threads could get DMs through partial Instagram integration
This information was found through an APK deep-dive, so you’ll want to take it with a grain of salt. Strings of code found in the latest version of Threads (v315.0.0.29.109) let us know that this feature is in the works. However, Meta could change this at any moment or take it out.
<string name=”APKTOOL_DUMMYVAL_0x7f12004b”>When you message people on Instagram, your most recent chats will show up here.</string>
<string name=”APKTOOL_DUMMYVAL_0x7f12004c”>”You don’t have any chats yet”</string>
<string name=”APKTOOL_DUMMYVAL_0x7f120035″>Messages ·%1$s</string>
<string name=”APKTOOL_DUMMYVAL_0x7f120036″>Messages</string>
<string name=”APKTOOL_DUMMYVAL_0x7f120046″>To see your chats here, open Instagram and log in first.</string>
Some of these lines hint that you’ll be able to see your Instagram messages while in Threads. For instance, the first line of code says “When you message people on Instagram, the most recent chats will show up here.” So, it’s possible that all of your DMs will be handled through Instagram. You may receive only notifications for Instagram DMs. However, you may have the ability to access and read your Instagram DMS through Threads. This will essentially bring DMs to Threads through Instagram.
At this point, we’re not entirely sure about what Threads is planning on doing. So we’re going to have to wait to see how this whole thing pans out.