Threads plans to use Instagram's DM feature, and 'Threads does not plan to have its own DM feature,' Meta said.

Meta is reportedly testing a feature that will allow users to send direct messages (DMs) to Instagram directly from their Threads profile screen. The feature is already available to a small number of Threads users on a trial basis.

Meta is testing messaging capabilities for Threads, but don't call them DMs

https://www.engadget.com/meta-is-testing-messaging-capabilities-for-threads-but-dont-call-them-dms-213536876.html

It has been reported that when viewing other users' profiles on Threads, a 'Message' button appears where 'Mention' used to be. When you press this 'Message' button, a 'Send on Instagram' input field appears.

A Meta spokesperson explained to Engadget that the message button is 'testing the ability to send messages from Threads to Instagram.'

Threads does not have a DM function that allows you to send private messages to specific users. However, you need an Instagram account to create a Threads account, so you can access the other person's Instagram account by looking at their profile. Therefore, instead of using the DM function, you could send a DM via Instagram.

The feature being tested on Threads this time will allow you to send messages directly to the other person's Instagram account from the Threads profile screen. However, Threads does not yet have its own inbox function, and there are no plans to allow DMs between Threads accounts. According to Engadget, a Meta spokesperson emphasized that 'this test is not to test Threads' own DM function.'

Regarding the lack of an inbox for DMs on Threads, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri said in November 2023, 'If we can't ultimately make the Instagram inbox available on Threads, we'll be forced to make a tough choice between mirroring the Instagram inbox on Threads and solving the app notification problem, or building a completely separate inbox on Threads from Instagram and dealing with having two redundant message threads with friends with the same name in two different apps.' Neither of these seems great to me.

'I want to make Instagram's inbox work for me, so I can send a DM from Threads without having to switch apps,' Mosseri said. 'We need to make it easier to control messaging, improve the inbox experience, and make it more inclusive.'