Can You DM on Threads?【Complete Guide】Privacy Settings & Usage Tips

Spotted an interesting user on Threads but can't find a DM button?

Or received a message "from Threads" and have no idea how to reply?

The answer is: yes — and Threads now has its own messaging feature.

Threads has had its own native DM inbox since July 2025. Conversations stay inside Threads and never move to your Instagram inbox. This complete guide walks you through how Threads DMs work, privacy settings, tips for effective use, and how to use messaging to build deeper community connections.

How Threads DMs Work: 3 Things to Know About the Native Inbox

Meta launched messaging and a dedicated inbox inside the Threads app on 1 July 2025.

1. Messages stay in Threads You don't switch to Instagram — conversations live in the Threads app's own inbox.

2. There's a dedicated message invites folder Meta's announcement notes that Threads messaging has its own invites folder, so you can screen requests before replying.

3. It works on mobile and on the web Since May 2026, the Threads web version also supports sending, receiving, and group chats.

What this means for different users:

• Content creators: Easier to build one-on-one connections with followers
• Brand managers: Can turn Threads interactions into deeper customer service conversations
• Casual users: Stay in touch with new people you meet on Threads

Want to learn more about Threads' full feature set? Check out our Complete Threads Guide 2025.

Point 1 — Can You DM on Threads? How Native Threads Messaging Works

Short Answer: Yes, and It's Native to Threads

Threads has its own built-in DM inbox. Meta launched messaging and a dedicated inbox in the Threads app on 1 July 2025, and extended it to the web (including group messages) in May 2026.

When you send a message to someone via Threads:

1. The message is delivered to the recipient's Threads DM inbox
2. They see and reply in Threads
3. You receive their reply notification in Threads
4. The entire conversation happens inside Threads DMs

This means:

• You need a Threads profile, which you create by signing in with your Instagram or Facebook account
• The messaging feature no longer relies on Instagram's system
• DM privacy settings are adjusted inside Threads

How Threads DMs Flow

Threads User A                          Threads User B
      ↓                                       ↓
  Taps "Send Message" on Threads         Receives a Threads notification
      ↓                                       ↓
  ──────────  Threads DM Inbox  ──────────
                      ↓
              All conversations happen here

Actual flow:

1. You see someone's post on Threads
2. Tap their avatar to visit their profile
3. Tap "Send Message"
4. Compose and send the message on the Threads messaging screen
5. The recipient gets a Threads notification and replies there

Who can message whom? Meta's announcement states that at launch you can message people who follow you on Threads, or people you mutually follow on Instagram, and that the feature is for users aged 18 and over.

Point 2 — How to Open and Use Threads DMs (3 Steps)

Step 1: Find the User You Want to Message

Method A: From a Post

1. See someone's post in your Threads feed
2. Tap the post
3. Tap the user's avatar or name
4. Visit their profile

Method B: Direct Search

1. Tap the "Search" icon in Threads' bottom navigation
2. Type the username
3. Tap the search result
4. Visit their profile

Method C: From Your Followers/Following List

1. Go to your own profile
2. Tap "Following" or "Followers"
3. Find the user you want to message
4. Tap to visit their profile

Step 2: Tap "Send Message"

Button location: On the user's profile page, below their avatar you'll see two buttons:

• Follow (or "Following")
• Send Message

Tap "Send Message."

If you can't find the button, possible reasons include:

1. The account is private and you don't follow them
2. They've blocked you
3. They've disabled DMs

Step 3: Compose Your Message in Threads

Opening the conversation: Tapping "Send Message" opens the conversation with that user inside Threads — you are not redirected to the Instagram app.

Writing your message:

1. Type in the input field at the bottom
2. Tap "Send"

Who can receive it:

• Meta's announcement states you can message people who follow you on Threads, or people you mutually follow on Instagram
• Messages outside an existing conversation land in the recipient's "message invites" folder first

Quick Messaging Tips

Tip 1: Share via the share menu

1. See a Threads post you like
2. Tap the "Share" button (📤)
3. Select "Send Message"
4. Choose a recipient
5. The post is shared as a link

Tip 2: DM after commenting

1. Leave a comment on someone's post
2. If you want to go deeper, tap their avatar
3. Send a DM to continue the conversation

Tip 3: Group messages

1. Threads DMs support group chats (available on the web version since May 2026)
2. Create a group, then share a Threads post into it
3. Discuss with several people at once

New in July 2026: Chat With Meta AI Inside Your DMs

On 27 July 2026, the official Threads account announced that you can talk to Meta AI directly inside your Threads DMs — message the @meta.ai account to start a conversation.

Three things to know before you try it:

1. Replies are text-only for now. The official post states that Meta AI's responses in DMs are limited to text at this stage.
2. The conversation is not public. Connor Hayes, who leads Threads, noted in a same-day post that when you use Meta AI in DMs it does not show up in anyone's feed.
3. You can back out whenever you want. The official post states that you can delete the DM conversation or mute the account at any time — muting works the same way as it does for any other Threads DM, covered below under "Setting 2: Mute a Conversation."

On availability, TechCrunch reported that, according to Meta, the update began rolling out globally on Monday 27 July 2026.

Want more social media DM strategies? Check out our blog for complete one-on-one marketing techniques.

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Want to build deeper fan connections through DMs?

Visit the blog to explore complete social engagement strategies and DM marketing tips!

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Point 3 — Complete Privacy Settings Guide for DMs

Threads DMs have their own privacy settings, adjusted inside the Threads app. The help centre entry "Manage who can send you messages on Threads" is a standalone article, and Instagram's messaging settings do not carry over to Threads.

Three Privacy Modes Explained

Mode 1: Everyone

Definition: Anyone can message you, including strangers.

Best for:

• Public figures, creators (maximize reach)
• Brand customer service accounts (need to receive all inquiries)
• Users open to meeting new people

Pros:

• Won't miss any potential opportunities
• Fans can easily contact you
• Works well for business purposes

Cons:

• May receive spam or harassment
• Inbox can get flooded
• Requires time to filter messages

Mode 2: People You Follow

Definition: Only accounts you actively follow can message you directly.

Best for:

• General users (privacy protection)
• Small-scale creators (precise interactions)
• Anyone who doesn't want to be disturbed by strangers

Pros:

• Effectively filters out messages from strangers
• Keeps your inbox clean
• Balances openness and privacy

Cons:

• May miss potential collaboration opportunities
• Followers can't proactively reach you
• You need to follow someone first to receive their messages

Mode 3: Off

Definition: DMs are completely disabled; nobody can message you.

Best for:

• Users who prioritize privacy above all
• Accounts that only want to broadcast content
• People who need a temporary break from messages

Pros:

• Zero message disturbances
• Maximum privacy protection

Cons:

• Can't have any private conversations
• Loses all one-on-one communication opportunities
• May impact social media community management

How Message Requests Work

What is a Message Request? Messages from non-followers (or people you don't follow) go into a "Message Requests" folder instead of your main inbox.

Viewing message requests:

1. Open your Threads DM inbox
2. Find the "message invites" folder
3. Tap to view

Handling message requests:

• Accept: Conversation moves to your main inbox for normal chatting
• Delete: Removes the message without notifying the sender
• Block: Blocks the user; they can no longer message you

Advanced Privacy Settings

Setting 1: Restrict a Specific User

If someone's messages bother you but you don't want to block them:

1. Open the conversation with that user
2. Tap their username at the top
3. Select "Restrict"
4. Their messages will be hidden in message requests, and they won't know

Setting 2: Mute a Conversation

Don't want notifications from a specific conversation:

1. Open the conversation
2. Tap the username at the top
3. Select "Mute Messages"
4. Choose the mute duration

Setting 3: Block and Unblock

Blocking:

1. In the conversation or on their profile page
2. Tap the "⋯" menu
3. Select "Block"

Want to learn how to tell if you've been blocked? Check out our Complete Guide to Knowing If You're Blocked on Threads.

Point 4 — Threads DM Tips and Best Practices

For Personal Users: Building Genuine Connections

Tip 1: Give your opening message context

Don't just send "Hey" or "You there?" — people often ignore these.

Good opening:

"I saw the café recommendations you shared on Threads — could you tell me where that place is? I'd love to check it out!"

Poor opening:

"Hey"

Tip 2: Engage before you message

Like and comment on someone's posts a few times to make an initial impression before sending a DM. Your success rate will be much higher.

Tip 3: Respect their response pace

Don't fire off multiple messages in a row. Give them time to reply. If they don't respond, don't follow up with "Why aren't you replying?"

Tip 4: Give value, don't just take

Offering value:

"I saw you're looking for a photographer — my friend actually does that! Happy to make an introduction."

Only asking for things:

"Can you like and share my posts?"

For Creators: Fan Relationship Strategies

Strategy 1: Proactively thank engaged fans

Periodically DM fans who frequently comment or share your content:

"Thank you for always supporting my work! Your comments really motivate me to keep creating."

Strategy 2: Gather fan opinions

Use DMs to ask fans what content they want to see:

"I'm planning new content and would love to know — are you interested in [topic]?"

Strategy 3: Share exclusive information

Give fans who message you small perks:

"Here's a photo of a new product that hasn't been released yet — sharing it with you first!"

Strategy 4: Fast replies build loyalty

Try not to leave fan messages sitting for days. Replying, and replying promptly, tends to keep the relationship going.

Practical tools:

• Prepare a few reusable reply templates (saved responses)
• Use message labels ("Needs Reply," "Handled")
• Dedicate a fixed time each day to reply to messages in bulk

For Brands and Businesses: Customer Service and Sales

Use Case 1: Handling Customer Inquiries

Standard reply flow:

1. Thank them for reaching out
2. Confirm the issue
3. Provide a solution or referral
4. Ask if there's anything else they need

Example:

"Thanks for contacting us! Regarding sizing — our S fits heights of 155–165 cm. Here's the size chart: [link]. Any other questions?"

Use Case 2: Lead Generation

When someone asks about a product in Threads comments:

1. Leave a brief reply in the comments
2. DM them with more detailed information
3. Guide them to your website or purchase link

Use Case 3: Order Tracking and After-Sales

Proactive check-in:

"Your order from last week has shipped and should arrive tomorrow. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!"

Use Case 4: VIP Customer Exclusive Service

Offer exclusive perks to high-value customers via DM:

"Thank you for your continued support! Here's an exclusive 20% off code just for you: VIP888"

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Point 5 — Threads DMs vs Instagram DMs: Key Differences

Threads DMs and Instagram DMs are now two separate systems, and they differ noticeably in what they can do.

Feature Comparison Table

When to Use Which

Situation 1: First contact with someone new

• Threads: Great, because you can reference their post as a conversation starter
• IG: Great, if their Stories or posts caught your attention

Situation 2: Deep, ongoing conversations

• Threads: Basic — limited features
• IG: Better — supports voice, video, stickers

Situation 3: Business customer service

• Threads: Good for initial inquiries
• IG: Better for in-depth follow-up service

Situation 4: Sharing content

• Threads: For sharing Threads posts to discuss
• IG: For sharing IG posts or Stories

Situation 5: Group discussions

• Threads: Group chats are supported
• IG: Supports creating group chats

Real-World Experience Differences

Pros: Everything stays in one app

• Messages and post interactions both live in Threads — no app switching
• Works on both mobile and the web
• A dedicated message invites folder lets you screen requests first

Cons: Feature limitations

• No voice messages and no video calls
• DM settings are separate from Instagram's, so you manage each one on its own

Want to learn about the rest of Threads' features? Check out our Complete Threads Guide 2025.

Point 6 — Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can you DM on Threads?

A: Yes — and it's a native Threads feature.

When you tap "Send Message" on Threads, the conversation opens inside Threads, and the messages stay in your Threads DM inbox.

Key point: You need a Threads profile, which you create by signing in with an Instagram or Facebook account.

Q2: Why doesn't "Send Message" do anything when I tap it?

Possible reasons:

Reason 1: Private account If the account is private and you don't follow them, you can't message them.

Reason 2: Blocked If they've blocked you, you won't see a "Send Message" button, or tapping it does nothing.

Reason 3: DMs turned off They've selected "Off" under "who can send you messages."

Reason 4: You don't meet the messaging criteria Meta's announcement states you can only message people who follow you on Threads, or people you mutually follow on Instagram, and the feature is for users aged 18 and over.

Solutions:

1. Check whether their account is public or private
2. Check if you've been blocked

Q3: Where will my recipient see the message I sent through Threads?

A: In their Threads DM inbox.

They'll receive:

• A Threads message notification
• Messages outside an existing conversation land in the "message invites" folder first

Note: The message does not go to their Instagram inbox — they can view and reply inside Threads.

Q4: Can I view messages inside Threads?

A: Yes. The Threads app has its own DM inbox, and the web version has supported sending and receiving messages since May 2026.

Q5: When someone replies, will I get a notification in Threads?

A: Yes — Threads has its own DM notifications. Messages and notifications both stay in Threads and are not forwarded to Instagram.

When they reply:

• You'll receive a push notification from Threads
• You read it in the Threads DM inbox

Tip: Make sure Threads notifications are enabled.

Q6: Can I send voice messages or make video calls?

A: No. The Threads messaging section of the official help centre has no entries for voice messages or video calls.

Alternative: For voice or video you have to use the Instagram conversation with that person instead — that's an Instagram feature, and it is a separate system from Threads DMs.

Q7: Where do I adjust DM settings — in Threads or IG?

A: Threads DM settings are adjusted inside Threads.

The Threads messaging section of the official help centre has its own entries, including "Manage who can send you messages on Threads," muting conversation notifications, deleting conversations, reporting a direct message, and group chats.

What you can adjust:

• Who can message you
• Message invites
• Blocking and restricting

Instagram's messaging settings govern Instagram DMs and do not carry over to Threads.

Q8: If I delete Instagram, can I still use Threads?

A: It depends on which account your Threads profile was created with.

Effects:

• ✅ You can browse the Threads feed
• ✅ You can post, like, and comment
• ⚠️ A Threads profile is created by signing in with an Instagram or Facebook account, so deleting that account affects your Threads profile — but Threads DMs are a native feature and do not depend on Instagram DMs.

Recommendation: Before you delete anything, check which account your Threads profile is tied to (official help).

Q9: Can I chat with Meta AI in Threads DMs?

A: Yes. On 27 July 2026 the official Threads account announced that you can start a conversation by messaging the @meta.ai account inside your Threads DMs.

Limits and how to opt out:

• The official post states that replies are text-only for now
• The official post states that you can delete the conversation or mute the account at any time
• Connor Hayes, who leads Threads, noted in a same-day post that using Meta AI in DMs does not show up in anyone's feed
• TechCrunch reported that, according to Meta, the update began rolling out globally on 27 July 2026

Want more Threads tips and FAQ answers? Check out our Complete Threads Guide 2025.

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Key Takeaways and Action Steps for Threads DMs

Summary

Core characteristics of Threads DMs:

1. Native DMs: All messages live in the Threads inbox
2. Three privacy modes: Everyone / People You Follow / Off
3. Simple to use: 3 steps to start a conversation
4. Managed separately: Blocking, restricting, and message invites are set in Threads

Recommendations by User Type

General users:

• Set privacy to "People You Follow" for a balance of openness and protection
• Give your opening messages context to increase reply rates
• Check message requests regularly so you don't miss anything important

Creators and KOLs:

• Set to "Everyone" to maximize fan interaction opportunities
• Reply to fan messages quickly to build loyalty
• Use saved responses to improve efficiency
• Proactively thank your most active fans

Brands and businesses:

• Treat DMs as an important customer service channel
• Set up a standard SOP for responses
• Use labels to categorize and manage messages
• Offer exclusive service to VIP customers

DMs Are the Key to Community Building

Build brand awareness through public Threads posts — then deepen one-on-one relationships through DMs. That's a complete social media strategy.

Remember:

• Genuine interaction beats canned responses
• Quick replies build trust
• Respect the other person's privacy and boundaries
• Offer value rather than just asking for things

Want more Threads community-building strategies and hands-on tips? Visit our blog for the complete social media marketing knowledge base!

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References

1. Instagram Help, "Direct messaging privacy settings" (2024)
2. The Verge, "How Threads messaging works" (2024)
3. Social Media Examiner, "Threads DM Strategy for Creators" (2024)
4. HubSpot, "Social Media DM Best Practices" (2024)
5. Hootsuite, "Instagram DM Management Guide" (2024)
6. Official Threads account, Threads post (27 July 2026): https://www.threads.com/@threads/post/DbTW8hgESS2/
7. Connor Hayes (head of Threads), Threads post (27 July 2026): https://www.threads.com/@conno_r/post/DbTWrz4G-Hh/
8. TechCrunch, "Threads users can now chat with Meta AI in their DMs" (27 July 2026): https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/27/threads-users-can-now-chat-with-meta-ai-in-their-dms/