How to DM on Threads: Messages, Requests and Group Chats

For a long time the only way to message someone you found on Threads was to hop across to Instagram. Threads now has its own inbox, with requests, group chats and an unsend button. Instagram's help centre, which also runs Threads support, says messaging isn't available to everyone yet, so if you can't see the Messages tab, update the app and check again.

Here's how sending, receiving and managing messages works, straight from those help pages.

Send a message on Threads

1. Tap Messages at the bottom of the app.
2. Tap Compose in the top right.
3. Select the person you'd like to message.
4. Tap Message..., then type your message.
5. Tap Send.

You'll be able to see when someone has seen your message, so read receipts are on from the start.

Who you can message, and why the help pages disagree

This is the bit that confuses people, because two of the official pages say slightly different things. The send-a-message page says you can only message people if they follow you on Threads or if you follow each other on Instagram. The who-can-I-message page says you can send a message to anyone, and that it may appear as a message request depending on their settings.

The likely reason is the gradual rollout: the rules on your account depend on which version you have. In practice, the safest assumption is that a message to someone who doesn't know you will land in their requests folder, not their inbox.

Message requests: the text-only rule

When you message someone who doesn't follow you or isn't already connected to you, Threads sends it as a message request, and it can only contain text. You can't send photos or videos until they accept. Once they accept, your future messages go straight to their inbox.

That matters if you're reaching out for business. Write a first message that stands on its own in plain words, because there's no screenshot or portfolio image to lean on yet.

Control who can message you

1. Tap Profile or your profile picture in the bottom right.
2. Tap Menu in the top right.
3. Tap Privacy, then Messages.
4. Below Who can message you, choose your setting, such as Only people you follow or Anyone.

If you choose Anyone, people you don't follow can request to message you, and those requests go into a separate folder for you to accept or ignore. Profiles you've blocked can't send requests at all, though Instagram notes that if someone has more than one Threads profile, you may need to block each one. There's more on that in how to make Threads private.

Share a post in a DM

You don't have to copy links. Below any post, tap Share, search for or tap a person, add a message if you want and tap Send. It's the quickest way to start a conversation about something you've both seen.

Group chats, unsending and deleting

What you want	How Threads does it
Start a group chat	Messages, Compose, Create group chat, pick people (they must follow you on Threads or you follow each other on Instagram), send
Unsend a message	Open the conversation, tap and hold the message, tap Unsend
Delete a conversation	Messages, tap and hold the conversation, Delete, then confirm

Two catches. Unsending removes the message for others, but they may already have seen it, and Instagram says an unsent message could still be included in a report if a surrounding message is reported. Deleting a conversation only removes it from your inbox; it stays in everyone else's.

Threads DMs aren't Instagram DMs

Instagram's help page is explicit: your conversations on Threads are separate from Instagram, and a message you send someone on Threads won't appear in your Instagram chat with the same person. If you've linked the two apps, that's easy to forget. If you'd rather keep them further apart, see what you can and can't unlink.

Writing a first DM that gets a reply

• Say where you saw them: the post or reply that made you get in touch.
• Say why you're writing in one sentence, not three.
• Ask one small question they can answer in a line.
• Leave links and attachments for later; a request can't carry media anyway.

If they reply, you're in their inbox and can share examples, photos or a link. If they don't, leave it. Chasing an unanswered request is the quickest way to get restricted.

Don't overdo it

Threads has limits to stop unwanted messages such as spam. If you're warned about sending too many and keep going, Instagram says you may not be able to send more DMs for a while. Mass outreach on a brand new inbox is a fast way to lose it.

My advice

Use Threads DMs to carry on a conversation that started in public, not to cold pitch. Reply to someone's post first, then message them once there's a reason to. Your first message will probably land as a text-only request, so make it short, specific and easy to say yes to.

Frequently asked questions

How do I DM someone on Threads?

Tap Messages at the bottom, tap Compose in the top right, select the person, type your message and tap Send.

Why can't I see messages on Threads?

Instagram's help centre says messaging on Threads isn't currently available to everyone, so check for an app update.

Can I send photos in a Threads message request?

No. A message to someone who doesn't follow you is sent as a request and can only contain text until they accept.

Are Threads DMs the same as Instagram DMs?

No. Instagram says Threads conversations are separate, and messages sent on Threads won't appear in your Instagram chats.

Can I unsend a message on Threads?

Yes. Tap and hold the message in the conversation and tap Unsend. The other person may already have seen it.

How do I stop strangers messaging me on Threads?

Go to Profile, Menu, Privacy, Messages and choose Only people you follow under Who can message you.