Facebook launches Threads for Instagram, a new camera-first messaging app

Over the last few years, Facebook introduced several new ways to share visually on Instagram and connect with people you care about – from sharing everyday moments on Stories to visual messages on Direct.

But sometimes you want to just stay connected to a smaller circle of friends and share things with them only; things you might not want everybody else to see.

To provide a solution to that problem, Facebook built Threads for Instagram – a new way to message close friends in a dedicated, private space, “designed with your privacy, speed and your close connections in mind.”

Director of product, Robby Stein, explains that it’s a separate smartphone app based on the same principles as Instagram’s Close Friends feature. He adds:

“Threads is the fastest way to share a photo or video with your close friends on Instagram. Messages from your close friends list will appear in both Threads and Direct, so you have full control over how and with whom you want to interact.”

What can you do Facebook’s new Threads for Instagram?

Send messages only to your Close Friends

Facebook introduced Close Friends last year, a feature used for sharing more personal moments with a select group of people you choose. ‘Regular friends’ won’t see what you share with close friends.

Now, you can use Threads to message those people on your Instagram Close Friends list, but you’ll have a dedicated inbox and notifications just for them. Isn’t that neat?

If you don’t have a list set up yet, you can make one directly from Threads when you download the app.

Share photos and videos instantly

With Threads, you’ll be able to share photos and videos with your loved ones even faster now. The app will open directly to the camera, which allows you to add shortcuts.

That way, you can share what you’re doing easily, in just two steps. No more opening camera, taking photos, selecting the option of how to share. That’s so 2018, anyway.

Find out what friends are up to with status

Users want an easier way to keep up with their friends throughout the day – especially when they don’t have the time to send a photo or have a conversation.

This is where the Status features come in handy. There are suggested statuses – Studying, for example – but you’ll also be able to create your own or select the Auto Status.

The latter will automatically share little bits of context on where you are without giving away your coordinates, because, you know, safety is still an issue.

Only your close friends will see your status, and it’s completely opt-in. You are at all times in control of whether you share your status and with whom. Learn more about privacy and Threads here. 

Continue using Direct messages with Threads for Instagram

According to Facebook, “Threads offers a new, dedicated home for your favourite conversations”. Messages from your close friends list will appear in both Threads and Direct

That means you’ll have full control over how much you want to share, and who you want to connect with. Are you excited yet? Threads began rolling out globally on 3 October 2019.

Also read – Safety tips for parents with teens on Facebook and Instagram