Meta begins testing direct messaging on Threads for web users
Users can currently access their inbox and toggle privacy settings, with group chats and further controls expected in future tests.
Meta has initiated a testing phase for direct messaging on Threads via web browsers, a capability previously restricted to mobile devices. While the feature remains limited to a select group during this rollout, the company indicates plans to expand access to a wider audience in the near future. This development marks a significant step for the platform, bringing core conversational tools to the desktop environment where many power users spend their time.
The current iteration allows users to view their inbox and message requests directly through the web interface. Similar to the mobile experience, the interface includes privacy toggles, enabling users to choose whether to accept direct messages from anyone or restrict them to people they follow. This functionality addresses a long-standing demand from the user base, with Connor Hayes, head of Threads, describing web-based messaging as the number one request since the feature launched on mobile nearly a year ago.
Hayes highlighted that highly engaged users often spend considerable time on the web version while at their desks, necessitating a robust conversation app for these extended sessions. The new update aligns Threads with market rivals such as X and Bluesky, which have long offered messaging capabilities on their desktop platforms. This strategic move aims to ensure the platform remains competitive as users seek seamless cross-device experiences for their social interactions.
Beyond one-on-one conversations, Meta is preparing to test group chats on the web, a feature that is already available to mobile users. The company is also working on additional controls for the messaging interface to further refine the user experience. These enhancements come alongside recent testing of a new visual design for the web platform, suggesting a broader effort to modernise the desktop interface.
Simultaneously, Threads is launching Live Chat features within the NBA Threads community during the Playoffs, allowing up to 150 active participants to interact. While this exclusive tool operates differently from the general messaging rollout, it underscores Meta's continued investment in real-time engagement features across its ecosystem. The integration of these various chat modes signals a push to make Threads a more versatile communication hub.
The exact timeline for the full public rollout of web direct messaging remains unspecified, with Meta describing the expansion only as happening "soon". The specific scope of the current testing group, including geographic regions or user segments, has not been detailed. Until further information is released, the feature remains an experimental addition to the web experience for those selected to participate in the test.
