Instagram launches its Snapchat-inspired standalone messaging app ‘Threads’

Facebook isn’t done copying Snapchat. It has now introduced a “new” camera first-messaging app for Instagram called ‘Threads’. In essence, Threads is an extension of Instagram’s Direct inbox but only for the close friends list.

Threads by Instagram is available to download for users globally on both Android and iOS platforms. Unlike Instagram Direct, Threads lets users chat only with their close friends list. Introduced last year, Instagram’s close friends shows Stories separately only to those added in the list. Users can still edit their close friends list on Threads.

Instagram Threads opens up directly to its camera which is the key feature of this messaging app. There are no filters and stickers on Threads and the only edit tool is coloured text.