Meta introduces new features for Instagram DMs, in-app gestures for Threads

Meta sure has been busy lately, having added a slew of features to the Instagram and Threads apps. Just last week, the company added a clever lock screen widget, tapping on which would directly open the Instagram app’s story camera.

This week, Meta has confirmed that Instagram users will soon also begin to see several new DM features, and that Threads will also be getting in-app gesture controls. Here’s all you need to know.

New Instagram features to look out for

Instagram is getting several new features for DM, all of which had previously made their way to WhatsApp. For starters, users will now get the option to edit messages for up to 15 minutes after they’ve sent them, similar to WhatsApp.

ALSO READ: Instagram will soon let AI do the talking for you in DMs

Secondly, users can now pin up to three messages on top of their inbox, should they need them for quick reference later.

What’s more, to protect their privacy, users will now also have the option to disable read receipts on their DMs. Lastly, any stickers they wish to save, they can now do so by simply tapping on them and hitting the option to save them.

New Threads features to look out for

Coming to Threads, the microblogging platform is getting clever new in-app gesture controls. These gestures will allow users to quickly like or hide posts, by swiping right or swiping left respectively. Bear in mind though, that the gestures currently work only in the “For You” tab on the app. It remains unknown as of now, whether these gestures will be added to other sections of the app in the future.

ALSO READ: Instagram Threads First Impressions: What makes this Twitter-clone different

The features, according to Meta, are aimed at improving the broader Instagram and Threads app user experience, and also give users more control over their accounts. The features, which were available only to a small group of beta testers until now, are now gradually being rolled out to users worldwide on both, Android smartphones and iPhones.