Threads announced updates to its live chat feature on Tuesday, including group reactions, the option to raise a virtual hand and web-based group chats.
Launched in April 2025, Threads live chats offer expanded community engagement and facilitate real-time discussion. The feature also enhances in-app connection in the app. Similar to video live-streams, Threads live chats are text-based group discussions hosted within the app’s DM element, which provide a separate discussion space away from the main timeline.
The updates provide additional participation options to make live chats feel more lively and engaging.
First, as shown in the first image above, Threads is launching live reactions, which will enable chat participants to share a reaction that all participants can see.
As explained by Threads: “Live Reactions [are] a new way to react to the whole moment (not just individual messages) — anyone can share a live emoji reaction to everyone at once, and watch it float up the screen in real time.”
The feature is similar to the reactions available in other apps’ video live chats and offers a means to interact with the broader discussion group, as opposed to adding a reaction to an individual post.
The second image above shows the new raise hand feature, which will enable live chat participants to indicate that they want to join the discussion.
That could be helpful for live chats where the chat creator has limited the number of participants.
Threads live chats are also coming to the web, which Threads says is one of its most-requested feature updates.
Finally, Threads is expanding live chats to users in Australia as the app continues to steadily expand access.
Threads said live chats have become a valuable element of its broader app experiences, with many trending topics and events sparking lively chat groups.
“From Coachella and KATSEYE to the NBA, World Cup and Jay-Z, Live Chats have spanned music, sports and fandom, while Threads has continued to build on the experience with new ways to discover conversations, participate and bring more people into the moment,” Threads said in a press release.
On this front, Threads is also partnering with creators to launch live chats for the television show “Dancing with the Stars” as well as for the WNBA Playoffs, adding more opportunities for group discussion and topical engagement.
Threads Chief Connor Hayes said in a Tuesday post on the app that the aim of live chats is to make Threads feel timely and to help users find conversations about what’s happening in the world.
