The Threads app which was launched to rival SnapChat is an Instagram companion that let users to share text, videos, and photos with your close friends.
"Thread is a standalone app designed with privacy, speed, and your close connections in mind," Instagram's director of product Robby Stein said. "You can share photos, videos, messages, Stories, and more with your Instagram close friends list."
Threads is all about three things; the camera (for photos and videos), messages and Status. For the camera, users can easily access Threads from their camera app to share photos and videos. While there isn't any filter for your photos, the app offers customizable shortcuts for your close friends whose profile picture is placed right on the bottom of the camera screen to easily send photos or videos.
For the messages, Threads you can access your direct Instagram messages on the Threads app which is limited to your close friends alone.
"You can use Threads to message those people on your Instagram close friends list and you'll have a dedicated inbox and notifications just for them," Stein said.
Since Threads is all about "your smaller circle of friends," users are in full control of who can reach them and as well whom they want to interact with.
"You are in control of who can reach you on Threads, and you can customize the experience around the people who matter most," Stein said.
Last on the list is Status. Threads gives users the option of automatically sharing status updates including where they are, at the cafe or on the go without sharing exact locations. There are pre-populated statuses that Instagram has created which users can choose from, or just pick an emoji and a few words to create a Status.
Users will decide for how long they want to keep the Status visible between one to four hours.
"You can choose from a suggested status, create your own or turn on Auto Status, which automatically shares little bits of context on where you are without giving away your coordinates," Stein said.
"Only your close friends will see your status, and it's completely opt-in."
Based on Facebook's past histories with user data, this features raises privacy concerns on the safety of user's data, Facebook insists users data are in safe hands.
"Status was created with you in mind - you control whether you share your status and with whom. Learn more about privacy and Threads here."
Threads is available for Android and iOS users.