Threads Launches "Live Chats" Feature, Enabling Group Chatting During Major Events

Meta launched a new feature called Live Chats on its text-based social media platform Threads on Wednesday (22/4/2026). This feature enables users to chat in groups in real-time while major events are taking place. At first glance, this new feature resembles Instagram’s broadcast channels. However, it differs slightly because broadcast channels only support one-way communication. In contrast, Live Chats facilitate two-way interactions. Users can discuss directly with creators and other Threads users in a single public conversation space. Several creators and media figures are said to host this feature, including Malika Andrews, Rachel Nichols, Trysta Krick, David Rushing, and Lexis Mickens. For NBA fans wishing to join Live Chats in the NBAThreads community, the feature can be found at the top of the community feed or via links shared on the main Threads feed. Hosts can also schedule Live Chats through the community menu, setting the name, start and end times, and inviting participants. The feature can be shared to the Threads feed or Instagram Stories. Once a Live Chat is created, a red circle will appear on the host’s profile picture to indicate that the session is ongoing, allowing users to join the conversation immediately. The Live Chats feature is designed as a way to build communities based on shared interests. Meta states that this feature is more dynamic than regular group chats because Live Chats focus on discussing topics during a specific moment, rather than just exchanging messages. Meta has also added extra features, such as real-time polling, countdowns, and typing indicators, which can make discussions more interactive. In Live Chats, users can send text messages, photos, videos, links, and provide emoji reactions to ongoing conversations. Meta explains that if the chat capacity is full, users can still follow the discussion, give reactions, and participate in polls. It is also mentioned that Live Chats will remain accessible after the session ends. The feature is open, so users do not need to be part of the community to interact. Additionally, Meta will introduce the ability to quote and share messages from Live Chats to the Threads feed. For now, Live Chats are initially available only in the NBAThreads community and for certain creators, including active Community Champions in Threads communities. Meta promises that the feature will be rolled out gradually to more Threads communities in the coming weeks, as gathered by KompasTekno from Meta’s official blog.