Threads gets in-app swipe controls to like and hide posts on iOS

Instagram rolled out several DM features yesterday to improve user experience. However, this isn't the only Meta app that received some love, like its sister app, Topicsalso received a small but handy update designed to streamline the way you interact with it.

The latest Threads iOS update (v 321.0) introduces new swipe controls to the app, making it easier than ever to navigate the “For You” feed. Several Threads users have mentioned this new feature, along with screenshots and screen recordings showing how it currently works for them. However, neither the @Threads account nor Instagram Head @Mosseri made an official announcement.

That said, from what we can see, it appears to have similar functionality to iOS Twitter apps from back in the day, like Tweetbot, and current iOS Mastodon apps, like Ivory-offer. Swipe right to like the post and swipe left to hide it. Simple.

However, there's a small caveat to this nifty little addition: swipe gestures only work in the “For You” feed, which leaves room for a lot of speculation as to why it was only implemented nowhere else on the app. In addition to the “For You” algorithmic feed, Threads has a “Following” tab, which includes posts from those you actually follow. This was added to the app following user protests when the app launched, and from what we can tell, it's the preferred way to browse the app's content.

We hope that the current limitations of the feature will eventually be expanded to allow for a more customizable experience. Threads has already rolled out features as a test, so it's possible this will happen in the future. In the meantime, if you want to try, go to the iOS app store and install or update to the latest version of the app. Once you've done that, you can start using the new features and provide feedback based on your experience.