Instagram internally tests new Snapchat rival app

February 10, 2026 - 03:32

Meta is quietly developing a new social application focused on ephemeral content, a move that positions it as a potential challenger to platforms like Snapchat. Currently named internally as "Threads," this prototype is designed for sharing disappearing photo and video messages with close friends lists.

The project, confirmed by company spokespeople, remains in an early internal testing phase. It is not yet available to external testers or the public, indicating that a public launch is not imminent. The development highlights Meta's ongoing strategy to innovate and capture different segments of the social media landscape, particularly among younger users who favor more private, casual sharing.

This initiative follows Meta's history of testing standalone apps that complement its core platforms like Instagram and Facebook. The focus on impermanent messaging suggests a continued interest in formats that promote spontaneous, lower-pressure sharing. Whether this prototype will ever see a full public release remains uncertain, as the company frequently experiments with concepts that do not always reach the market.