Build an App Like Threads: What Features to Include and Technology to Focus On

Building an app like Threads requires more than cloning features. It demands strategic tech choices and user-focused design. This guide reveals how to build and scale a Threads-like app.

Launching a new app that rivals top social media platforms like Instagram Threads takes more than just a good idea—it demands smart choices in features, design, and technology. If you're a developer, founder, or product lead trying to figure out how to build something similar, this blog is for you.

We’ll break down what made the Threads app tick: from integration with the Instagram account ecosystem to handling scaling challenges faced by a small team. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap of what to build, which tech to use, and how to plan your app for text-based sharing.

Core Features to Include in an App Like Threads

To build a competitive social media platform, the app must support a seamless, scalable, and engaging user experience centered around text-based content. Here's a breakdown of the features that the Threads team prioritized and why each is significant.

1. Onboarding With Instagram Account Integration

• Why it matters: Threads relies heavily on Instagram's user base. Linking to an Instagram account eliminates friction in sign-up and allows users to automatically follow the same accounts.

• Technology: OAuth2-based authentication and secure API hooks into Instagram app for access tokens and profile data.

2. Threaded Conversations & Replies

• Function: Users can post text updates, images, or videos and receive threaded replies, similar to Twitter.

• Data Model: Relational structure to link parent and child posts.

• Backend: NoSQL (like DynamoDB or Firestore) for quick access, or GraphQL APIs for flexible querying of threads.

3. Feed Rendering: Home, Following, and Discover

• Feeds needed:

  • Home Page Feed: Mix of recommended and followed content.

  • Following Feed: Chronological feed from followed users.

  • Trending Feed (Discover): For new public conversations.

• Technology:

  • Backend: Kafka pipelines for real-time feed personalization.

  • Frontend: Jetpack Compose (Android) or SwiftUI (iOS) for reactive rendering.

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4. Profiles & Identity

• Features:

  • Profile picture, bio, threads account username

  • Sync from Instagram or custom profile creation

• Keep a consistent account identity with support for the same accounts across mobile apps.

5. Notifications and Engagement

• Real-time updates when someone replies or follows

• Buttons underneath posts: Like, repost, reply, share

Tip: Use Firebase Cloud Messaging or Apple Push Notification Service to support millions of concurrent users.

Technologies to Focus On

Creating a new app like Threads involves heavy lifting in backend scalability, frontend rendering, and seamless third-party integrations.

Backend Stack

Frontend Stack

• Android: Jetpack Compose for reactive UI

• iOS: SwiftUI

• Web Version: React or Next.js for text-based interactions and browsing threads

Observability & App Health

• Tools: Datadog, Grafana, Prometheus

• Metrics to monitor:

  • Post success rate

  • Feed latency

  • App health indicators like crash-free sessions

Product Strategy Insights from Threads Launch

Threads launched in early July had three key advantages:

1. Built-in user graph from Instagram

2. Seamless onboarding from other apps within Meta

3. Ability to repurpose content from Instagram and Instagram stories

Importance of "Code Wins Arguments"

The Threads team follows the principle that code wins arguments. This means engineers and product teams move fast, prototype independently, and let working software prove a point.

Launching and Scaling the App

• Initial launch should target minimal friction: instant sign-up, no email validation delays.

• Social media growth depends on virality — implement shareable links, repost options, and integrations with other creators.

• Prioritize app built performance: <100ms response time on feeds.

What Not to Ignore

• Web version must arrive soon after mobile, or users lose interest

• Build features that enable people to express themselves freely and keep joining public conversations

UI/UX Must-Haves

• Clean Feed Layout with buttons underneath every post

• Clear distinction between post, reply, and repost

• Use a text-based over a visual-heavy layout for clarity

• Ability to spend time meaningfully by threading multiple posts

Closing Thoughts

To make an app like Threads, focus on how Instagram threads optimized every part of their app-building process, from technical work by small teams to rapid integration with the Instagram account system. Use the Threads model to learn how social media platforms can scale a new app globally by letting code win arguments and encouraging public conversations through a mobile-first, standalone app design.

By aligning fast product iterations with the Meta mindset, your next social media product might just follow the path of Threads.