Apparatus and method for alternate channel communication initiated through a common message thread

A method, comprising:

• identifying when a first participant at a first client device and a second participant at a second client device are actively viewing a common message thread, comprising a thread entry, at a same time;
• providing, in response to the identifying and without input from the first or second participants, for an alternate channel communication prompt and a lock prompt to be displayed together with the thread entry on the first client device,
• wherein the alternate channel communication prompt is user-selectable for alternate channel communication between the first and second client devices, and
• wherein the lock prompt is user-selectable for setting the alternate channel communication to a locked state;
• receiving, from the first client device, an indication of user selection of both the alternate channel communication prompt and the lock prompt by the first participant;
• and
• providing, in response to receiving the indication, for the alternate channel communication between the first and second client devices in the locked state.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations comprising;

• identifying when a first participant at a first client device and a second participant at a second client device are actively viewing a common message thread, comprising a thread entry, at a same time;
• providing, in response to the identifying and without input from the first or second participants, for an alternate channel communication prompt and a lock prompt to be displayed together with the thread entry on the first client device,
• wherein the alternate channel communication prompt is user-selectable for alternate channel communication between the first and second client devices, and
• wherein the lock prompt is user-selectable for setting the alternate channel communication to a locked state;
• receiving, from the first client device, an indication of user selection of both the alternate channel communication prompt and the lock prompt by the first participant;
• and
• providing, in response to receiving the indication, for the alternate channel communication between the first and second client devices in the locked state.