Meta has officially launched its Twitter rival, Threads, and the app already has more than 70 million signups in less than 48 hours. If you need help joining Threads, we have prepared a guide to help you learn how to install and sign up for Threads on your Android and iOS devices. The app has similar functionality to Twitter, based on a scrolling feed primarily focused on text-based messages.
However, the app still does not support most features, like direct messages, for which the company suggests using Instagram DM. Also, this is pre-bake, as the app was yet to be scheduled to launch but launched earlier because of the opportunity that Twitter created. The Twitter limitation on using Twitter prompted users to seek alternatives, and Threads has been better than others on the market with excellent infrastructure.
Currently, Threads does not have a web-based app, which means you can exclusively use the app on mobile. The app is available for Android and iOS platforms and uses an Instagram account linked to Threads. Today, in this article, we will share how to start with Threads, an Instagram app.
How to Download and Install Threads, an Instagram App
- Start by opening the Google Play Store or Apple App Store based on your device.
- Next, search for Threads, an Instagram app, and then tap on the app in the results.
- After that, install the app on your device.
- Once installed, you can continue to log in or sign up for Instagram to start using threads.
How to Sign Up for Threads or Log In to Threads
To use Threads, users are required to have an Instagram account.
- After installing Threads on your device, launch the Threads app.
- Next, it will ask you to sign in with your Instagram account, or you can log in with another Instagram account to switch accounts.
- After that, you will be asked to set up your Threads account. You can manually enter your bio, link, and profile picture or import them from Instagram.
- You can not change your username. To change your username, you must make adjustments in the Instagram app, which will reflect on your Threads account.
- After confirming your Threads username, bio, link, and profile picture, click the “Continue” button.
- It will then ask you to choose your account privacy option. You can choose a public profile, which allows anyone to interact with your Instagram account, or a private profile, which only allows your contacts or followers to interact with your account.
- Next, click the “Continue” button, which will show recommendations of accounts you may want to follow, including those you follow on Instagram.
- After choosing, click the “Forward” button in the upper-right corner.
- That is it! Tap on the “Join Threads” button.
This is how you can join threads and start engaging in other conversations. You should know that you can only deactivate your Threads account individually, but you cannot delete your Threads account unless you delete your Instagram account.
How to Use Threads
At the bottom of the navigation, you can find all the essential interactions: Home, Search, New Thread, Activity, and Profile.
- Home: Here is your chronological feed, where you can find all the posts from users you follow or recommend on Instagram.
- Post: You can like, comment, report, and share your desired posts. The company is working on a feed where you can only check the posts from users you follow.
- Search: As of now, you can only search for profiles.
- New Thread: To create a post, click the “Post” button; from there, you can post by typing up to 500 words. You can include links, photos up to 10, and videos up to 5 minutes. Do not use hashtags, as they are not supported yet, but you can mention the Threads account by using “@.”
- Activity: On the activity page, you can check notifications for users you follow, replies to your posts, followers, mentions, and activity from verified users.
- Profile: Lastly, you have the option of a profile, where you can see your follower count and posts. You can also see your images, bio, and link on the profile, but you can also edit them by clicking on “Edit Profile” or share them by clicking on “Share Profile.”
Thread settings
There are a few things you need to know about thread settings that you can adjust for a better experience. You can access thread settings by clicking on the triple-horizontal icon in the upper-right corner.
- Notifications: From there, you can adjust the notification alert to manage notifications for threads, replies, and following followers.
- Privacy: This setting allows you to make your private or public account private. At the bottom, you also have two settings, one for blocking profiles and the other for hiding likes.
- Account: Be cautious when deactivating or setting up 2FA and a password, which also applies to Instagram.
Make changes to these settings based on your preferences.
Edit Your Thread Profile
To change your profile information, head to the profile in your Thread. There, you can find the Edit profile option. From there, you can update your bio, add links, remove or add a profile picture, or even import from Instagram.
You cannot change or tweak your username in threads. However, you can change your username on your Instagram account, which will reflect on your thread profile.
Set a limit on threads.
If you want to take a break, you can set a reminder to take a break every 10 to 30 minutes, which can be found in Thread’s settings.
- Open Threads, head to the profile, and open settings from there.
- Next, go to your account and tap Take a Break.
- After that, set a time range for taking a break.
- That is it!
Delete Your Thread Account
You cannot delete your Thread account without deleting your Instagram account, but you can deactivate it.
- Open Threads, and then go to your profile in the bottom-right corner.
- Afterwards, click the triple horizontal line icon in the upper-right corner to go to Settings.
- Now, go to the account and then hit Deactivate Profile.
- Tap on the Deactivate Thread profile and confirm your actions.
- That is it!
If you want to delete your account, you must delete your Instagram account.
What are the Thread and Instagram apps?
The company has reportedly been working on a Twitter alternative amid all the changes Twitter has made since Elon Musk’s takeover in January 2023. After the opportunity where Twitter temporarily restricted users from checking Twitter posts for free, it is 600 posts per day, which does not need to be more.
The company will leverage Instagram’s massive username of 1.3 billion active users last year. Twitter has 259 million daily active users, and Mastodon has 13 million accounts. Thread and Instagram have minor distinctions, as you can post 500 characters, including links, up to 10 photos, and videos up to 5 minutes on Thread, while on Twitter, it is less.