How to Use Threads — Instagram's Text App

Threads is Meta's text-based social network connected to Instagram. Learn how to set it up, post updates, and find people to follow.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Download the Threads app
2.Log in with your Instagram account
3.Set your privacy
4.Post your first thread
5.Find accounts to follow

Download the Threads app

~15s

Search for "Threads" in the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). The app is free. Look for the @ symbol logo. You can also use it at threads.net on any web browser.

Log in with your Instagram account

~21s

Tap "Log in with Instagram." Enter your Instagram username and password. Threads will pull in your profile photo and bio automatically. You will be asked whether to follow the same people you follow on Instagram — you can say yes or skip it.

Quick Tip

If you do not have Instagram, you can create a new Threads account with just your email.

Set your privacy

~15s

Go to your profile (bottom right) → the menu icon → "Privacy." Here you can set your profile to Public or Private. Public means anyone can see your posts. Private means only people you approve can follow you.

Post your first thread

~15s

Tap the pencil icon at the bottom center of the screen. Type your post — up to 500 characters. Add a photo or video with the attachment icon if you like. Tap "Post" to share it.

Find accounts to follow

~22s

Tap the magnifying glass icon to search for people or topics. You can search by name or keyword. Accounts you already follow on Instagram are easy to find here. Follow a mix of news, hobby, and local accounts to get a well-rounded feed.

Quick Tip

Tap the "For You" tab on the home screen to see posts recommended based on your interests — a good way to discover new accounts.

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Threads is a social media app from Meta — the same company behind Facebook and Instagram. It launched in 2023 and quickly became one of the fastest-growing apps ever, reaching 100 million sign-ups in its first five days.

The idea behind Threads is simple: it is like Instagram, but for text instead of photos. You post short text updates (up to 500 characters), reply to others, and follow accounts you are interested in. Photos and videos are supported too, but text is the focus.

Because Threads is connected to Instagram, signing up is very quick if you already have an Instagram account. Your Instagram username and followers can carry over automatically.

Threads is free and available on iPhone, Android, and the web at threads.net. It works well for keeping up with news, following public figures, sharing opinions, and having conversations — similar to what many people used Twitter for.

One important thing to know: Threads posts can be public (anyone can see them) or you can set your profile to private (only approved followers see your posts). If you use Instagram privately, you may want the same setting on Threads.

Many news organizations, public figures, sports teams, and local businesses now post on Threads. It is a good option if you want social media that feels lighter and less contentious than some other platforms.

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