TechPhonesWhat is Threads and how to sign upMeta’s Twitter killer is now live and gaining users quickly, here’s how to get in on the actionWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechPhonesWhat is Threads and how to sign upMeta’s Twitter killer is now live and gaining users quickly, here’s how to get in on the actionWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Meta’s Twitter killer is now live and gaining users quickly, here’s how to get in on the action
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
Threads has finally arrived. TheTwitter rivalfrom Facebook owner Meta is available in both theAppleandGoogleapp stores, foriOSandAndroidrespectively, and it’s already had more than 10 million users sign up.
That’s largely thanks to the sign-up process being made extremely easy. It’s also partly thanks to the sweeping changes Elon Musk has made to Twitter since he bought it, including restricted access to tweets for non-verified users.
Here then is our quick and simple guide on how to sign up for a Threads account, and a few initial tips.
What is Threads?
Threads is effectively Meta’s answer to Twitter. It allows you to post Threads (ie. tweets) of up to 500 characters, and add a photo if you like.
Where it differs is that it can also be intrinsically linked to your Instagram account - including all the contacts you’ve already established.
This makes it more useful from the get-go, especially in comparison with the likes ofMastodonand the invite-onlyBluesky.
There are some features we’d like to see that are missing right now. For example, while you can add your own photos and videos to a Thread, there doesn’t seem to be a way to instantly use GIFs (unless you have them stored on your phone already).
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However, the user interface is clean and within minutes of signing up, our feed was full of Threads from numerous accounts we follow.
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
(Image credit: Rik Henderson / Future)
How to sign up for Threads with an Instagram account
If you are an Instagram account holder it is dead simple to sign up to Threads.
Download the Threads app from your respective app store foriPhoneorAndroid.
Now tap the “Bio” block and wither write a new biography for your account, or tap “Import bio from Instagram” to use your existing text. Tap “Done”.
You can repeat the same process for a link if you want to include one.
Now hit “Import from Instagram” back on the profile page. Then hit “Next”.
This next page asks whether you want your profile to be public or private. Tap “Next” after you have chosen.
You can now choose to follow any or all of the same accounts you follow on Instagram. Either tap “Follow” next to each, or “Follow all” at the bottom of the page.
Finally, there are some guidelines that pop-up. Tap “Join Threads” once you are ready. Job done.
How to sign up to Threads without an Instagram account
Sadly, there is currently no way to join Threads without setting up an Instagram account first.
Threads: a couple of tips
Here’s a couple of tips to help you get started with Threads.
Don’t turn on notifications for the first couple of days
We advise you resist the temptation to turn on notifications when it first starts up, especially if you have a lot of Instagram contacts. Otherwise, youriPhoneor Android device will be pinging more often than a Microwave testing facility. It’s very distracting.
You can always turn on notifications in your phone’s settings later.
Switching between two Threads accounts
Although Threads allows you to create multiple accounts (one for each Instagram account you run), there doesn’t yet seem to be an easy way to switch between them, save for logging out of one and logging back in with the other.
To log out, hit the profile icon in the bottom right-hand corner of the app, and then the two lines in the top right-hand corner on your profile page. This will give you a “Log Out” option.
You can then tap “Switch accounts” on the main homescreen.
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