How to Join Threads, Meta’s New Alternative to Twitter (and Why You Can Wait)

This week Meta launched its new social media app called Threads. This network, similar to Twitter, allows users to post short text notes along with images and videos. It’s an obvious move to win over Twitter’s fractured user base, which is overwhelmingly opposed to many of the changes Musk has made since taking over the Bird app in 2022. Many users are moving to other Twitter-like apps , some of which have also only come into existence in recent months. Threads is the newest option, and with Meta behind it, it’s definitely a contender.

Unlike other alternatives to Twitter, Threads runs on an already existing social network, specifically Instagram (and Facebook). While this approach has its pros and cons, it gives Threads a big advantage over other Twitter clones: millions of users technically already have an account. It’s also easier to use than federated Twitter alternatives like Mastodon , and is public, unlike the noisy upstarts Bluesky and Spill, which are still in closed beta and require invite codes.

So while you’ll have to deal with the possibility that your Facebook and Instagram-loving relatives might find you and follow Threads, it’s by far the easiest of the new Twitter replacements to join right now – until then. as long as you don’t mind some of the app’s questionable privacy practices.

How to join and use themes

To sign up for Threads, you first need an Instagram account. If you already have it, all you have to do is download the Threads app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store . Sign in to your IG account when prompted.

You will then have the option to import your bio and profile picture from Instagram, and automatically follow everyone from your list of Instagram followers who have subscribed to topics.

After that, you can start posting…or “threading?” “Tweet?” I’m not entirely sure what else the user base has settled on.

Are streams good?

Getting started with Threads is easy, but what does it really feel like? To be honest, not great.

As someone with accounts in Bluesky, Hive, Spill, and now Threads, Threads is by far the least interesting Twitter replacement I’ve ever tried. By default, there is only one feed, sorted by algorithm, which shows people you follow and posts Threads thinks you might like based on your user data. (I hope you enjoy seeing the engagement bait from random accounts with huge followings.) There is currently no way to sort your feed chronologically or by followers only. You can change your settings to change the notifications the app sends you , but threads from people you don’t follow will still show up in your feed.

Twitter veterans will also notice the lack of shared features compared to the Bird app, such as DM or the ability to view replies right in your feed, to name but a few. Threads does have a search feature, but it’s primitive and mostly useful for looking up usernames.

Luckily, the app has several privacy controls, including the ability to mute and block accounts, hide certain words, restrict who can mention your account, and the ability to make your profile private. These can all be found in the app under Settings > Privacy.

The meta says more features are on the way, including a “subscribers only” tab for your feed, but to be honest, it’s not great right now, especially when compared to others like Bluesky or even Hive.

I’m willing to loosen up Meta a little about Threads’ subtle features and lack of curation options at launch, but there are other important caveats to be aware of before signing up.

What you need to know before using streams

The first is the Threads privacy policy. The app collects tons of user data – so much so that the app is banned in the EU at launch.

While you can restrict the collection of some data in your Instagram account settings or your phone’s permissions , certain data collection is required to use streams. Collecting such a large amount of personal data is a security concern, as leaks or leaks of data may result in the theft or disclosure of some of this data (or transfer to government and law enforcement without your knowledge).

Deleting your Threads account means deleting your Instagram as well.

If this concerns you, I recommend skipping Threads for now, especially since the only way to delete your Threads account is to delete your Instagram account as well. Yes indeed. At least for now. While you can deactivate your Threads account profile in Settings > Account > Deactivate Profile and delete the app from your phone, your account will exist until you delete Instagram completely, so before signing up make sure you really want to use Threads.