Meta has officially launched Threads, its alternative to Twitter. However, users who are considering installing the social media app for a trial should be aware that deleting their Threads profile requires deleting their Instagram account as well.
Threads is described by Meta as “Instagram’s text-based conversation app,” and this precise phrasing holds significance. It signifies more than just the ability to use your Instagram username and follow the same people as on Instagram. It means that once you create a Threads profile, you cannot delete it without deleting your entire Instagram account.
For those who wish to exit Threads without eliminating their Instagram presence, the only available alternative is to “temporarily” deactivate their Threads profile. Meta encourages users to keep both accounts through this option. The privacy policy of Threads explicitly states, “You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.”
The lesson for Instagram fans is clear: if you don’t want a permanent Threads profile stored on Meta‘s servers, it is advisable to avoid signing up for Threads altogether. If it’s too late and you’re already using the app, the less-than-ideal alternative is to deactivate your Threads profile. Here are the steps to follow:
Open the Threads app and tap the profile icon located in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Tap the two-line menu icon situated in the top-right corner of your profile.
Select the Account icon and then tap on “Deactivate profile.”
Choose “Deactivate Threads profile” and confirm your decision.
Upon deactivating your profile, your posts and interactions with other users’ posts will no longer be visible until you reactivate your profile. However, it’s important to note that these posts will still exist on Threads’ servers unless you manually delete them one by one.
If you change your mind after deactivation, you can reactivate your Threads profile by logging back into the Threads app using your Instagram account. Please keep in mind that you can only deactivate your profile once per week.
