How to Delete a Threads Account Without Deleting Instagram

Thinking about deleting your Threads account but worried it will take your Instagram profile down with it? This was a real concern when Threads first launched, but thankfully, things have changed. You absolutely can delete or deactivate your Threads profile independently from Instagram, and this guide will show you exactly how to do it.

Understanding the Link Between Threads and Instagram

When Meta launched Threads, they used Instagram as a launchpad to build a massive user base overnight. Your Threads account was - and still is - created using your Instagram login. In the beginning, this connection was so tight that the only way to delete your Threads profile was to also delete the Instagram account it was attached to. People were not happy about this.

After a wave of user feedback and criticism, Meta walked back this policy. They listened to their users and introduced a separate deletion process for Threads. Now, you have the freedom to decide what to do with your Threads presence without any risk to your years of photos, Reels, and connections on Instagram. This separation gives you two main options for stepping away from the app: deactivation (if you're just taking a break) or deletion (if you're leaving for good).

The Two Paths: Deactivating vs. Deleting Your Threads Profile

Before you get started, it's important to understand the difference between deactivating and deleting. One is a temporary pause button, while the other is a permanent stop.

• Deactivating your account is a reversible action. It effectively hides your profile, posts, replies, and likes from public view. No one can see your activity, but all your information is saved. If you ever decide to come back, you can simply log back in to reactivate your account and everything will be right where you left it.
• Deleting your account is permanent. After a 30-day grace period, all your data - your profile, posts, followers, and everything else - will be permanently wiped from Meta's servers. This action cannot be undone. If you change your mind later, you'll have to create a brand new account from scratch.

Choosing the right path depends entirely on your intentions. Want a social media detox? Deactivate. Sure you're done with Threads forever? Delete. Let's look at how to do both.

How to Deactivate Your Threads Profile (The Temporary Break)

If you think you might want to return to Threads in the future or just want to take a break without losing your content, deactivation is your best bet. It's a simple process that keeps your data safe while making your profile invisible. Best of all, you can deactivate your Threads account once per week.

Here's the step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Threads app and go to your profile by tapping the profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Tap the two horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top-right corner to open up your settings.
3. From the menu, tap on Account.
4. Select the Deactivate or delete profile option. This is where you'll choose between the two paths.
5. Tap the large button at the bottom that says Deactivate Threads profile.
6. A confirmation screen will appear explaining that deactivation is temporary and won't affect your Instagram account. Tap Deactivate to finalize the process.

That's it! Your Threads profile is now hidden from public view. Your Instagram account remains completely untouched and active. If and when you want to return, all you need to do is open the Threads app and log back in with your Instagram credentials to reactivate it instantly.

How to Permanently Delete Your Threads Profile (The Final Step)

If you've given Threads a try and decided it’s not for you, permanently deleting your account is the way to go. This will remove all your data for good, freeing up your digital space and giving you a clean slate. Remember, this is irreversible once the 30-day grace period is over.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Just like deactivating, start by opening the Threads app and heading to your profile (bottom-right icon).
2. Tap the menu icon (two lines) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Account from the menu.
4. Tap on Deactivate or delete profile.
5. Now, you'll need to look for the smaller text option below the main deactivation button. Tap on Delete profile.
6. You will be redirected from the Threads app to Instagram's Accounts Center in your browser to complete the final steps. Meta does this to securely manage account data tied to your overarching Meta account.
7. The screen will ask you to select a reason for deleting and re-enter your password to confirm your identity. Tap the Delete your Threads profile button to submit your request.

Once you confirm, the deletion process starts. Your profile and content will become invisible immediately, but Meta holds your data for 30 days. If you log back into Threads within this 30-day window, the deletion request will be canceled, and your account will be restored. If you don't log in during those 30 days, your account and all associated data will be permanently erased.

What If I Just Want to Remove Evidence of Threads from Instagram?

Maybe you don't want to leave Threads entirely, but you're not a fan of the little badge on your Instagram profile telling everyone you're on the app. An early promotion for Threads, the profile badge - a number showing how early you joined - was automatically added to users' Instagram bios. For many, it just added unnecessary clutter.

Thankfully, hiding this badge is incredibly simple and doesn't involve deactivating or deleting anything.

Here’s how to hide the Threads badge on Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile.
2. Tap the Edit Profile button located right below your bio.
3. In the profile settings, you'll see a toggle switch for Show Threads badge.
4. Simply tap the toggle to turn it off. The change is immediate.

This little adjustment gives you more control over your Instagram profile's appearance, letting you keep your Threads activity completely separate if you choose to.

Final Thoughts

Stepping away from a social media platform shouldn't feel complicated or risky. Fortunately, you now have complete control over your Threads account, with clear options to either deactivate it for a temporary break or delete it permanently, all without affecting your Instagram account.

We know that managing multiple social profiles can be demanding, which is often why people look to take a break from newer platforms in the first place. Keeping content consistent across Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and more is a real challenge. That’s precisely why we built Postbase - to pull your entire social media schedule into one visual calendar. You can plan content weeks ahead, schedule to all your profiles at once, and see exactly what's going live without drowning in spreadsheets and reminders.