How to Import a Twitter Following List to Bluesky

Transferring your carefully curated social graph from Twitter to Bluesky isn't as simple as clicking an import button, but it's absolutely possible with the right tools and strategy. While there’s no official feature to connect the two platforms, several clever third-party tools have emerged to bridge the gap. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to find and follow your Twitter community on Bluesky, helping you rebuild your network from the ground up.

Why You Can't Just 'Import' Your Following List

Before jumping into the "how," it helps to understand the "why." Bluesky and X (formerly Twitter) are direct competitors built on different technical foundations and owned by separate entities with no interest in helping users switch sides. There is no official API (Application Programming Interface) that allows one to seamlessly transfer data to the other. Think of it like trying to use a Starbucks gift card at a local coffee shop - they're in the same business, but their systems don't talk to each other.

This means any method for finding your Twitter friends involves a workaround. The good news is that these workarounds are safe, effective, and can save you hundreds of hours of manual searching. Your goal shouldn't be to "import" your list but to efficiently rebuild it on a new platform.

The Easiest Method: Using a Bridge Tool

The fastest and most popular way to find your Twitter connections on Bluesky is by using a "bridge" or "finder" tool. These services work by scanning your Twitter following list and cross-referencing it with Bluesky's user directory. They look for signals that link a Twitter account to a Bluesky account, most commonly when a user puts their Bluesky handle (e.g., @username.bsky.social) in their Twitter name, bio, or location.

There are several tools out there, but let's walk through the process using one of the most reliable options: Sky Follower Bridge.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Sky Follower Bridge

Step 1: Install the Browser Extension

Sky Follower Bridge requires a browser extension to communicate with the Bluesky website directly from your browser. This is what allows it to perform actions like following users on your behalf, so you don't have to click "follow" a thousand times.

• Navigate to the official website for Sky Follower Bridge.
• Find the download link for your browser (it's available for Chrome, Firefox, and other Chromium-based browsers like Edge).
• Follow the prompts to add the extension to your browser. You'll see its icon appear in your browser's toolbar.

Step 2: Sign In and Grant Permissions

Once the extension is installed, you'll need to grant it permission to access both your Twitter and Bluesky accounts. This is done through standard, secure authorization protocols (OAuth) that you've likely used to log into other apps with your Google or Facebook account. The tool only requests "read-only" access to your Twitter list, meaning it can see who you follow but can't post, message, or change anything on your account.

• Open the Sky Follower Bridge website.
• Click the button to "Sign in with X/Twitter." You will be redirected to Twitter to authorize the application.
• Next, it will prompt you to connect your Bluesky account. This step handles authentication locally in your browser via the extension, keeping your login details secure. You’ll need to input your Bluesky handle and an App Password.

Step 3: Generate Your App Password in Bluesky (Important!)

For security, you should never give a third-party tool your main Bluesky password. Instead, you'll generate a special "App Password" just for this tool. This way, if you ever want to revoke its access, you can just delete the app password without having to change your main password.

• In a new tab, open Bluesky and go to Settings.
• Navigate to the App Passwords section.
• Give the new password a name you'll remember, like "SkyFollowerBridge."
• Click "Create App Password." Bluesky will generate a unique password for you. Copy this password immediately! You will only be shown it once.
• Paste this App Password back into the Sky Follower Bridge setup page.

Step 4: Run the Scan and Start Following

With both accounts connected, you're ready to find your people.

• On the Sky Follower Bridge site, you'll see an option to find users you follow on Twitter who are also on Bluesky. Click to start the process.
• The tool will begin scanning your Twitter following list. This can take several minutes, especially if you follow thousands of people. Be patient and let it run.
• Once the scan is complete, it will present you with a list of everyone it found, complete with their Twitter and Bluesky profiles.
• You'll see a "Follow them on Bluesky" section. Here's where the magic happens. A "Follow All" button will appear. You can click this, and the extension will work in the background, automatically following each person on the list for you. Alternatively, you can go through the list and follow people individually.

That's it! In about 15 minutes, you can accomplish what would have taken days to do manually.

Make it Easy for Others to Find You

Rebuilding your community is a two-way street. While you're working to find your friends, you need to make it incredibly easy for them to find you. The same tools they're using to find their network will only ever find you if you've put up the right signals.

1. Update Your X/Twitter Bio and Name

This is the single most effective thing you can do. Add your Bluesky handle directly to your Twitter profile so finder tools can see it. Don't hide it in a link shortener or an image.

• In Your Bio: Add a line like "Also on Bluesky: @yourhandle.bsky.social".
• In Your Name: For maximum visibility, add your handle to your display name, e.g., "Your Name (@yourhandle.bsky.social)". People will see it every time you post or comment.

2. Pin a Post Announcing Your Move

Create a dedicated post with a direct link to your Bluesky profile and pin it to the top of your Twitter feed. Anyone who visits your profile will see it right away.

Hey everyone, I'm now active on Bluesky! Come find me and continue the conversation over there.

Follow me at: https://bsky.app/profile/yourhandle.bsky.social

Hope to see you there! #TwitterMigration #Bluesky

By using common hashtags, you also increase the chances of others on the move discovering your post.

3. Post About Bluesky Periodically

A single pinned post isn't enough. Many of your followers will miss it. Every few days, post a gentle reminder. The best way to do this without being repetitive is to show, not just tell. Share screenshots of interesting discussions you're having on Bluesky or talk about some of the cool custom feeds you've discovered. This creates intrigue and a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out), giving people a compelling reason to join you.

Beyond Following: How to Actually Rebuild Your Community

Getting your follow count back up is only half the battle. True community comes from engagement. Simply migrating a list of names doesn't migrate the relationships. Here’s how to kickstart your presence once you land on Bluesky.

Don't Just Lurk - Post Something Meaningful

Your first week on Bluesky sets the tone. Make your initial posts count.

• Write an Introduction Post: Re-introduce yourself. Talk about what you do, what your interests are, and what types of conversations you're hoping to have on Bluesky. Use a friendly photo and invite people to say hello. Use the hashtag #introduction.
• Ask Questions: The easiest way to start a conversation is to ask a question. It can be about anything from a professional topic related to your industry to a fun, low-stakes question about everyone's favorite weekend activity.
• Share Your Work (Gently): If you're a creator, artist, or business owner, share what you're working on. But frame it as sharing something you're excited about, not just a link drop.

Engage with Intention

The real magic happens in the replies. When you find one of your Twitter friends on Bluesky, don't just tap the follow button and move on. Take an extra 30 seconds to engage.

• Find a recent post of theirs that you find interesting.
• Leave a thoughtful reply. A simple "Hey, so glad I found you here!" goes a long way.
• This small gesture transforms a passive follow into a warm interaction and reminds them why they followed you in the first place.

Explore Custom Feeds

One of Bluesky's most powerful features is custom feeds. These are algorithmic timelines created by users, focused on specific topics like "Cats," "Design News," "Book Lovers," or "Tech." Joining a few of these feeds is the best way to find new, exciting accounts to follow beyond the people you already knew from Twitter. It helps you break out of your old bubble and build a community that feels fresh and aligned with your present interests.

Final Thoughts

Rebuilding your social network on a new platform like Bluesky takes a little effort, but it's far from impossible. By using bridge tools like Sky Follower Bridge to do the heavy lifting and making yourself visible to anyone looking, you can quickly reconnect with your core community. The key is to combine this technical efficiency with genuine engagement to turn a simple list of followers back into a vibrant, active network.

Once you are actively posting across an old platform like X and a new one like Bluesky - plus Instagram, TikTok, and Threads - keeping everything straight becomes a challenge. Juggling different content formats and posting schedules can turn into a full-time job. Having a central hub is key, and it's why we built Postbase. Our visual calendar lets you plan and see your entire multi-platform strategy at a glance, so you can build out your presence on new networks without letting your existing ones go dark. We help you schedule everything once and spend the rest of your time actually talking to your re-found community.