How to Sign Up for Threads

Ready to join the fastest-growing social media app? Signing up for Threads is incredibly simple, leveraging your existing Instagram account to get you into the conversation in minutes. This guide will walk you through every step of creating and customizing your Threads account, and then show you exactly what to do next to build your presence from day one.

What is Threads and Why Should You Care?

Threads is Meta's text-based conversational app, designed as a direct companion to Instagram and a major competitor to platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Think of it as the spot for real-time thoughts, industry insights, and casual conversations that might not fit the highly visual format of your Instagram feed. For brands, creators, and marketers, it represents a fresh start - an opportunity to connect with an engaged audience in a new context.

The biggest advantage? It's directly tied to your Instagram account. This integration isn't just a technical detail, it's a massive strategic benefit. You can instantly port over your username, profile picture, bio, and most importantly, your followers. That eliminates the cold start problem that plagues new social profiles, giving you an audience to talk to from the moment you sign up.

Three Reasons to Join Threads Right Now

• A Fresh Audience and High Reach: Early days on any new platform are a golden opportunity. The algorithm is often more generous, making it easier for your content to be discovered by new people outside your existing followership.
• Deeper Community Building: The conversational nature of Threads is perfect for building brand loyalty. Instead of focusing on perfectly polished photos, you can share behind-the-scenes thoughts, ask questions, and engage in genuine discussions with your followers.
• Seamless Integration with Instagram: The connection isn't a one-way street. You can easily share your Threads posts directly to your Instagram Stories, cross-promoting your new profile and bringing your audience along for the ride.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Signing Up for Threads

The standard and easiest way to create a Threads account is by using your existing Instagram profile. This is the path Meta designs for you and the one we highly recommend. Follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Download the Threads App

First things first, you need the app. Threads is a standalone mobile application, separate from Instagram.

• Head to the Apple App Store if you're on an iPhone.
• Go to the Google Play Store if you're on an Android device.

Search for "Threads, an Instagram app" to make sure you're getting the official application from Meta. Download and install it on your device.

Step 2: Log In Using Your Instagram Account

When you open the Threads app for the first time, you'll see a screen with a prominent button: "Log in with Instagram." If you're already logged into the Instagram app on your phone, Threads will automatically detect your primary account and display your username.

Simply tap on your username. If you manage multiple Instagram accounts, you’ll have the option to “Switch accounts” and log in with the specific profile you want to use for Threads.

The app will then ask to access some of your Instagram information to set up the profile. This is a standard permission screen that makes the next step seamless.

Step 3: Customize Your Profile (or Import It)

This is where you make your first decision. Threads gives you two options to get your profile set up quickly: import your details directly from Instagram or fill them in manually.

You’ll be presented with a screen showing:

• Name: This is pulled directly from your Instagram account and is not editable within Threads. If you want to change your name on Threads, you'll need to change it on Instagram first. This ensures brand consistency across the platforms.
• Bio: You have a choice here. You can tap "Import bio from Instagram" to bring over your existing bio with a single tap, or you can write a brand new one.
• Link: Just like with your bio, you can import the link from your Instagram profile or add a different one.

Pro-Tip: Customize Your Bio for a New Context

While importing is fast, consider writing a new bio tailored for Threads. Your Instagram bio might be optimized for driving traffic to a product page or highlighting visual services. Your Threads bio, however, could be more conversational. Try introducing yourself and the topics you'll be discussing on the platform. Something like, "Founder of [Brand]. Sharing unfiltered thoughts on marketing, building in public, and the future of social media." sets a great tone.

Step 4: Choose Your Profile Privacy

Next, you’ll choose whether you want a public or private profile.

• Public Profile: Anyone on or off Threads can see, share, and interact with your content. This is the recommended setting for almost all brands, creators, and businesses looking for growth. You want your content to be discoverable.
• Private Profile: Only your approved followers can see and interact with your content. This is generally better for personal use, not for building a brand.

Make your selection and tap "Next." You can change this setting at any time later in your privacy settings, so it's not a permanent decision.

Step 5: Follow Your Existing Contacts

This is the most powerful feature of the Threads onboarding process. The app will show you a list of all the accounts you currently follow on Instagram who are also on Threads.

You have two choices:

• Follow individuals: You can scroll through the list and tap "Follow" next to specific accounts.
• Follow All: At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a "Follow all" button. Tapping this sends a follow request to every single person from your Instagram following list who has a Threads account.

For brands and creators, hitting "Follow All" is a fantastic kickoff strategy. It immediately populates your feed with relevant content from people you already know and signals to the platform who you're connected with, which can help your own discoverability.

After this, you'll see a final screen explaining how Threads works. Tap "Join Threads," and you're in!

Can You Sign Up for Threads Without an Instagram Account?

This is a common question, and the answer is nuanced. As of now, you cannot create a standalone Threads account without an Instagram account. Threads is built as an extension of the Instagram ecosystem, not as an entirely separate entity.

Your Threads profile is fundamentally linked to its Instagram counterpart. This means:

• Your username is locked to your Instagram handle.
• Deleting your Instagram account will also permanently delete your Threads profile.

The "Fresh Start" Workaround

If you really want a Threads profile that isn't connected to your main Instagram brand or personal account, the only solution is to create a brand new Instagram account just for this purpose. You would create a new Instagram profile (e.g., @YourBrandThreads) and then sign up for Threads using that new, empty account.

The pros? You get a clean slate with a new identity.

The cons? You start with zero followers. You lose the massive advantage of porting over your existing audience, which is one of the platform's key benefits.

You've Joined Threads: Your First 24 Hours on the Platform

Okay, your account is live. What now? The first day is all about establishing your presence and starting conversations.

1. Craft Your First Thread

Don't overthink it. Your first post should be simple and get the ball rolling. Try one of these ideas:

• The Announcement: "Hey everyone, excited to be here on Threads! Looking forward to chatting about [Your Topic/Niche]."
• The Question: "Just joined Threads! What's the one thing you love most about this platform so far?"
• The Observation: "The energy in here feels very 2011-era Twitter. Here for it. What should I know?"

Feel free to include a relevant photo, GIF, or a short video to make your post stand out.

2. Find Your Voice

Threads is more laid-back than LinkedIn and less polished than the Instagram grid. This is your chance to show the human side of your brand. Share quick thoughts, ask for opinions, post memes, and reply to others more than you broadcast. The goal is conversation, not proclamation.

3. Join Existing Conversations

Your feed won't be empty since you followed all your Instagram contacts. Scroll through and find interesting discussions happening in your niche. Leaving thoughtful, valuable replies on other people's posts is one of the fastest ways to gain visibility and new followers organically. A good reply is often more powerful than a new post.

Final Thoughts

Creating a Threads account is a quick and simple way to tap into a growing audience, especially with the built-in advantage of the Instagram integration. Once you’re set up, you can start building a presence right away by focusing on authentic conversations and sharing your unique perspective.

After your Threads account is humming along, the real challenge is managing it effectively with your other social profiles. When building our social media management tool, we obsess over consolidating workflows to save you time. On busy days, I love that Postbase lets me see my scheduled content for Threads, Instagram, and TikTok all plotted out on one visual calendar. It helps spot gaps instantly, and our unified inbox means all my comments and DMs from every platform are in one spot, so engaging with my community feels organized, not chaotic.