Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, has recently launched a new microblogging app called Threads. This app is deeply integrated into the Instagram network and requires an Instagram account to get started. If you’re interested in trying out Threads, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to sign up and start using the app.
To begin, make sure you have an Instagram account. If you don’t, you can easily sign up for one and set up your profile. Once you have an Instagram account, follow these steps to sign up for Threads:
1. Install the Threads app on your Android or iOS device.
2. Launch the app and you’ll be prompted to log in with your Instagram account.
3. If you don’t see your Instagram account listed on the Threads login screen, ensure that you are logged into Instagram on your device and then relaunch the Threads app.
4. Once you’ve selected your Instagram account from the login screen, you’ll be prompted to customize your Threads profile. Your username will be imported from your Instagram account, but you can add a bio or a custom link to your Threads profile. Alternatively, you can tap the Import from Instagram button to import your profile data from Instagram.
5. Next, you’ll see the privacy options screen. Here, you can choose to make your Threads profile public or private. This setting can be different from your Instagram privacy settings. Select either Public profile or Private profile to continue.
6. On the following screen, you’ll be asked to follow the same accounts you follow on Instagram. You can manually select individual accounts to follow on Threads or tap Follow all to automatically follow all the accounts you’re already following on Instagram.
7. Once you’ve completed these steps, your Threads account will be set up and ready to use. You’ll likely see a welcome screen explaining how Threads works. Simply click through this screen to access your Threads timeline.
Now that your Threads account is set up, you may be wondering how to use the app. Threads is quite similar to Twitter, but there are some differences in how it functions. Here’s a guide on how to create a post on Threads:
1. From anywhere in the Threads app, tap the Create icon located at the center bottom of your screen. This will bring up the thread creation screen.
2. Start typing in the text area. If your text exceeds the character limit, tap Add to thread to create a new text block. Threads posts have a maximum limit of 500 characters.
3. In the bottom left corner of the thread creation screen, you’ll find the Anyone can reply option. You can choose who can reply to your threads by selecting either People you follow, People you mention, or leaving it open to anyone, which is the default option.
4. Finally, tap Post in the bottom right corner to publish your post.
It’s also worth noting that if you want to change your Threads username or profile picture, you’ll need to make those changes on your Instagram account since Threads is closely tied to Instagram.
Threads has the potential to become a real competitor to Twitter in the microblogging space. While other apps have attempted to challenge Twitter’s dominance, Threads stands out due to the financial backing and publicity provided by Meta. Only time will tell how well Threads will fare against Twitter.
In conclusion, signing up for and using Threads is a straightforward process that requires an Instagram account. The app allows you to create posts and customize your profile. With its similarities to Twitter, Threads has the potential to offer a unique microblogging experience. Whether it becomes a true rival to Twitter remains to be seen.
